Northwest Region (Cameroon)

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Northwest Region
Location of the Northwest Region within Cameroon
Coordinates: 6°20′N 10°30′E / 6.333°N 10.500°E / 6.333; 10.500Coordinates: 6°20′N 10°30′E / 6.333°N 10.500°E / 6.333; 10.500
Country	Cameroon
Capital	Bamenda
Departments	Boyo, Bui, Donga-Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, Momo, Ngo-Ketunjia (Ngoketunjia)
Government
• Governor	Adolphe Lele Lafrique (2012–)
Area
• Total	17,300 km2 (6,700 sq mi)
Population  (2015)
• Total	1,968,578
• Density	110/km2 (290/sq mi)
HDI (2017)	0.602[1] medium · 5th of 10

Commercial Avenue, Bamenda town

The Northwest Region, or North-West Region (French: Région du Nord-Ouest) is one of ten regions in Cameroon. Its regional capitol is Bamenda. The Northwest Region is part of the Southern Cameroons, found in the western highlands of Cameroon. It is bordered to the southwest by the Southwest Region, to the south by the West Region, to the east by the Adamawa Region, and to the north by Nigeria. Various Ambazonian nationalist and separatist factions regard the region as being distinct as a polity from Cameroon.^[2]

In 1919, the Northwest Region became solely administered by the British Empire.^[3] In 1961, the region joined the Cameroon.^[4] Separatists from the Ambazonia administration regard the both the Nord-Ouest (Northwest) and Sud-Ouest (Southwest) regions as being constituent components of their envisaged breakaway state.^[5]

Administration[]

The Northwest Region (known before 2008 as the Northwest Province) is the third most populated province in Cameroon. It has one major metropolitan city, Bamenda, with several other smaller towns such as Wum, Kumbo, Mbengwi, Ndop, Nkambé, Batibo, Bambui and Oshie. The province saw an increase in its population from approximately 1.2 million in 1987 to 1.8 million in 2010.^[6] The population density of 99.12 people per square kilometer is higher than the national average of 22.6. The provincial urban growth rate is 7.95%, higher than the national average of 5.6%, while the rural growth rate, at 1.16%, is equal to the national rate. In 2001, according to the Statistical Provincial Services of the North-West Province, the population of the province is young, with over 62% of its residents being less than 20 years old. Therefore, the dependency rate in the province is high, particularly in the rural areas.

Divisions of Northwest Cameroon

Like other regions in Cameroon, the Northwest Region is made up of administrative divisions. The province was created in 1972 with five divisions or departments: Bui, Donga-Mantung, Menchum, Mezam, and Momo. Today, it has seven divisions, the additions being Boyo, which was carved out of the Menchum division, and Ngo-Ketunjia or Ngoketunjia, split off from the Mezam division. Each division is further subdivided, with thirty-one total subdivisions in the Northwest Province. The basic unit of local government is the council, and there are thirty-two councils in the region.

Population[]

The Northwest Region has many ethnic groups, including immigrants from other regions and countries. Nigeria is well represented, as it borders the region to both the north and the northwest. The native population comprises a variety of ethnic and linguistic groups. The main ethnic groups are of Tikar origin: Tikari, Widikum, Fulani, and Moghamo. The most widely spoken languages in the province include Mungaka, Limbum spoken by the Wimbum people of Donga Mantung Division; Yamba, spoken by the Yamba people also of the Donga Mantung Division; Bafmen, Oku, Lamnso, Ngemba, Pidgin English, Balikumbat, Papiakum, Moghamo, and Nkom. During the colonial period, administrative boundaries were created which cut across ethnic groups and cultures. As a result, parts of some ethnic groups now lie in different divisions and provinces, which is believed to have led to several land conflicts.^{[citation needed]}

In the provinces, the social organization recognizes a chief as its head, also called the Fon. The Fons, who in their tribal area may be more influential than the official administrative authorities, are considered the living representative of the tribal ancestors.

Politics[]

The Northwest is a stronghold of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) which is one of the main opposition parties of Cameroon. Some Northwesterners feel completely marginalized by the government. There is also a secessionist movement, the SCNC (Southern Cameroon's National Council) whose goal is to secede from Cameroon and form a republic consisting of the English-speaking regions.^{[clarification needed]} Much of the SCNC's influence exists in the Northwest. In 2008, the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya, signed decrees abolishing "Provinces" and replacing them with "Regions". The Northwest Province subsequently became the Northwest Region.

Natural attractions[]

Rivers of the NW Region

The Northwest region has unique attractions, including the second highest mountain in West Africa, Mount Oku.^{[citation needed]} It is home to birds such as the Bannerman's turaco, which is unique to this region. There are also many crater lakes such as Lake Oku, , and Lake Nyos. The largest remaining mountain forest in the Northwest Region is the Kilum-Ijim Forest. Menchum Falls, and in the , are also located here.

• 

  Lake Nyos

• 

  Lake Oku

• 

  Lake Awing and environment

• 

  Forest around the Menchum falls

• 

  Closer view of lake Awing

• 

  Full extent of Menchum Falls

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northwest Region.

• "Background Note: Cameroon". 2010. Government of Cameroon. Accessed 11 March 2013.