Port Harcourt
Categories: Nigeria geography stubs | Cities in Nigeria | Coastal cities | Nigerian state capitals
Port Harcourt is a city located in the Niger Delta in Nigeria, with an area of 924,000 km². It is the administrative center of the Rivers state. Port Harcourt was founded by the British in 1912 on land originally inhabited by the Ijaw people and named for Lewis, Viscount Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies (1910–15).
The initial purpose of the port was to export coal that arrived in large quantities from the mining town of Enugu to the north via the Bonny River along which the port sits. It has a population of 1,133,400 (as of 2004). Business related to the petroleum industry is conducted here. Port Harcourt is the chief oil-refining city in Nigeria, oil being one of Nigeria's most important commodities. There is also a fishing industry and a fish market.
Attractions in the city include a museum. The city is also a transport hub with an Port Harcourt International Airport, a railway line to Maiduguri and ferries to Nembe, Bonny Island and Brass Island.
The current governor is Dr Peter Odili of the Peoples Democratic Party, who won the election for a second term in 2003.
Port harcourt is also one of the centers for strong pentecostal christian growth in the region. Several large chruches such as Royal House of Grace International Chruch and Abundant Life Evangel Mission headed by apostle Zilly Aggrey and apostle Eugene Ogu respectively. has done a great job in bring the people together in unity which surpasses the restivness of the youth in the region.
It also has some of the best secondary schools in the region. Some of which are Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School, Emarid College, Bereton and Royal Girls Academy. Some of its highly recongmized public schools are: Comprehensive Secondary School, Government Secondary School, Enitonia High School, Baptist High School, Holy Roasry Secondary just to mention a few.
Port Harcourt is also a place for recreation and great nightlife. Some clubs and bars to note are: The Muriella, Night Box, Bottleggers. And some nice fast food and resturants are Jevinik, Mr. Biggs,Skippers, Chicken Lickin and Eltees.
it:Port Harcourt nl:Port Harcourt pl:Port Harcourt pt:Port Harcourt