Sapele

Sapele, city in southwestern Nigeria, located in Delta State. Sapele is situated at the headwaters of the Benin River, which flows out to the Niger Delta. Sapele is one of the major ports in Nigeria and has a wide variety of industries, processing timber, rubber, and palm oil. The demand for timber in the earlier part of the 20th century attracted workers from all over Nigeria to Sapele and contributed to the city's rapid growth. Sapele is the center of the Nigerian timber industry. Furniture manufactured from this timber is another important economic activity. Rubber plantations thrive on the outskirts of Sapele. The city is also a center for shoe production and has a major fishery. The Okoma Game Reserve is an important tourist attraction located on the outskirts of the city. Population (1995) 135,800.