Ibadan

Sister cities

• Cleveland

History

Ibadan, coined from the phrase "Eba-Odan", which literally means 'by the edge of the meadow', came into existence in 1829, during a period of turmoil that characterized Yorubaland at the time. It was in this period that many old Yoruba cities such as Old Oyo (Oyo-ile), Ijaye and Owu disappeared, and newer ones such as Abeokuta, New Oyo (Oyo Atiba) and Ibadan sprang up to replace them. As a forest site containing several ranges of hills, varying in elevation from 160 to 275 meters, the location of the camp offered strategic defense opportunities. Its location at the fringe of the forest (the origin of the city's name) promoted its emergence as a trade center for traders and goods from both the forest and grassland areas. Ibadan thus had initially begun as a military state and retained its martial character until the last decade of the 19th century. Between the 1860s and 1890s, the city-state became the center of an empire extending over much of northern and eastern Yorubaland. It was appropriately nicknamed idi-Ibon or "gun base", because of its unique military character. While most Yoruba cities practiced hereditary forms of kingship, Ibadan has been described as a military republic by historians. The city was administered by four 'chiefs': three of whose offices were attainable by all freeborn males, and one of which was reserved for female residents. The warrior 'class' were the dominant population of the city, as well as the most important economic group, and military success offered significant opportunity for individual progression. Ibadan's unusual organization earned it the derision of other Yorubas. Ibadan grew into an impressive and sprawling urban center, such that by the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated the Yoruba region militarily, politically and…

Geography

Ibadan is located in southwestern Nigeria in the southeastern part of Oyo State at about northeast of Lagos and east of the Nigerian international border with the Republic of Benin. It lies completely within the tropical forest zone but close to the boundary between the forest and the derived savanna. The city ranges in elevation from in the valley area, to above sea level on the major north–south ridge which crosses the central part of the city. The city of Ibadan is naturally drained by five rivers with many tributaries: Ona River in the North and West; Ogbere River towards the East; Ogunpa River flowing through the city and Kudeti River in the Central part of the metropolis. Ogunpa River, a third-order stream with a channel length of 12.76 km and a catchment area of 54.92 km2. Lake Eleyele is located at the northwestern part of the city, while the Osun River, Asejire Lake bounds the city to the east and the fifth rivers boundary Ibadan with other Oke-Oguns towns, witch call Odo-ogun Rivers across Lagos State, Ogun State, Osun State, Iseyin Town and Eruwa Town boundary to Ibadan. Ibadan has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), with a lengthy wet season and relatively constant temperatures throughout the year. Ibadan's wet season runs from March through October, though August sees somewhat of a lull in precipitation. This lull divides the wet season into two different wet seasons. November to February forms the city's dry season, during which Ibadan experiences the typical West African harmattan. The mean total rainfall for Ibadan is approximately , falling over about 123 days. There are two peaks for rainfall, June and September. The mean daily temperature is , the mean minimum , and the relative humidity 74.55%.

Most-observed species

• Pied Crow

  Corvus albus Statius Muller, 1776 · Aves
  160
• African Thrush

  Turdus pelios Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  153
• Laughing Dove

  Spilopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  142
• Woodland Kingfisher

  Halcyon senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  140
• Western Plantain-eater

  Crinifer piscator (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  127
• Speckled Pigeon

  Columba guinea Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  126
• yellow-billed kite

  Milvus aegyptius (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  125
• Eurasian Kestrel

  Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  120