Maroua (Fula: Marwa, مَرْوَ‎, 𞤥𞤢𞤪𞤱𞤢) is the capital of the Far North Region of Cameroon, stretching along the banks of the Ferngo and Kaliao Rivers, in the foothills of the Mandara Mountains. The city had 301,371 inhabitants at the 2005 Census mainly Fulbe/Fulani ethnic group.

Maroua
Domayo District
Domayo District
Maroua is located in Cameroon
Maroua
Maroua
Location in Cameroon
Coordinates: 10°35′50″N 14°18′57″E / 10.59722°N 14.31583°E / 10.59722; 14.31583
Country Cameroon
ProvinceFar North
DepartmentDiamaré
Elevation
384 m (1,260 ft)
Population
 (2023)(Census)
 • City1,400,000
 • Metro
2,500,000
Area code00237

History

edit
 
Matakam dwellings near Maroua, Far North Region, Cameroon

The city was occupied by the Guiziga in the 17th century and the Mofu in the 18th century.[1]

The Maroua Declaration, a maritime boundary agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon, was signed in Maroua on 1 June 1975.

Economy

edit

Embroidery, leather goods, jewelry, pottery are important economic activities in the city. [2]

Transport

edit
 
Motocycle transport.

The city also has the Maroua Salak Airport.

Education

edit
 
Rectorate University of Maroua

The University of Maroua is based in the city.

Places of worship

edit

Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples : Roman Catholic Diocese of Maroua–Mokolo (Catholic Church), Evangelical Church of Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (World Communion of Reformed Churches), Cameroon Baptist Convention (Baptist World Alliance), Full Gospel Mission Cameroon (Assemblies of God).[3]

Climate

edit

The climate is Sahelian, being hot and dry for most of the year. Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as hot semi-arid (BSh).

Climate data for Maroua
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31.9
(89.4)
34.9
(94.8)
38.3
(100.9)
40.0
(104.0)
37.8
(100.0)
34.6
(94.3)
31.6
(88.9)
30.5
(86.9)
32.0
(89.6)
34.8
(94.6)
34.6
(94.3)
32.6
(90.7)
34.5
(94.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 24.5
(76.1)
27.3
(81.1)
30.8
(87.4)
32.6
(90.7)
31.3
(88.3)
28.9
(84.0)
26.8
(80.2)
26.0
(78.8)
26.7
(80.1)
28.3
(82.9)
27.2
(81.0)
25.0
(77.0)
27.9
(82.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 17.1
(62.8)
19.7
(67.5)
23.4
(74.1)
25.6
(78.1)
24.9
(76.8)
23.1
(73.6)
21.9
(71.4)
21.5
(70.7)
21.4
(70.5)
21.3
(70.3)
19.6
(67.3)
17.4
(63.3)
21.4
(70.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
16.8
(0.66)
18.5
(0.73)
62.7
(2.47)
102.7
(4.04)
197.4
(7.77)
235.2
(9.26)
131.4
(5.17)
25.5
(1.00)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
790.2
(31.11)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 0 0 0 3 7 10 16 18 13 4 0 0 71
Mean monthly sunshine hours 286.0 266.4 275.8 246.6 253.2 225.4 193.4 191.1 208.3 257.8 286.4 297.8 2,988.2
Source: NOAA[4]
 
Peak of Mindif in Maroua

Sport

edit

Sports activities are recognized on football, traditional wrestling.


References

edit
  1. ^ Mark Dike DeLancey, Rebecca Neh Mbuh, Mark W. Delancey, Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2010, p. 238
  2. ^ Britannica, Maroua, britannica.com, USA, accessed on July 7, 2019
  3. ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 484-486
  4. ^ "Maroua Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 8, 2015.

10°35′50″N 14°18′57″E / 10.5971°N 14.3157°E / 10.5971; 14.3157