Area

150 square kilometers.

Geographical Location

As Cameroon’s largest port city, Douala is located on the Wouri River Delta in the southwest and accessible to ocean-going vessels.

Population

Approximately 2 million.

Introduction

Named after the local Duala ethnic group, Douala was a colonial trading post for slaves, ivory and resources from the 16th to the 19th century. Since independence, it has grown into Cameroon’s largest industrial center and transportation hub, served by a major international airport. Its northern port handles 3.85 million tons of cargo annually, accounting for 90% of national imports and exports, and transships goods for the Central African Republic and Chad. The western downtown area features European-style commercial, administrative and cultural buildings. New Bell in the south is a major local residential area. Industrial zones are located in eastern Bassamba and Bonabéri, linked to the city by an 1,800-meter bridge.

Economy

Douala is Cameroon’s leading industrial, commercial and transportation hub.

Agriculture

Douala is rich in agricultural resources, producing timber, cocoa, coffee, cotton and bananas.

Industry

As Cameroon’s largest industrial center, Douala features industries including wood processing, oil pressing, textiles, chemicals, paper making, rubber, cement, and vehicle and ship repair.

Tourism

There are 12 tourist attractions in the city, including one of Cameroon’s oldest Catholic churches and a combined railway and highway bridge spanning the Sanaga River.

Transportation

Douala is a major transportation hub in Cameroon, connecting to Yaoundé, the capital city, in the east, and to Nkongsamba and Kumba in the north. A large international airport is situated in the suburbs.

Culture

Akwa is the city’s nightlife center, while Bonanjo is the commercial and administrative district. About 2,000 Chinese merchants operate businesses in textiles, footwear, bags and accessories, with several Chinese malls on Avenue Amack Aijo, less than 200 meters long in the city center.

Education

Douala has a relatively developed education sector, with libraries, museums and exhibition halls.

Date of Sister-city Relationship Establishment

October 12, 1999.