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Douala

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital. It is also the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region. It was home to Central Africa's largest port, now being replaced by Kribi port. It has the countries' major international airport, Douala International Airport (DLA). It is the commercial and economic capital of Cameroon and the entire CEMAC region comprising Gabon, Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Cameroon. Consequently, it handles most of the country's major exports, such as oil, cocoa and coffee, timber, metals and fruits. As of 2023, the city and its surrounding area had an estimated population of 5,768,400.[1] The city sits on the estuary of Wouri River and its climate is tropical.

Douala
Panoramic view
Douala
Map of Cameroon showing the location of Douala
Coordinates: 04°03′N 009°41′E / 4.050°N 9.683°E / 4.050; 9.683
CountryCameroon
RegionLittoral
DepartmentWouri
Government
Area
 • Total210 km2 (80 sq mi)
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Population
 (2015 Projection)
 • Total5,768,400[1]
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (WAT)
ClimateAm
Websitewww.douala-city.org

History edit

 
The German corvette SMS Olga at the bombardment of Hickorytown, Cameroon (today Duala) on December 21, 1884

The first Europeans to visit the area were the Portuguese in about 1472. At the time, the estuary of Wouri River was known as the Rio dos Camarões (Shrimp River). By 1650, it had become the site of a town formed by immigrants, said to have arrived from Congo, who spoke the Duala language. During the 18th century it was the center of the transatlantic slave trade.

In 1826[2] Douala appeared to be made of four different villages located in four specific locations: the village of Deido (Dido), of Akwa, of Njo and Hickory-town (today Bonaberi, located on the other side of Wouri River).

Between 1884 and 1895 the city was a German protectorate.[3] The colonial politics focused on commerce and some exploration of the unoccupied territories. In 1885, Alfred Saker organized the first mission of the British Baptist Church. In the same year the city known as Kamerun was renamed Douala and became the capital of the territory until 1902, when the capital was moved to Buéa.

In 1907 the Ministry of Colonies was established and Douala had 23,000 citizens.[4]

After World War I in 1919, the German colonial territories became French and British protectorates. France received a mandate to administer Douala. A treaty was signed with the local chiefs.

From 1940 to 1946, it was the capital of Cameroon.[5] In 1955 the city had over 100,000 inhabitants.[4]

In 1960, Cameroon gained independence as a federal republic, with its capital in Yaoundé. Douala became the major economic city. In 1972, the federal republic became a unitary state. Douala then had a population of around 500,000.[4]

In the 1980s, in Cameroon the struggle for liberalization and multi-party democracy grew. Between May and December 1991, Douala was at the center of the civil disobedience campaign called the ghost town operation (ville morte) during which economic activities shut down to make the country ungovernable and to force the government to allow multi-partitism and freedom of expression.[6]

 
Lake parcour vita douala Cameroon
 
Société Camerounaise de dépôt pétrolier douala Cameroon

Name edit

With the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century, the area was known as Rio dos Camarões. Before coming under German rule in 1884,[7] the town was also known as Cameroons Town; thereafter it became Kamerunstadt ("Cameroon City"), the capital of German Kamerun. It was renamed Douala in 1907 after the name of the natives known as Dua ala Ijaws (Njos), and became part of French Cameroon in 1919. Many of the Ijaw (Njo) natives migrated to the Niger Delta in Nigeria during the Portuguese era.

Geography edit

 
Bridge over the Wouri River

Douala is the largest city in Cameroon on the Atlantic Ocean coast approximately 130 miles (210 km) west of Yaoundé The city is located on the banks of the Wouri River, the two sides linked by Bonaberi Bridge.

Climate edit

Douala features a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am), with relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year, though the city experiences somewhat cooler temperatures in July and August. Douala typically features warm and humid conditions with an average annual temperature of 27.0 °C (80.6 °F) and an average humidity of 83%.[8][9] Douala sees plentiful rainfall during the course of the year, experiencing on average roughly 3,600 millimetres (140 in) of precipitation per year.[8] Its driest month is December, when on average 28 millimetres (1.1 in) of precipitation falls, while its wettest month is August, when on average nearly 700 millimetres (28 in) of rain falls.[8]

Climate data for Douala (1971-2000, extremes 1885-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35.8
(96.4)
39.8
(103.6)
37.8
(100.0)
36.4
(97.5)
36.0
(96.8)
39.0
(102.2)
32.5
(90.5)
32.0
(89.6)
33.1
(91.6)
35.0
(95.0)
38.0
(100.4)
38.0
(100.4)
39.8
(103.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.2
(90.0)
32.8
(91.0)
32.5
(90.5)
32.1
(89.8)
31.4
(88.5)
29.9
(85.8)
28.1
(82.6)
27.7
(81.9)
29.0
(84.2)
29.8
(85.6)
30.9
(87.6)
31.7
(89.1)
30.7
(87.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.8
(82.0)
28.5
(83.3)
28.2
(82.8)
27.8
(82.0)
27.3
(81.1)
26.5
(79.7)
25.4
(77.7)
25.3
(77.5)
25.9
(78.6)
26.2
(79.2)
27.1
(80.8)
27.5
(81.5)
27.0
(80.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.4
(74.1)
24.1
(75.4)
23.9
(75.0)
23.5
(74.3)
23.2
(73.8)
23.0
(73.4)
22.7
(72.9)
22.8
(73.0)
22.8
(73.0)
22.5
(72.5)
23.2
(73.8)
23.3
(73.9)
23.2
(73.8)
Record low °C (°F) 18.0
(64.4)
19.0
(66.2)
18.0
(64.4)
18.3
(64.9)
16.0
(60.8)
18.2
(64.8)
18.2
(64.8)
19.0
(66.2)
18.5
(65.3)
16.8
(62.2)
18.5
(65.3)
18.0
(64.4)
16.0
(60.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 34.2
(1.35)
54.5
(2.15)
155.2
(6.11)
241.2
(9.50)
276.2
(10.87)
354.1
(13.94)
681.4
(26.83)
687.5
(27.07)
561.2
(22.09)
406.6
(16.01)
123.1
(4.85)
27.5
(1.08)
3,602.7
(141.84)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5 9 15 18 21 23 27 30 26 24 12 5 215
Average relative humidity (%) 80 79 80 81 82 85 87 88 86 84 83 82 83
Mean monthly sunshine hours 193.3 179.1 171.9 176.5 175.8 123.1 72.0 53.2 90.8 131.2 162.1 184.2 1,713.2
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[8] Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[10]
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity, 1957-1990),[9] NOAA (sun, 1961-1990)[11]

Population edit

Evolution of population in Douala (in thousands)

Year 1916 1920 1924 1927 1931 1933 1935 1937 1939 1941
Population 29.4 26.4 44.5 54.6 37 52.6 56.5 79.4 69.8 76.7
Year 1944 1947 1949 1954 1956 1976 1987 1991 1999 2005 2015
Population 73.8 115.5 77.6 192.4 224.3 637 810 884 1448.3 1907 2768.4

With 1.9 million inhabitants in 2005, Douala is the most populated city of Cameroon.

