Calabar, Nigeria

Capital City

With a population of just 179,392, Calabar is hardly the vibrant, cosmopolitan hub that tourism brochures would have you believe. The city's economy is dominated by government administration and the military, while the once-thriving slave trade and port activity have faded into history. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the tropical climate brings a relentless rainy season stretching over 9 months. Yet despite its gritty realities, Calabar retains pockets of colonial charm and a storied past as the "tourism capital of Nigeria" - though the city's appeal is best suited for those drawn to its niche cultural attractions rather than sun-seekers or thrill-chasers.