Calabar

Port and capital of Cross River State, southeast Nigeria, on the Calabar River (a tributary of the Cross River), 64 km/40 mi from the Atlantic Ocean; population (2007 est) 479,300. Rubber, timber, vegetable oils, and cement are exported. It was a centre of the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Formerly known as Old Calabar, it became a pioneer centre of the palm oil trade and an important missionary and administrative centre during the late 19th century. Its trading position declined with the growth of the harbour at Port Harcourt, but it retains its position as state capital. Calabar University is here.