Languages edit

Cameroon is home to nearly 250 languages or dialects.[12] The local indigenous language is Duala, which shares its name with the city. French and English are official languages, but Douala is primarily francophone. In 2014, 63.7% of Douala inhabitants of over 15 years knew how to read and write French, while 76.4% knew how to speak and understand French.[13]

Urbanism and contemporary life edit

The city of Douala is divided into seven districts (Akwa, Bassa, Bonabéri, Bonapriso, Bonanjo, Deïdo and New Bell)[14] and it has more than 120 neighbourhoods.

Some of the neighbourhoods of Douala include

  • Akwa. Akwa is Douala's business district and Bonanjo its administrative district. Plateau Joss is the name used historically for the current district of Akwa. The name of the districts refer to the Douala lineage, as well as the neighborhoods. For example, Akwa was historically divided between Bell and Deido into Bonadibong, Bonamilengue, Boneleke, Bonalembe, Bonejang, Bonamuti, Bonabekombo, Bonaboijan, and Bonakuamuang; the prefix "bona" means "descendant of".
  • Bali, housing area located near Bonanjo administrative area.
  • Bépanda is a very densely populated neighbourhood. It is probably the most inhabited area of the city with many residents having arrived from West Africa and from all parts of the country. The seat of the University of Douala and an important telecommunication centre of Cameroon's telecommunications are located there.
  • Deido is a historical neighborhood located in the north central part of the city. It includes one of the main junctions of the city known as Le Rond-Point Deïdo and the symbol of the city “the Njounjou” (“the monster”).
  • Bonaberi is located on the right bank of the Wouri River. It is primarily an industrial neighbourhood but is gradually becoming a mixed area including more residential and commercial areas. It is connected by the two only bridges of the city. It is also the main opening toward the western anglophone area of the country.
  • Bonapriso is one of the wealthiest area of the city and even of the country. Historically a residential neighbourhood, it has become a mixed area including commercial galleries, restaurants and shops.
  • Bonanjo is the administrative neighborhood, with many large administrations, larger companies and banks offices, with higher buildings than the rest of the city
  • Bonamoussadi is the main housing area located in the northern part of the city. In a first time very residential, it has recently witnessed a significant surge in the installation of malls, supermarkets, restaurants and even night clubs.
  • Kotto is a modern residential neighbourhood next to Bonamoussadi. It developed in the early 1980s with the housing projects of the Société immobilière du Cameroun (SIC) and is now the prime area for the small but increasing middle and upper classes of the city.
  • New Bell is an historical neighbourhood of the city. It was founded in the early 20th century with the expropriation by the Germans of the natives Duala people from the plateau Joss. It has been known since then for housing newcomers in the city from all parts of the country and even from abroad (mainly west Africa). It today a very populous neighbourhood with very tough conditions. Two of the main markets of the city (Central market and Marché Nkololoun) are in the area.
  • Bassa is a vast area in the eastern part of the city. It is a mixed area including many neighborhoods (some wealthier than others) such as Logbaba, Ndogpassi, Cité des Palmiers, PK 8 and many others. It also includes one of the two major industrial zones of the city (the other being in Bonaberi).

Architecture edit

 
Palace of the Kings Bell
 
Statue of King Akwa in front of the King Akwa Museum
 
Temple of Centeneire

According to Jacques Soulillou,[15] historical images of Douala document the areas of Akwa (Plateau Joss) and the port between 1860 and 1960, while the districts of Bonaberi, Deido and New Bell have almost no images. The archives which provide documentation about the city are based in Paris,[16] Basel,[17] Hamburg,[18] Potsdam,[19] Douala[20] and Yaoundé.[21]

In 1896 a first urban plan of the city was developed during the German colonial period. The plan included a hospital, the governor residency, the palace of justice, the police station, administrative buildings and buildings for the port and customs (among those the Old Woermann Linie Bachelors House). The Bonakouamouang Chimney also dates back to this period. In 1904 construction of the Villa Mandessi Bell was begun. In 1905 the palace of the King Manga Ndumbe Bell (also called la Pagode) was built, and in 1906 the general plan of Gross Douala was established. In 1914 the large population living in Bonanjo was moved to the new estate of Neue Bell (New Bell).

Between 1925 and 1930, during the French colonial period, the chamber of commerce, the new palace of justice, the new railway station, the vault of the Kings Bell and the catholic cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul were built. Constructions were intensified between 1930 and 1955 and in 1955 the bridge on Wouri River was built. In 1935 the Mausoleum of the Kings Akwa was constructed. In 1947 the Temple of the Centenary was built. In 1959 a new city plan was designed (Plan Dorian); according to Danièle Diwouta-Kotto,[4] this plan is still influencing Douala's urban development. After the independence of 1960 a new development and urban plan were established. In 1998 a research prepared the diagnostic for the 2015 horizon. In 2005 a new development and urban plan was designed and routes and public canalizations were reestablished and created. In the same year the Project Sawa-Beach was launched. Since 1888, terracotta bricks have been produced in Douala.[4]

The publication Suites architecturales[4] focuses on heritage and reappropriation in the architecture of Douala, and it presents some of the characteristics of the buildings and architecture of Douala after its independence. Among those buildings are the casino, the show-room La Meublerie, the exhibition hall Cami-Toyota, Union Bank of Cameroon, Immeuble Hollando, the Baptist church, Immeuble Victoria, headquarters of CA-SCB, espace doual'art, and Orange Flagship. The Palace Dika Akwa Mukanda was built in 1990.

