Jos

Jos is a name that can refer to several subjects, most notably the city of Jos in central Nigeria, a given name, and the IATA airport code JOS for Jos Airport.

Jos, the capital of Plateau State in Nigeria, lies on the Jos Plateau at an elevation of roughly 1,200 to 1,300 meters above sea level, which gives the city a cooler climate than much of the region. The local economy has historically revolved around tin mining and limestone quarrying, and the area remains an administrative and educational center. The city hosts cultural and educational institutions such as the University of Jos and the Jos Museum, which preserves Nok terracotta artifacts and other ethnographic collections.

Like many Nigerian urban areas, Jos has experienced periods of intercommunal tension and religious violence, particularly in the early 2000s and in subsequent years. These events have influenced demographic changes, development plans, and security considerations in the city and surrounding areas.

As a given name, Jos is commonly a diminutive of Joseph in Dutch- and Flemish-speaking regions and is used as a standalone name in various cultures. It is also found in other countries as a short form or nickname, reflecting diverse linguistic backgrounds.

In aviation contexts, JOS is the IATA airport code identifying Jos Airport in Nigeria, linking the name to air travel and regional transportation networks.