Jos

Town and capital of Plateau State, central Nigeria, lying 1,300 m/4,265 ft above sea level, at the northern tip of the Jos plateau; population (2007 est) 860,900. Tin and columbite are mined in the area. The town is a popular hill resort.

Jos developed as a tin-mining town in the early 20th century, particularly after its railway link to the south of the country was completed in 1927. Nigeria is the world's sixth-largest producer of tin concentrates, and the smelter established at Jos in 1962 processes most of the ore. Over 95% of the world's production of columbite, a rare mineral, comes from the Jos area. The University of Jos was founded in 1974.

The surrounding plateau was once a refuge for small tribal groups, but is now valuable grazing country for Fulani cattle, with some small-scale dairying.