Rivers State, also known simply as
Rivers, is one of the 36
states of Nigeria. According to census data released in 2006, the state has a population of 5,185,400, making it the sixth-most populous state in the country. Its capital,
Port Harcourt is the largest city and is economically significant as the centre of Nigeria's oil industry. Rivers State is bounded on the South by the
Atlantic Ocean, to the North by
Imo,
Abia and
Anambra States, to the East by
Akwa Ibom State and to the West by
Bayelsa and
Delta states. It is home to many indigenous ethnic groups:
Ikwerre, Ibani, Opobo, Eleme,
Okrika, and
Kalabari,
Etche,
Ogba,
Ogoni, Engenni and others. The people from Rivers State are known as "Riverians".