GAROUA

also spelled Garua, town, northeastern Cameroon, west central Africa. The town lies along the right bank of the Benue (Bnou) River, north-northeast of Yaound, the national capital. It is situated at the junction of the MarouaNgaoundr road and the Benue waterway and is the chief commercial centre of the region. The town was founded by Modibbo Adama, the Fulani amir who founded the kingdom of Adamawa in the first half of the 19th century. It developed as a river port. River steamers and barges bring petroleum and cement to Garoua and carry its hides, skins, cotton, and peanuts (groundnuts) 1,200 miles (1,900 km) down the Benue to Burutu, Nigeria, during the brief shipping period (AugustSeptember). Ground transportation partially replaced river transport for commerce after the construction of the railway to Douala on the Atlantic coast. Nearby cotton plantations supply Garoua's weaving factory; support its ginning, dyeing, and spinning industries; and motivate the textile research company in the town. Other industries include leatherwork, fishing, and tourism encouraged by the nearby Faro, Bnou, and Bouba Ndjida game reserves. Garoua is served by an airfield, a hospital, a customs station, several banks and insurance companies, and a junior college. Pop. (1985 est.) 96,186.