Along the city's main thoroughfare lie some of Cameroon's best restaurants, coffee houses and French-style patisseries; along the waterfront, many bars and bistros may be found, commanding views of the Gulf of Guinea and nearby mangrove swamps. Many of these are frequented by the city's large expatriate population, mainly French or Lebanese, most of whom work in the petroleum industry.[citation needed]

Culture edit

  • Douala Maritime Museum, a museum showcasing the rich maritime history of Douala. The building is shaped like a boat (however, the museum only occupies 400 m2 of the building). It is located in the administrative area Bonanjo
  • Doual'art, an art gallery/center
  • La Nouvelle Liberté, a 12m piece from Joseph Francis Sumégné inaugurated in 2007. A permanent monumental sculpture made with recycled material located at a main roundabout in Douala. It is 12 meters high with a wingspan of 5 meters.
  • The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul
  • The Centennial Temple

Places of worship edit

The city's population is predominantly Christian and contains houses of worship of numerous denominations : Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Douala (Catholic Church), Evangelical Church of Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Union of Baptist Churches in Cameroon (Baptist World Alliance), Integrity for All (Christian Missionary Fellowship and Associated Churches), Full Gospel Mission Cameroon (Assemblies of God).[22] There are also Muslim mosques.

A small community has begun to practice Judaism in Douala, but they do not have a synagogue yet.[23]

Education edit

As in most large cities in Cameroon there are several nursery, primary, secondary and high schools in the city. In recent years there has been a surge in the number of private schools.[citation needed] It is interesting to note that there is also a large, informal educational sector that caters to a huge part of the population, mostly individuals with a primary school certificate or those with no education at all.[citation needed] This form of education is common in sectors like cloth manufacturing, bread making, construction, security, and car repairing. Individuals from these informal sectors are by far the most visibly deprived in neighborhoods such as Ndokoti, Bepanda, Village, Logbaba.

The city of Douala is home to a number of higher education institutions, including the University of Douala.[24] There are also a number of professional schools, the most prominent one being the Douala Maritime institute. Douala has an aviation school called CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Douala.

Transportation edit

 
Gare de Bessengué, Douala's train station
 
Douala International Airport
 
Douala seaport

Douala is linked by rail to Yaoundé, Ngaoundéré, Kumba and Nkongsamba. Douala has a fairly developed road network compared to other cities in Cameroon. However many of the city's roads have decayed due to years of neglect and corruption. Efforts have recently been made to renovate the city's roads, especially in the most deprived neighborhoods. In spite of the numerous domestic and international investments, the roads remain in deplorable state largely due to embezzlement and corruption.[citation needed]

A brt network is planned for Douala, with the first 3 lines projected to open in 2024-2025.[25][needs update]

The Douala International Airport is located in the eastern part of the city. There are direct flights to several European cities, including Paris, Brussels, and Istanbul. Regional and continental destinations include Abidjan, Brazzaville, Dakar, Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Lagos, Malabo, and Nairobi. The airport is the busiest in the CEMAC area and is the hub for Cameroon's national carrier, Camairco. The airport is in dire need of renovations due to poor circulation and old infrastructure.

The seaport has 8.5 metres (28 feet) of draft.

Economy edit

Douala is a city with a modest oil resource in Africa, but is in excellent agricultural condition, therefore it has one of best economies in Africa. However, it also faces some problems like other underdeveloped countries such as heavy civil service and bad climate (flood, tornado, storm) to business.[citation needed]

Main economic parameters are:

  • GDP: $42.2 billion (2006 est.):
  • GDP growth rate: 4.1% (2006 est.)
  • Exports-partners: Spain 17.3%, Italy 13.8%, France 9.5%, South Korea 8.1%, UK 8.1%, Netherlands 7.9%, Belgium 4.9%, US 4.3% (2005)
  • Imports - partners: France 21%, Nigeria 15%, Belgium 6.3%, China 5.6%, US 5.1%, Thailand 4.5%, Germany 4.2% (2005)
 
Mboppi market

Wealth and poverty edit

Even though Douala is the economic center of Cameroon, a large percentage of its inhabitants live below the poverty line. Recent data shows that about thirty percent of the population lives in poverty (Avameg, Inc). While the aforementioned percentage is doubled for rural regions, poverty is a growing problem for Douala due to its steadily increasing population. Unlike the rural populations of Cameroon that can grow their own foods to lessen their expenses, Douala locals are disadvantaged by living in the port city where there are not many opportunities for monetary gain.[26]

Notable people edit

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Doula is twinned with the following places:

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Cameroon: Regions, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de.
  2. ^ Notes from Richard Mother Jackson published in R.-P. Bouchaud 1948 and 1952.
  3. ^ Britannica, Douala, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019
  4. ^ a b c d e f Diwouta-Kotto, Danièle (2010). Suites architecturales: Kinshasa, Douala, Dakar. Épinal: Association VAA, p. 42.
  5. ^ Mark Dike DeLancey, Mark W. Delancey, Rebecca Neh Mbuh, Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2019, p. 176
  6. ^ Edmond Kamguia Koumchou (2003), Le Journalisme du Carton Rouge. Douala: Editions l'Etincelle d'Afrique.
  7. ^ "Cameroon and the German Lake Chad Railway". World Digital Library. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d "World Weather Information Service – Douala". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Klimatafel von Douala (Duala), Observatorium / Kamerun" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Station Douala" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  11. ^ "Douala Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  12. ^ Kouega, Jean-Paul (2007). "The Language Situation in Cameroon". Current Issues in Language Planning. 8 (1): 3–94. doi:10.2167/cilp110.0. S2CID 143923073.
  13. ^ La langue française dans le monde, Éditions Nathan, 2014, p. 30.
  14. ^ "Douala, Cameroon", in Dickson Eyoh, Paul Tiyambe Zeleza (eds), Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century African History, Routledge, 2002, p. 151.
  15. ^ Jacques Soulillou (1989), Douala, un siècle en images. Paris: L'Harmattan, p. 9.
  16. ^ French national archives, Section Outre-mer and Département des Estampes; Documentation Français, Photothèque Afrique; Archives des Pères du Saint-Esprit; Archives des Missions des Églises Évangeliques; Agence France Press.
  17. ^ Archives of Mission 21.
  18. ^ Welwirtschafsvelten; Deutsch Afrika Linien.
  19. ^ Staatliche Archivverwaltung.
  20. ^ Archive Photo Prunet.
  21. ^ Goethe Institut.
  22. ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 484-486
  23. ^ "A SYNOPSIS OF THE JEWS OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA". Sub-Saharan African Synagogues. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  24. ^ Presidential act n° 93/030 of 19 January 1993.
  25. ^ "Douala tram project poised to launch". 15 February 2019.
  26. ^ "Cameroon". www.nationsencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  27. ^ "Cameroun : qui était Son Altesse Royale le Prince René Douala Manga Bell ?". afrik.com (in French). 4 January 2013..
  28. ^ "Kenny Kadji". University of Miami Athletics. June 2, 2017.
 
