Garoua
| Garoua | |
|---|---|
| City | |
The Market at Garoua
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 Garoua
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| Coordinates: 9°18′N 13°24′E / 9.300°N 13.400°E | |
| Country |
 Cameroon
|
| Region | North |
| Department | Bénoué |
| Elevation | 249 m (817 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 235,996 |
Garoua or Garua (German: Garua) is a port city and the capital of the North Region of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. A thriving centre of the textiles and cotton industries, the city had 235,996 inhabitants according to the 2005 Census.
Garoua was established by the Fulani emir Modibbo Adama in the first half of the 19th century. During the steamship era, it developed into a major river port.
Garoua is situated in northern Cameroon, and lies on the Benue River. It serves as the gateway to Benoue National Park. Neighborhoods include Commercial Centre, Lopere, Quartier de Marouaire, and the northwestern suburb of Yelwa, near Garoua International Airport.
The average temperature in Garoua ranges from 26.0 °C (78.8 °F) in the January to 33.0 °C (91.4 °F) in April.
In 2005, Garoua had a population of 235,996 people. The city is inhabited by the Fulbe ethnic group. Due to a significant number of Chadian expatriates in the city, there is a Chadian Consulate.
As the fourth largest port in Cameroon, Garou is a major center of trade in the country. It developed as a centre for trade in petroleum and cement hides and peanuts, brought on ships along the Benue River, between Burutu in Nigeria. It has long been a thriving centre of the cotton industry and houses several textile processing facilities and factories. The cotton company Sodecoton has one of its major centres in the city. Leathering and fishing are also notable industries.
Garoua contains a Grand Mosque, known as the Grande Mosquee de Poumpomere. The main sports stadium is the 35,000-seater Roumdé Adjia Stadium, the home ground of football club Cotonsport Garoua. There are several banks and insurance companies, a hospital, and a junior college.
Garoua is served by Garoua International Airport, with the national airline operating, Cameroon Airlines. The city lies on National Highway 1, at a junction of the road between Maroua and Ngaoundéré. The main road leading north through the town and past the airport is called Rue de la Gendarmerie.
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Wikipedia