Kumba K-Town |
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Coordinates: 4°38′N 9°27′E / 4.633°N 9.450°E | |
Country | Cameroon |
Provincekind | Southwest Region |
Elevation | 240 m (790 ft) |
Population (2015) | |
• Total | 400,000 |
Kumba is a city in Southwest Region, Western Cameroon also known as K town. Kumba has an estimated population of about 400.000 inhabitants with about ¾ of this population falling within the youthful age group. The increase in population is as a result of increase in birth rate and a fall in infant mortality rate as a result of improvement in Infant health care and migrations (Rural – Urban). The N8 and N16 highways meet at Kumba.
The city is a trade centre for Cocoa and Palm Oil, including Rubber and has a timber industry as well. Kumba is a local road junction, making it the main commercial town in anglophone Cameroon. Trading in Kumba has attracted the interest of foreigners, mostly [Nigerians] (The Igbos), who have always controlled a greater percentage of the Kumba main market. (culled from a personal survey, January 2011).Controlled by the Kumba city Council it is the most income generating source of the council. Most of the people in Kumba are farmers ad this has made Kumba one of the leading towns in Cameroon that provide food stuff to its neighbouring towns and cities not leaving out some neighbouring countries like Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Tchad and a good number of African Countries.
Although it is the largest city in the southwest province of Cameroon, it is not the provincial capital; which is located in Buea, the former German colonial capital. Because of its size, most major roads to the provincial interior radiate from Kumba, running to the Nigerian border at Mamfe, the Korup National Park at Mundemba, and Mount Koupe to the east. The premier geographical attraction in Kumba is lake Barombi Mbo, the largest volcanic lake in Cameroon's volcanic chain.
Kumba is the terminus of a branch railway of the western system of Camrail.Kumba has three major motor parks; one situated at Buea road in Barombi kang, the second is at Fiango(three corners), and the third is at Mbonge road(Mile one)
Kumba is the headquarter of Meme division of the Southwest Region. It has three sub-divisional councils; Kumba 1(Kumba Town-Kake, a part of Buea Road), Kumba 2(Kosala, Hausa-quarters and Fiango) and Kumba 3(3 corners, Mambanda and a part of Buea-road) with three local mayors. The town also run by a government appointed Senior Divisional Officer(SDO) and a government Delegate.