Geography

Area

Climate

varies by geographical features, ranging from tropical along the coastline to semiarid and hot in the northern regions

Terrain

characterized by a variety of landscapes, including a coastal plain in the southwest, a dissected plateau in the central region, mountainous areas in the west, and plains in the north

Land use

Location

Located in Central Africa, adjacent to the Bight of Biafra, positioned between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Coastline

402 km

Elevation

Irrigated land

290 sq km (2012)

Major aquifers

Lake Chad Basin

Map references

Africa

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

Natural hazards

associated with volcanic activity that periodically emits toxic gases from the Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is recognized as the most active volcano in West Africa; the lakes within the Oku volcanic field can sometimes emit lethal gas levels, resulting in approximately 1,700 fatalities in 1986

Geography - note

often called the hinge of Africa due to its central position on the continent and its location at the west-south intersection of the Gulf of Guinea; features thermal springs and signs of active or past volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the tallest peak in Sub-Saharan West Africa, is an active volcano

Natural resources

natural resources include petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, and hydropower

Area - comparative

slightly larger than the state of California; approximately four times the area of Pennsylvania

Geographic coordinates

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Population distribution

population is primarily concentrated in the western and northern regions, while the interior sections of the country remain sparsely populated, as depicted in this population distribution map

Major lakes (area sq km)

Major watersheds (area sq km)