Calabar (also referred to as Callabar, Calabari, Calbari, Cali and Kalabar)[3] is the capital city of Cross River State, Nigeria.

Calabar was once described as the tourism capital of Nigeria,[5] especially due to several initiatives implemented during the administration of Donald Duke as the Governor of Cross River State (1999–2007).

When Portuguese explorers in the 15th century reached this part of the Guinea coast, they called the tribes of the area "Calabar".

[13] In 1815 HMS Comus, as part of the British blockade of Africa, sailed into Duke Town, where she captured seven Spanish and Portuguese slave ships.

On 10 September 1884, Queen Victoria signed a treaty of protection with the king and chiefs of Akwa Akpa, known to Europeans as Old Calabar—then the official title to distinguish it from New Calabar to the east.

In addition to letters and parcels, it also delivered newspapers, and cargo and carried up to 100 passengers to Lagos, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

The people reacted with strong protests, which Nigerians call the "Women's War", for many of its leaders, and the British termed the "Aba Riots".

In October 1967, an armada of the Nigerian Navy left the harbour of Bonny on a naval campaign en route to Calabar.

Less than 24 hours later, the Nigerian 8th Battalion under the command of Major Ochefu went ashore at Lokoja and captured the Calabar cement factory.

[25] The port of Calabar's profile in the oil and gas industry is fast gaining traction as the business is to capitalise on import and export opportunities by providing an efficient port service system that guarantees fast turnaround time of vessels and faster cargo clearance.

[28] One exhibition shows the various means of payment used in the slave trade, from copper bars, manillas and Danish guns to brass bells, gongs, flutes and more.

[28] Finally, another exhibition traces the efforts of abolitionists such as William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson and Granville Sharp, who saw the slave trade as morally reprehensible and a matter of natural rights.

[29] The National Museum of Calabar was flat packed, shipped from Britain and built-in 1884[30] (it is sometimes incorrectly stated to have been built in 1959).

It was formerly the government building or the governor's residence during colonial rule, which was built in Britain and then shipped in parts to Calabar.

The Calabar National Museum is made of old Scandinavian pine and has preserved centuries-old relics, especially documents, furnishings and artefacts from the colonial era.

The Calabar National Museum, designed and built by the colonisers in Glasgow, houses souvenirs from the slave trade.

[34] Mary Slessor's House, built around 1880 in Akpap Village, Calabar, Cross River State, is one of the monuments dedicated to her memory.

[35] When Southern Nigeria became a British protectorate, Miss Slessor acted as a female magistrate and skilful diplomatic ambassador.

Tastefully decorated to artfully showcase and embellish the rich history and culture of Cross River, it provides an excellent backdrop for carefree moments.

The colonial-inspired themed bars are set in beautiful landscaped gardens and offer panoramic views of the river.

Drills orphaned by hunting are donated by local citizens or handed over after confiscation by the authorities; no animals are bought or taken from the wild.

Drills have reproduced poorly in western zoos, but the DRBC has recorded over 250 births from rehabilitated wild-born parents and their offspring, making the project the world's most successful captive breeding programme for an endangered primate.

As the closest relatives of humans, chimpanzees contribute greatly to the education of visitors by arousing interest and sympathy for the animal world.

Today, the "Drill Ranch Calabar" serves as the project's headquarters, office, quarantine centre for new animals and veterinary practice, as well as accommodation for the managers and rotating volunteer staff.

With its beautiful coastline, Ibeno offers endless natural opportunities for tourism, water sports, beach football and boating.

The Kanyang Tourist Village, about an hour's drive from Calabar, will provide visitors with a base from which to visit the park and will have a lodge, restaurant and wildlife museum.

Activities include game viewing, bird watching, gorilla tracking, mountain climbing or hiking, sport fishing, boat cruises and the Botanical Gardens and Herbarium at Butatong.

[27][48] The Calabar Carnival lasts for the entire month of December and is divided into As Nigeria's income is almost exclusively derived from oil and its resources must be protected for national reasons, the Nigerian government has always relied on a strong navy.

Founded in 1895, the Hope Waddell Training Institution was renovated after a long period of neglect and is once again functioning as a high school.

It emphasises the importance the Nigerian Navy places on providing excellent healthcare to members of the armed forces and society at large.