Bonamousadi douala Cameroon

Further reading edit

  • (in English) Brooke, James (1987). "Informal Capitalism Grows in Cameroon." The New York Times. November 30.
  • (in English) Derrick, Jonathan (1977). "Review of Douala: ville et histoire by René Gouellain." Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 47:4.
  • (in French) Diwouta-Kotto, Danièle (2010). Suites architecturales: Kinshasa, Douala, Dakar. Épinal: Association VAA.
  • (in English) Elate, Som Simon (2004). "African Urban History in the Future." In Steven Salm and Toyin Falola (eds), Globalization and Urbanization in Africa. Trenton: Africa World Press.
  • (in French) Gouellain, René (1969). Douala, ville et histoire. Paris: Institut d'ethnologie Musée de l'homme.
  • (in English) Hance, William (1964). The Geography of Modern Africa. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • (in English) Lambi, C. M. and Hombe, L. F. (2002). "Environmental Hazards and Landuse Planning for Sustainable Development: the Douala Unstable Coastal Region." In R. G. Macinnes and Jenny Jakeways (eds), Instability: Planning and Management. London: Thomas Telford.
  • (in French) Lauber, Wolfgang (1988). Architectures allemandes au Cameroun 1884-1914. Stuttgart: Karl Kramer Verlag.
  • (in English) Levine, Victor (1971). The Cameroon Federal Republic. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
  • (in French) Mainet, Guy (1985). Douala, croissance et servitudes. Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • (in English) Njoh, Ambe (2003). Planning in Contemporary Africa. Aldershot: Ashgate.
  • (in French) Séraphin, Gilles (2000). "Vivre à Douala. L'imaginaire et l'action dans une ville africaine en crise". Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • (in English) Simone, A. M. (2004). For the City Yet to Come: Changing African Life in Four Cities. Durham: Duke University Press.
  • (in French) Soulillou, Jacques (1989), Douala, un siècle en images. Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • (in English) Schler, Lynn (2008), The Strangers of New Bell: Immigration, Public Space and Community in Colonial Douala 1914–1960 (Pretoria: Unisa).
  • (in English) Brooke, James (1987). "Informal Capitalism Grows in Cameroon." The New York Times. November 30.
  • (in English) Derrick, Jonathan (1977). "Review of Douala: ville et histoire by René Gouellain." Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 47:4.
  • (in French) Diwouta-Kotto, Danièle (2010). Suites architecturales: Kinshasa, Douala, Dakar. Épinal: Association VAA.
  • (in English) Elate, Som Simon (2004). "African Urban History in the Future." In Steven Salm and Toyin Falola (eds), Globalization and Urbanization in Africa. Trenton: Africa World Press.
  • (in French) Gouellain, René (1969). Douala, ville et histoire. Paris: Institut d'ethnologie Musée de l'homme.
  • (in English) Hance, William (1964). The Geography of Modern Africa. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • (in English) Lambi, C. M., and Hombe, Hombe (2002). "Environmental Hazards and Landuse Planning for Sustainable Development: the Douala Unstable Coastal Region." In R. G. Macinnes and Jenny Jakeways (eds), Instability: Planning and Management. London: Thomas Telford.
  • (in French) Lauber, Wolfgang (1988). Architectures allemandes au Cameroun 1884-1914. Stuttgart: Karl Kramer Verlag.
  • (in English) Levine, Victor (1971). The Cameroon Federal Republic. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
  • (in French) Mainet, Guy (1985). Douala, croissance et servitudes. Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • (in English) Njoh, Ambe (2003). Planning in Contemporary Africa. Aldershot: Ashgate.
  • (in French) Séraphin, Gilles (2000). "Vivre à Douala. L'imaginaire et l'action dans une ville africaine en crise". Paris: L'Harmattan.
  • (in English) Simone, A. M. (2004). For the City Yet to Come: Changing African Life in Four Cities. Durham: Duke University Press.
  • (in French) Soulillou, Jacques (1989), Douala, un siècle en images. Paris: L'Harmattan.

