[6][7] Offshore, the state is also biodiverse as there are populations of Lesser African threadfin, crabs, and blue mussel along with various cetacean species.

However, colonial forces did not gain permanent control of modern-day Delta State until the 1910s, due to the uprisings of the Ekumeku Movement.

Notably, Delta has one of the few parts of Nigeria to have been under French control as the UK leased the enclave of Forcados to France from 1903 to 1930.

[9] Key minor industries involve agriculture as the state has substantial oil palm, yam, and cassava crops along with fishing and heliciculture.

In large part due to its vast oil revenues, Delta has the fourth highest Human Development Index in the country; however, disputes between oil companies and local communities along with years of systemic corruption have led to hostilities that are often tied to the lack of development in host communities.

The state has a wide coastal belt inter-laced with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger Delta.

[20] The then Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, recognized Delta state but chose "Asaba" a prominent town within the "Northwestern Lower Niger" as capital city.

[23] Delta State is predominantly inhabited by the Urhobo, Anioma, Isoko, Uvwie, Okpe, Ijaw, Ukwuani, Ika, Enuani,Igbo, Itsekiri and the Olukumi people.

Sheriff Oborevwori, a member of the People's Democratic Party, was elected Governor and chief executive of Delta State in March 2023.

In 2011 and 2013, the elected senators were James Manager,[citation needed] Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi and Emmanuel Aguariavwodo who replaced Pius Ewherido who died in 2013 at National Hospital, Abuja.

The state is one of the richer and more developed ones in Nigeria and has the second-lowest incidence of extreme poverty (around 3% of the population against a national average of 31%) according to World Bank data from 2018.

[41] There are various solid mineral deposits within the state - industrial clay, silica, lignite, kaolin, tar sand, decorative rocks, limestone, etc.

[44] Delta state also has huge deposits of crude oil and is also one of the largest producers of petroleum products in Nigeria.

Some of these sites of tourism include:[20] Delta State is known to have produced several sportsmen and women, notably Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Wilson Oruma, Efetobore Sodje Blessing Okagbare, Jonathan Akpoborie, and Ogenekaro Etebo.