Lagos, usually referred to as
Lagos State to distinguish it from
Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a
state located in the southwestern
geopolitical zone of
Nigeria. The smallest in area of Nigeria's 36 states, Lagos State is arguably the most economically important state of the country, containing
Lagos, the nation's largest
urban area. The actual population total is disputed between the official Nigerian Census of 2006, and a much higher figure claimed by the Lagos State Government. Lagos State is located in the south-western part of the Nigerian Federation. On the North and East it is bounded by
Ogun State. In the West it shares boundaries with the
Republic of Benin. Behind its southern borders lies the
Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its 3,577 km
2 are lagoons and creeks.