External links edit

  Media related to Douala at Wikimedia Commons

  • Satellite image of Douala from Google Earth

4°03′N 9°42′E / 4.050°N 9.700°E / 4.050; 9.700

douala, other, uses, duala, largest, city, cameroon, economic, capital, also, capital, cameroon, littoral, region, home, central, africa, largest, port, being, replaced, kribi, port, countries, major, international, airport, international, airport, commercial,. For other uses see Duala Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital It is also the capital of Cameroon s Littoral Region It was home to Central Africa s largest port now being replaced by Kribi port It has the countries major international airport Douala International Airport DLA It is the commercial and economic capital of Cameroon and the entire CEMAC region comprising Gabon Congo Chad Equatorial Guinea Central African Republic and Cameroon Consequently it handles most of the country s major exports such as oil cocoa and coffee timber metals and fruits As of 2023 update the city and its surrounding area had an estimated population of 5 768 400 1 The city sits on the estuary of Wouri River and its climate is tropical DoualaPanoramic viewDoualaMap of Cameroon showing the location of DoualaCoordinates 04 03 N 009 41 E 4 050 N 9 683 E 4 050 9 683CountryCameroonRegionLittoralDepartmentWouriGovernmentArea Total210 km2 80 sq mi Elevation13 m 43 ft Population 2015 Projection Total5 768 400 1 Time zoneUTC 1 WAT Summer DST UTC 1 WAT ClimateAmWebsitewww wbr douala city wbr org Contents 1 History 1 1 Name 2 Geography 2 1 Climate 3 Population 3 1 Languages 4 Urbanism and contemporary life 5 Architecture 6 Culture 7 Places of worship 8 Education 9 Transportation 10 Economy 10 1 Wealth and poverty 11 Notable people 12 Twin towns sister cities 13 See also 14 References 15 Further reading 16 External linksHistory editSee also Timeline of Douala History of Cameroon and Kamerun nbsp The German corvette SMS Olga at the bombardment of Hickorytown Cameroon today Duala on December 21 1884The first Europeans to visit the area were the Portuguese in about 1472 At the time the estuary of Wouri River was known as the Rio dos Camaroes Shrimp River By 1650 it had become the site of a town formed by immigrants said to have arrived from Congo who spoke the Duala language During the 18th century it was the center of the transatlantic slave trade In 1826 2 Douala appeared to be made of four different villages located in four specific locations the village of Deido Dido of Akwa of Njo and Hickory town today Bonaberi located on the other side of Wouri River Between 1884 and 1895 the city was a German protectorate 3 The colonial politics focused on commerce and some exploration of the unoccupied territories In 1885 Alfred Saker organized the first mission of the British Baptist Church In the same year the city known as Kamerun was renamed Douala and became the capital of the territory until 1902 when the capital was moved to Buea In 1907 the Ministry of Colonies was established and Douala had 23 000 citizens 4 After World War I in 1919 the German colonial territories became French and British protectorates France received a mandate to administer Douala A treaty was signed with the local chiefs From 1940 to 1946 it was the capital of Cameroon 5 In 1955 the city had over 100 000 inhabitants 4 In 1960 Cameroon gained independence as a federal republic with its capital in Yaounde Douala became the major economic city In 1972 the federal republic became a unitary state Douala then had a population of around 500 000 4 In the 1980s in Cameroon the struggle for liberalization and multi party democracy grew Between May and December 1991 Douala was at the center of the civil disobedience campaign called the ghost town operation ville morte during which economic activities shut down to make the country ungovernable and to force the government to allow multi partitism and freedom of expression 6 nbsp Lake parcour vita douala Cameroon nbsp Societe Camerounaise de depot petrolier douala CameroonName edit With the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century the area was known as Rio dos Camaroes Before coming under German rule in 1884 7 the town was also known as Cameroons Town thereafter it became Kamerunstadt Cameroon City the capital of German Kamerun It was renamed Douala in 1907 after the name of the natives known as Dua ala Ijaws Njos and became part of French Cameroon in 1919 Many of the Ijaw Njo natives migrated to the Niger Delta in Nigeria during the Portuguese era Geography edit nbsp Bridge over the Wouri RiverDouala is the largest city in Cameroon on the Atlantic Ocean coast approximately 130 miles 210 km west of Yaounde The city is located on the banks of the Wouri River the two sides linked by Bonaberi Bridge Climate edit Douala features a tropical monsoon climate Koppen climate classification Am with relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year though the city experiences somewhat cooler temperatures in July and August Douala typically features warm and humid conditions with an average annual temperature of 27 0 C 80 6 F and an average humidity of 83 8 9 Douala sees plentiful rainfall during the course of the year experiencing on average roughly 3 600 millimetres 140 in of precipitation per year 8 Its driest month is December when on average 28 millimetres 1 1 in of precipitation falls while its wettest month is August when on average nearly 700 millimetres 28 in of rain falls 8 Climate data for Douala 1971 2000 extremes 1885 present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 35 8 96 4 39 8 103 6 37 8 100 0 36 4 97 5 36 0 96 8 39 0 102 2 32 5 90 5 32 0 89 6 33 1 91 6 35 0 95 0 38 0 100 4 38 0 100 4 39 8 103 6 Mean daily maximum C F 32 2 90 0 32 8 91 0 32 5 90 5 32 1 89 8 31 4 88 5 29 9 85 8 28 1 82 6 27 7 81 9 29 0 84 2 29 8 85 6 30 9 87 6 31 7 89 1 30 7 87 3 Daily mean C F 27 8 82 0 28 5 83 3 28 2 82 8 27 8 82 0 27 3 81 1 26 5 79 7 25 4 77 7 25 3 77 5 25 9 78 6 26 2 79 2 27 1 80 8 27 5 81 5 27 0 80 6 Mean daily minimum C F 23 4 74 1 24 1 75 4 23 9 75 0 23 5 74 3 23 2 73 8 23 0 73 4 22 7 72 9 22 8 73 0 22 8 73 0 22 5 72 5 23 2 73 8 23 3 73 9 23 2 73 8 Record low C F 18 0 64 4 19 0 66 2 18 0 64 4 18 3 64 9 16 0 60 8 18 2 64 8 18 2 64 8 19 0 66 2 18 5 65 3 16 8 62 2 18 5 65 3 18 0 64 4 16 0 60 8 Average precipitation mm inches 34 2 1 35 54 5 2 15 155 2 6 11 241 2 9 50 276 2 10 87 354 1 13 94 681 4 26 83 687 5 27 07 561 2 22 09 406 6 16 01 123 1 4 85 27 5 1 08 3 602 7 141 84 Average precipitation days 0 1 mm 5 9 15 18 21 23 27 30 26 24 12 5 215Average relative humidity 80 79 80 81 82 85 87 88 86 84 83 82 83Mean monthly sunshine hours 193 3 179 1 171 9 176 5 175 8 123 1 72 0 53 2 90 8 131 2 162 1 184 2 1 713 2Source 1 World Meteorological Organization 8 Meteo