Yaoundé
Yaoundé (UK: /jɑːˈʊndeɪ, -ˈuːn-/; US: /ˌjɑːʊnˈdeɪ/, French pronunciation: [ja.unde]) is the capital of Cameroon and, with a population of more than 2.8 million, the second-largest city in the country after the port city Douala. It lies in the Centre Region of the nation at an elevation of about 750 metres (2,500 ft) above sea level.
Yaoundé | |
|---|---|
Panoramic, Caisse Nationale de Prévoyance Sociale building, Ministère de l'éducation building, Bank of Central African States building, Independence square, day over in the city, Yaoundé Sports Palace, Musée National du Cameroun and Centre Pasteur | |
| Nickname: La Ville aux Sept Collines | |
Yaoundé Map of Cameroon showing the location of Yaoundé Yaoundé Yaoundé (Africa) | |
| Coordinates: 3°52′N 11°31′E | |
| Country | Cameroon |
| Region | Centre |
| Department | Mfoundi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 180 km2 (70 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 726 m (2,382 ft) |
| Population (2015 Projection) | |
| • Total | 2,765,600 |
| • Density | 15,000/km2 (40,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (CEST) |
The outpost of Epsumb or Jeundo was founded between the Nyong and Sanaga rivers at the northern edge of the area's forests in 1887 by German explorers as a trading base for rubber and ivory. A military garrison was built in 1895 which enabled further colonization. After Imperial Germany's defeat in World War I, France held eastern Cameroon as a mandate, and Yaoundé was chosen to become the capital of the colony in 1922.
Douala remained the more important settlement, but Yaoundé saw rapid growth and continued as the seat of government for the Republic of Cameroon upon its independence in 1960. Most of Yaoundé's economy is still centred on the administrative structure but major industries in Yaoundé include tobacco, dairy products, beer, clay, glass goods and timber. The city has many striking monuments and buildings, such as the Presidential Palace and Palais des Congrès.