Geography

At 475,442 km sq (183,568 mi sq), Cameroon is the world's 53rd-largest country, comparable in size to Papua New Guinea and about three and a half times larger than England. Its landmass is 469,440 km sq (181,252 mi sq), which includes 6,000 km² sq (2,317 mi sq) of water.

The country is located in Central and West Africa on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, and neighbours Nigeria to the northwest; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south.

Zones

Cameroon is divided into five major geographic zones distinguished by dominant physical, climatic and vegetative features.

Coastal Plain

The coastal plain extends 15-150 km (10-90 mi) inland from the Gulf of Guinea and has an average elevation of 90 m (295 ft). Exceedingly hot and humid, this belt is densely forested and includes some of the wettest places on earth.

South Cameroon Plateau

The South Cameroon Plateau rises from the coastal plain to an average elevation of 650 m (2,130 ft). Equatorial rainforest dominates this region, although it is less humid than the coast.

Cameroon Range

An irregular chain of mountains, hills and plateaus known as the Cameroon range extends from Mount Cameroon on the coast (Cameroon's highest point at 4,095 m or 13,435 ft) almost to Lake Chad at Cameroon's northern tip. This region enjoys a pleasant climate, particularly in the Western grassfields. Its soils are among Cameroon's most fertile, especially around volcanic Mount Cameroon.

Adamawa Plateau

The southern plateau rises northward to the grassy, rugged Adamawa Plateau. This feature stretches from the western mountain area and forms a barrier between the country's north and south. Its average elevation is 1,100 m (3,600 ft) and its climate ranges from 22° to 25° C (72° to 77° F).

Northern Savannah Plain

The northern lowland region extends from the edge of the Adamaoua to Lake Chad with an average elevation of 300-350 m (980-1,150 ft). Its characteristic vegetation is savannah scrub and grass. This is a region of sparse rainfall and high median temperatures.

Rivers

Cameroon has four patterns of drainage. In the south, the principal rivers are the Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and Wouri. These flow southwestward or westward directly into the Gulf of Guinea. The Dja and Kadéï drain southeastward into the Congo River. In northern Cameroon, the Benue River runs north and west and empties into the Niger. The Logone flows northward into Lake Chad, which Cameroon shares with three neighbouring countries: Chad, Nigeria and Niger.