Climat record highs and lows 10 Source 2 Deutscher Wetterdienst humidity 1957 1990 9 NOAA sun 1961 1990 11 Population editEvolution of population in Douala in thousands Year 1916 1920 1924 1927 1931 1933 1935 1937 1939 1941Population 29 4 26 4 44 5 54 6 37 52 6 56 5 79 4 69 8 76 7 Year 1944 1947 1949 1954 1956 1976 1987 1991 1999 2005 2015Population 73 8 115 5 77 6 192 4 224 3 637 810 884 1448 3 1907 2768 4 With 1 9 million inhabitants in 2005 Douala is the most populated city of Cameroon Languages edit See also Languages of Cameroon Cameroon is home to nearly 250 languages or dialects 12 The local indigenous language is Duala which shares its name with the city French and English are official languages but Douala is primarily francophone In 2014 63 7 of Douala inhabitants of over 15 years knew how to read and write French while 76 4 knew how to speak and understand French 13 Urbanism and contemporary life editThe city of Douala is divided into seven districts Akwa Bassa Bonaberi Bonapriso Bonanjo Deido and New Bell 14 and it has more than 120 neighbourhoods Some of the neighbourhoods of Douala include Akwa Akwa is Douala s business district and Bonanjo its administrative district Plateau Joss is the name used historically for the current district of Akwa The name of the districts refer to the Douala lineage as well as the neighborhoods For example Akwa was historically divided between Bell and Deido into Bonadibong Bonamilengue Boneleke Bonalembe Bonejang Bonamuti Bonabekombo Bonaboijan and Bonakuamuang the prefix bona means descendant of Akwa main places nbsp Akwa Kings Monument nbsp Palais Dika Akwa nbsp Akwa King tomb nbsp Bonalembe Baptist church nbsp Akwa PalaceBali housing area located near Bonanjo administrative area Bepanda is a very densely populated neighbourhood It is probably the most inhabited area of the city with many residents having arrived from West Africa and from all parts of the country The seat of the University of Douala and an important telecommunication centre of Cameroon s telecommunications are located there Deido is a historical neighborhood located in the north central part of the city It includes one of the main junctions of the city known as Le Rond Point Deido and the symbol of the city the Njounjou the monster Bonaberi is located on the right bank of the Wouri River It is primarily an industrial neighbourhood but is gradually becoming a mixed area including more residential and commercial areas It is connected by the two only bridges of the city It is also the main opening toward the western anglophone area of the country Bonapriso is one of the wealthiest area of the city and even of the country Historically a residential neighbourhood it has become a mixed area including commercial galleries restaurants and shops Bonanjo is the administrative neighborhood with many large administrations larger companies and banks offices with higher buildings than the rest of the city Bonamoussadi is the main housing area located in the northern part of the city In a first time very residential it has recently witnessed a significant surge in the installation of malls supermarkets restaurants and even night clubs Kotto is a modern residential neighbourhood next to Bonamoussadi It developed in the early 1980s with the housing projects of the Societe immobiliere du Cameroun SIC and is now the prime area for the small but increasing middle and upper classes of the city New Bell is an historical neighbourhood of the city It was founded in the early 20th century with the expropriation by the Germans of the natives Duala people from the plateau Joss It has been known since then for housing newcomers in the city from all parts of the country and even from abroad mainly west Africa It today a very populous neighbourhood with very tough conditions Two of the main markets of the city Central market and Marche Nkololoun are in the area New Bell main places nbsp Church of Our Lady of Victories nbsp central mosque nbsp NewBell High SchoolBassa is a vast area in the eastern part of the city It is a mixed area including many neighborhoods some wealthier than others such as Logbaba Ndogpassi Cite des Palmiers PK 8 and many others It also includes one of the two major industrial zones of the city the other being in Bonaberi Architecture edit nbsp Palace of the Kings Bell nbsp Statue of King Akwa in front of the King Akwa Museum nbsp Temple of CenteneireAccording to Jacques Soulillou 15 historical images of Douala document the areas of Akwa Plateau Joss and the port between 1860 and 1960 while the districts of Bonaberi Deido and New Bell have almost no images The archives which provide documentation about the city are based in Paris 16 Basel 17 Hamburg 18 Potsdam 19 Douala 20 and Yaounde 21 In 1896 a first urban plan of the city was developed during the German colonial period The plan included a hospital the governor residency the palace of justice the police station administrative buildings and buildings for the port and customs among those the Old Woermann Linie Bachelors House The Bonakouamouang Chimney also dates back to this period In 1904 construction of the Villa Mandessi Bell was begun In 1905 the palace of the King Manga Ndumbe Bell also called la Pagode was built and in 1906 the general plan of Gross Douala was established In 1914 the large population living in Bonanjo was moved to the new estate of Neue Bell New Bell Between 1925 and 1930 during the French colonial period the chamber of commerce the new palace of justice the new railway station the vault of the Kings Bell and the catholic cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul were built Constructions were intensified between 1930 and 1955 and in 1955 the bridge on Wouri River was built In 1935 the Mausoleum of the Kings Akwa was constructed In 1947 the Temple of the Centenary was built In 1959 a new city plan was designed Plan Dorian according to Daniele Diwouta Kotto 4 this plan is still influencing Douala s urban development After the independence of 1960 a new development and urban plan were established In 1998 a research prepared the diagnostic for the 2015 horizon In 2005 a new development and urban plan was designed and routes and public canalizations were reestablished and created In the same year the Project Sawa Beach was launched Since 1888 terracotta bricks have been produced in Douala 4 The publication Suites architecturales 4 focuses on heritage and reappropriation in the architecture of Douala and it presents some of the characteristics of the buildings and architecture of Douala after its independence Among those buildings are the casino the show room La Meublerie the exhibition hall Cami Toyota Union Bank of Cameroon Immeuble Hollando the Baptist church Immeuble Victoria headquarters of CA SCB espace