Ondo State

Ondo (, Yoruba: Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. Ondo borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast for 45 km, Edo State to the east, Delta State to the southeast for 36 km, Ogun State to the southwest for 179 km, Osun State to the northwest for 77 km, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The state's capital is Akure, the former capital of the ancient Akure Kingdom. The State includes mangrove-swamp forest near the Bight of Benin. Nicknamed the "Sunshine State", Ondo State is the 18th most populated state in the country, and the 25th-largest state by landmass. The state is predominantly Yoruba, and the Yoruba language is commonly spoken. Cocoa production, farming, asphalt mining, and activities related to the state's extensive coastline also are part of the economy. It is home to the Idanre inselberg hills, the highest geographical point in the western half of Nigeria at over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) in elevation.