Garoua (also Garua; Fula: 𞤺𞤢𞤪𞤱𞤢, Garwa) is a port city and the capital of the North Region of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. A thriving centre of the textiles and cotton industries, the city has approximately 200,000 inhabitants in 2023, mostly Fulbe/Fulani people.
History
Garoua was established by the Fulani emir Modibbo Adama in the first half of the 19th century. During the steamship era, it developed into a major river port.
The population of the city was 30,000 in 1967.
Geography
Garoua is situated in northern Cameroon, and lies on the Benue River. Neighborhoods include Commercial Centre, Lopere, Quartier de Marouare, Poumpoumre, Roumde Adjia and the northwestern suburb of Yelwa, near Garoua International Airport.
Climate
Garoua has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw), with a wet season and a dry season and the temperature being hot year-round. The average temperature in Garoua ranges from in December and January, the coolest months, to in April, the hottest month. The hottest time of year is in March and April, just before the wet season starts. March has the highest average high at , while the highest average low is in April. August has the lowest average high at , while December has the lowest average low at .
Garoua receives of rain over 88 precipitation days, with a distinct wet and dry season like most tropical savanna climates. December, January and February receive no precipitation at all. August, the wettest month, receives of rainfall on average. September has 24 precipitation days, which is the most of any month. Garoua receives 2927.1 hours of sunshine annually on average, with the sunshine being distributed evenly across the year, although it is lower during the wet season.
Demographics
In 2023, Garoua had a population of 200,000 people. The city is inhabited by the Fulbe ethnic group. Due to a significant number of Chadian expatriates in the city, there is a Chadian Consulate here. Garoua is a major center of trade in the country. It developed as a centre for trade in petroleum, cement, hides, peanuts, and cotton, transported on ships along the Benue River, between Burutu in Nigeria.
The cotton company Sodecoton has one of its major centres in the city.
Leatherwork and fishing are also notable industries.
thumb|Mosque in Garoua
Transport
Garoua is served by Garoua International Airport.
The United States military uses the airport as a base to conduct unmanned aerial vehicle operations. The city lies on National Highway 1,
- Ahmadou Ahidjo (1924–1989), first president of Cameroon
- Youssoufa Daoua (1947–2015), politician
- Gautier Bello (born 1983), footballer
- Vincent Aboubakar (born 1992), professional footballer