doual art and Orange Flagship The Palace Dika Akwa Mukanda was built in 1990 Along the city s main thoroughfare lie some of Cameroon s best restaurants coffee houses and French style patisseries along the waterfront many bars and bistros may be found commanding views of the Gulf of Guinea and nearby mangrove swamps Many of these are frequented by the city s large expatriate population mainly French or Lebanese most of whom work in the petroleum industry citation needed Culture editDouala Maritime Museum a museum showcasing the rich maritime history of Douala The building is shaped like a boat however the museum only occupies 400 m2 of the building It is located in the administrative area Bonanjo Doual art an art gallery center La Nouvelle Liberte a 12m piece from Joseph Francis Sumegne inaugurated in 2007 A permanent monumental sculpture made with recycled material located at a main roundabout in Douala It is 12 meters high with a wingspan of 5 meters The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul The Centennial TempleImages of the statue of Liberty in Douala nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp Places of worship editThe city s population is predominantly Christian and contains houses of worship of numerous denominations Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Douala Catholic Church Evangelical Church of Cameroon World Communion of Reformed Churches Presbyterian Church in Cameroon World Communion of Reformed Churches Union of Baptist Churches in Cameroon Baptist World Alliance Integrity for All Christian Missionary Fellowship and Associated Churches Full Gospel Mission Cameroon Assemblies of God 22 There are also Muslim mosques A small community has begun to practice Judaism in Douala but they do not have a synagogue yet 23 Education editMain article Education in Cameroon As in most large cities in Cameroon there are several nursery primary secondary and high schools in the city In recent years there has been a surge in the number of private schools citation needed It is interesting to note that there is also a large informal educational sector that caters to a huge part of the population mostly individuals with a primary school certificate or those with no education at all citation needed This form of education is common in sectors like cloth manufacturing bread making construction security and car repairing Individuals from these informal sectors are by far the most visibly deprived in neighborhoods such as Ndokoti Bepanda Village Logbaba The city of Douala is home to a number of higher education institutions including the University of Douala 24 There are also a number of professional schools the most prominent one being the Douala Maritime institute Douala has an aviation school called CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Douala nbsp Lycee Joss Entrance nbsp Interior of Lycee Joss nbsp Lycee de New Bell Entrance nbsp Interior of Lycee de New Bell nbsp Lycee de New Bell ClassroomsTransportation edit nbsp Gare de Bessengue Douala s train station nbsp Douala International Airport nbsp Douala seaportDouala is linked by rail to Yaounde Ngaoundere Kumba and Nkongsamba Douala has a fairly developed road network compared to other cities in Cameroon However many of the city s roads have decayed due to years of neglect and corruption Efforts have recently been made to renovate the city s roads especially in the most deprived neighborhoods In spite of the numerous domestic and international investments the roads remain in deplorable state largely due to embezzlement and corruption citation needed A brt network is planned for Douala with the first 3 lines projected to open in 2024 2025 25 needs update The Douala International Airport is located in the eastern part of the city There are direct flights to several European cities including Paris Brussels and Istanbul Regional and continental destinations include Abidjan Brazzaville Dakar Johannesburg Kinshasa Lagos Malabo and Nairobi The airport is the busiest in the CEMAC area and is the hub for Cameroon s national carrier Camairco The airport is in dire need of renovations due to poor circulation and old infrastructure The seaport has 8 5 metres 28 feet of draft Economy editDouala is a city with a modest oil resource in Africa but is in excellent agricultural condition therefore it has one of best economies in Africa However it also faces some problems like other underdeveloped countries such as heavy civil service and bad climate flood tornado storm to business citation needed Main economic parameters are GDP 42 2 billion 2006 est GDP growth rate 4 1 2006 est Exports partners Spain 17 3 Italy 13 8 France 9 5 South Korea 8 1 UK 8 1 Netherlands 7 9 Belgium 4 9 US 4 3 2005 Imports partners France 21 Nigeria 15 Belgium 6 3 China 5 6 US 5 1 Thailand 4 5 Germany 4 2 2005 nbsp Mboppi marketWealth and poverty edit Even though Douala is the economic center of Cameroon a large percentage of its inhabitants live below the poverty line Recent data shows that about thirty percent of the population lives in poverty Avameg Inc While the aforementioned percentage is doubled for rural regions poverty is a growing problem for Douala due to its steadily increasing population Unlike the rural populations of Cameroon that can grow their own foods to lessen their expenses Douala locals are disadvantaged by living in the port city where there are not many opportunities for monetary gain 26 Notable people editIbrahim Amadou 1993 footballer Patrick Baudry 1946 second French astronaut and first astronaut of an African country Clement Antoine Bayema 1988 professional Cameroonian footballer Prince Rene Douala Manga Bell 1927 2012 chief of Douala 27 Francis Bebey 1929 2002 author BeBe Zahara Benet 1980 drag queen Mister Bibal Samuel Ludwig Salla 1988 musician and producer Hemley Boum 1973 writer Jean Alain Boumsong 1979 footballer Louis Brody 1892 1951 German actor Manu Dibango 1933 2020 musician saxophonist and singer world jazz ethno jazz Herman Dzumafo 1980 footballer Angele Etoundi Essamba 1962 photographer Samuel Eto o 1981 footballer Kareyce Fotso 2010 singer Kenny Kadji born 1988 basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League 28 Alvine Kamaha UCLA professor and physicist Anouk Aimee Takam Kenmoe 1979 footballer Christian Koloko 2000 basketball player Narcisse Mouelle Kombi 1962 writer and politician Maka Kotto 1961 Canadian politician Guy Kouemou 1970 inventor and aerospace engineer Bobby Kamwa 2000 footballer Jacques Kuoh Moukouri 1909 2002 author and diplomat Therese Kuoh Moukouri 1938 feminist and author Veronique Mang 1984 track athlete Marc Kibong Mbamba 1988 footballer Christian Ngan 1983 entrepreneur businessman and financier Paul Georges Ntep 1992 footballer Petit Pays 1967 singer dancer author