Port Harcourt is a gulf city and capital of Rivers State in the Niger Delta area of South South Nigeria and is the centre for the oil industry in the country. English is generally spoken, but Ikwerre (the indigenous language) of the Ikwerre people is also spoken at the Ikwerre villages , and Pidgin English is widely spoken across all demography, as found in most parts of the country. Port Harcourt was named after Lord Lewis Harcourt, the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1913.
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Port Harcourt generally known as the 'PH City' is one of the beautiful places to visit in Nigeria. Port Harcourt was formed in 1912. In 2016, Port Harcourt was home to about 1.2 million people. Port Harcourt features a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am) with lengthy and heavy rainy seasons and very short dry seasons. Only the months of December to February truly qualifies as dry season months in the city. Harmattan, which climatically influences many cities in West Africa, is less pronounced in Port Harcourt.
1 Borokiri Market. By the Bonny Jetty where seafood is sold. (updated Aug 2020) 2 Port Harcourt Zoo, Peter Odili Rd, Trans Amadi 500003, ☏ +234 8168990035. Su-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 8AM-6:30PM. Home of the wasted horse and emaciated lion. ₦ 200. (updated Aug 2020) 3 Port Harcourt Pleasure Park (between Army Bori Camp and Air Force Base Junction), ☏ +234 9094444006. Port Harcourt's tourism investment project and as such probably its main attraction, a park with amusement rides and boat rides, waterways, gardens, playgrounds, restaurant/bar and concert venues. (updated Aug 2020) Izumini River - an hour's drive outside of the city
Carniriv Festival'. Held annually in the city, it is the oldest carnival in Nigeria and it was established in 1988. The cultural diversity and collective heritage of the local people in Rivers state is firmly rooted at the core of tourism. The Carnival starts few weeks before Christmas, and lasts for seven days combining two carnivals which are contemporary Caribbean style carnival and a cultural carnival which turns the ‘Garden City’ to a very colourful destination.
Rice, egusi soup with eba or fufu, pounded yam, papper soup, ogbono soup. Suya is a kind of spicy meat kebab. Available at the side of any road cooked over charcoal. Wash it down with a Coke, called locally a mineral, or a bottle of the local Guinness or Maltina. 1 Spice Route, First floor, Mall Spar, 1 Azikiwe Rd, ☏ +234 8080233092. This Asian fusion restaurant in the Old GRA district offers nice views from its balcony at the mall and doubles as a club for when you want to socialize and drink. (updated Aug 2020) 2 BCON Restaurant and Hotel, 2 Yola Street, off Nzimiro, amadi flat, Old GRA, ☏ +234 8033275343. 8AM-10:30PM.
There is great night life here. Try Cheers Bar in GRA every Sunday! Place is absolutely packed with guys and girls being treated to awesome music by Nick and Smart. Food is great, service is friendly and the beers are cold! Also on weekends Wine Bar, Bunga Villa (as the locals call it) and Aristo House are great!.
Port Harcourt is the centre of oil business in Nigeria. Some people have a strong feeling that the oil is "stolen" from them by local government in cooperation with foreign companies. There are frequent riots, worker strikes and regular reports of kidnapping. Some bars and clubs, nevertheless, seem relatively safe even during the night.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Port Harcourt typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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