Sekondi-Takoradi is a city comprising the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi, is the capital of Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan District and the Western Region of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi is the Western Region's largest city and an industrial and commercial center, with a population of 445,205 people (2012). The chief industries in Sekondi-Takoradi are timber, plywood, shipbuilding and railroad repair and recently, Sweet crude oil and crude oil.Sekondi-Takoradi lies on the main railway lines to Kumasi and Accra. Sekondi, older and larger, was the site of Dutch Fort Orange (1642) and English Fort Sekondi (1682). It prospered from a railroad built in 1903 to hinterland mineral and timber resources. Takoradi was the site of Dutch Fort Witsen (1665) and has an important deepwater seaport, Ghana's first, built in 1928. During World War II, Takoradi Air Base was an important staging point for British aircraft destined for Egypt. 26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during WWII flying anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic. A number of South African airmen are buried in the Takoradi European Public cemetery. The cities combined in 1946. On November 20, 1969, the city became the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sekondi–Takoradi. The city is currently named (although not officially) as the Oil City of Ghana due to the massive discovery of oil in the western region, and has attracted massive migration from people all over the world. Takoradi is also a port city and has timber, energy, and technology industries. Over the years it has attracted a good number of investors, including miners, as the city is close to the mining towns in the western part of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi has a lot of beautiful beaches which unfortunately attract few tourists from throughout the world. Many beautiful beaches are also found to the west of Takoradi, with small resorts such as Fanta's Folly, The Hideout, and Green Turtle Lodge with larger ones such as Busua Beach., Lou Moon Lodge and Axim Beach Resort. Sekondi-Takoradi city has has several secondary schools, colleges, and special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. Sekondi Takoradi houses Takoradi Polytechnic (A Tertiary Institution), Nurses and Midwifery Training College, Holy Child Teachers Training College (Now a College of Education). The Sekondi-Takoradi city currently has several secondary schools, colleges, and Special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. These include: These include: Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) St. John's School Sekondi College Ahantaman Secondary School Fijai Secondary School Adiembra Secondary School Archbishop Porter Girls Secondary School and many others. Takoradi Technical Institute houses a Fab lab, equipped by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is the first of its kind in Africa. Takoradi has a well-equipped technical training centre (Takoradi Technical Institute, TTI, 1,400 students in two shifts) assisted by the German government through GTZ/GOPA. Apart from TTI, Takoradi has a polytechnic and other renowned secondary schools including Ghana Secondary Technical School, St. Mary Secondary School, Bompeh Secondary School, Takoradi Secondary School and many others. Sekondi-Takoradi has many internet cafés and computer training centres to encourage familiarity with computers and acquire computer skills. The Western Regional Library was established in Sekondi in 1955. Main article: Essipong Stadium Essipong Stadium Main article: Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium Main article: Gyandu Park Gyandu Park. Professional sports teams based in Sekondi-Takoradi include: FC Takoradi Sekondi Hasaacas Sekondi Wise Fighters.