Jean Pierre Dikongue Pipa 1940 cineast Pascal Siakam 1994 basketball player 2019 NBA Champion Pierre Wome 1979 footballer Carlos Takam 1980 professional boxerTwin towns sister cities editDoula is twinned with the following places nbsp Strasbourg France nbsp Akhisar Turkey nbsp Dakar Senegal nbsp Newark United States nbsp Philadelphia United States nbsp Windhoek NamibiaSee also editList of colonial governors of Cameroon Timeline of DoualaReferences edit a b Cameroon Regions Major Cities amp Towns Population Statistics Maps Charts Weather and Web Information www citypopulation de Notes from Richard Mother Jackson published in R P Bouchaud 1948 and 1952 Britannica Douala britannica com USA accessed on July 7 2019 a b c d e f Diwouta Kotto Daniele 2010 Suites architecturales Kinshasa Douala Dakar Epinal Association VAA p 42 Mark Dike DeLancey Mark W Delancey Rebecca Neh Mbuh Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon Rowman amp Littlefield USA 2019 p 176 Edmond Kamguia Koumchou 2003 Le Journalisme du Carton Rouge Douala Editions l Etincelle d Afrique Cameroon and the German Lake Chad Railway World Digital Library Retrieved 16 February 2013 a b c d World Weather Information Service Douala World Meteorological Organization Retrieved 13 June 2016 a b Klimatafel von Douala Duala Observatorium Kamerun PDF Baseline climate means 1961 1990 from stations all over the world in German Deutscher Wetterdienst Retrieved 13 June 2016 Station Douala in French Meteo Climat Retrieved 13 June 2016 Douala Climate Normals 1961 1990 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Retrieved 13 June 2016 Kouega Jean Paul 2007 The Language Situation in Cameroon Current Issues in Language Planning 8 1 3 94 doi 10 2167 cilp110 0 S2CID 143923073 La langue francaise dans le monde Editions Nathan 2014 p 30 Douala Cameroon in Dickson Eyoh Paul Tiyambe Zeleza eds Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century African History Routledge 2002 p 151 Jacques Soulillou 1989 Douala un siecle en images Paris L Harmattan p 9 French national archives Section Outre mer and Departement des Estampes Documentation Francais Phototheque Afrique Archives des Peres du Saint Esprit Archives des Missions des Eglises Evangeliques Agence France Press Archives of Mission 21 Welwirtschafsvelten Deutsch Afrika Linien Staatliche Archivverwaltung Archive Photo Prunet Goethe Institut J Gordon Melton Martin Baumann Religions of the World A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices ABC CLIO USA 2010 p 484 486 A SYNOPSIS OF THE JEWS OF SUB SAHARAN AFRICA Sub Saharan African Synagogues Retrieved 2023 03 16 Presidential act n 93 030 of 19 January 1993 Douala tram project poised to launch 15 February 2019 Cameroon www nationsencyclopedia com Retrieved 12 November 2016 Cameroun qui etait Son Altesse Royale le Prince Rene Douala Manga Bell afrik com in French 4 January 2013 Kenny Kadji University of Miami Athletics June 2 2017 nbsp Bonamousadi douala CameroonFurther reading editSee also Bibliography of the history of Douala in English Brooke James 1987 Informal Capitalism Grows in Cameroon The New York Times November 30 in English Derrick Jonathan 1977 Review of Douala ville et histoire by Rene Gouellain Africa Journal of the International African Institute 47 4 in French Diwouta Kotto Daniele 2010 Suites architecturales Kinshasa Douala Dakar Epinal Association VAA in English Elate Som Simon 2004 African Urban History in the Future In Steven Salm and Toyin Falola eds Globalization and Urbanization in Africa Trenton Africa World Press in French Gouellain Rene 1969 Douala ville et histoire Paris Institut d ethnologie Musee de l homme in English Hance William 1964 The Geography of Modern Africa New York Columbia University Press in English Lambi C M and Hombe L F 2002 Environmental Hazards and Landuse Planning for Sustainable Development the Douala Unstable Coastal Region In R G Macinnes and Jenny Jakeways eds Instability Planning and Management London Thomas Telford in French Lauber Wolfgang 1988 Architectures allemandes au Cameroun 1884 1914 Stuttgart Karl Kramer Verlag in English Levine Victor 1971 The Cameroon Federal Republic Ithaca NY Cornell University Press in French Mainet Guy 1985 Douala croissance et servitudes Paris L Harmattan in English Njoh Ambe 2003 Planning in Contemporary Africa Aldershot Ashgate in French Seraphin Gilles 2000 Vivre a Douala L imaginaire et l action dans une ville africaine en crise Paris L Harmattan in English Simone A M 2004 For the City Yet to Come Changing African Life in Four Cities Durham Duke University Press in French Soulillou Jacques 1989 Douala un siecle en images Paris L Harmattan in English Schler Lynn 2008 The Strangers of New Bell Immigration Public Space and Community in Colonial Douala 1914 1960 Pretoria Unisa in English Brooke James 1987 Informal Capitalism Grows in Cameroon The New York Times November 30 in English Derrick Jonathan 1977 Review of Douala ville et histoire by Rene Gouellain Africa Journal of the International African Institute 47 4 in French Diwouta Kotto Daniele 2010 Suites architecturales Kinshasa Douala Dakar Epinal Association VAA in English Elate Som Simon 2004 African Urban History in the Future In Steven Salm and Toyin Falola eds Globalization and Urbanization in Africa Trenton Africa World Press in French Gouellain Rene 1969 Douala ville et histoire Paris Institut d ethnologie Musee de l homme in English Hance William 1964 The Geography of Modern Africa New York Columbia University Press in English Lambi C M and Hombe Hombe 2002 Environmental Hazards and Landuse Planning for Sustainable Development the Douala Unstable Coastal Region In R G Macinnes and Jenny Jakeways eds Instability Planning and Management London Thomas Telford in French Lauber Wolfgang 1988 Architectures allemandes au Cameroun 1884 1914 Stuttgart Karl Kramer Verlag in English Levine Victor 1971 The Cameroon Federal Republic Ithaca NY Cornell University Press in French Mainet Guy 1985 Douala croissance et servitudes Paris L Harmattan in English Njoh Ambe 2003 Planning in Contemporary Africa Aldershot Ashgate in French Seraphin Gilles 2000 Vivre a Douala L imaginaire et l action dans une ville africaine en crise Paris L Harmattan in English Simone A M 2004 For the City Yet to Come Changing African Life in Four Cities Durham Duke University Press in French Soulillou Jacques 1989 Douala un siecle en images Paris L Harmattan External links edit nbsp Media related to Douala at Wikimedia Commons Official Douala website Satellite image of Douala from Google Earth4 03 N 9 42 E 4 050 N 9 700 E 4 050 9 700 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Douala amp oldid 1189527706, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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