Yabassi
Encyclopedia
Yabassi is a town and commune
in western Cameroon
, and capital of the Nkam
department. Its population in 2001 was estimated at 12,000. The main dialect spoken is the Bassa Yabassi. However, there are also other dialects originating in the Nkam which are spoken.
, Yabassi was a commercial hub and strategic town. The city was once cut in two but not anymore thanks to the bridge that connects the Nkam administrative center in the old neighborhood called Ndokbele.
, cassava
, potato
, yam
, plantain
, etc.). In recent years, there has also been a proliferation of oil palm cultivation. This is made possible thanks to the fertile land in the area. Small business, particularly in the main town is the second most important trade. Due to its dense forest, Yabassi is being exploited by loggers, mostly Asian companies.
The city is handicapped by the lack of paved roads, making it difficult to travel the 100 km separating the city from the economic capital of Cameroon, Douala
.
Communes of Cameroon
The Communes of Cameroon are the third-level units of administration in Cameroon. The communes are organised by arrondissements of the Divisions of Cameroon of each province....
in western Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, and capital of the Nkam
Nkam
Nkam is a department of Littoral Province in Cameroon. The department covers an area of 6,291 km² and as of 2001 had a total population of 66,979.The capital of the department lies at Yabassi.-Subdivisions:...
department. Its population in 2001 was estimated at 12,000. The main dialect spoken is the Bassa Yabassi. However, there are also other dialects originating in the Nkam which are spoken.
History
At the time of the German protectorate in CameroonKamerun
German Cameroon was a West African colony of the German Empire from 1884 to 1916 in the region of today's Republic of Cameroon.-History:-1800s:...
, Yabassi was a commercial hub and strategic town. The city was once cut in two but not anymore thanks to the bridge that connects the Nkam administrative center in the old neighborhood called Ndokbele.
Economy
The communal economy relies mainly on rural agriculture. The sector employs over 90% of the population. The main agricultural products are food crops (cocoyamCocoyam
Cocoyam can mean:* Taro - old cocoyam* Malanga - new cocoyam...
, cassava
Cassava
Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...
, potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
, yam
Yam (vegetable)
Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea . These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania...
, plantain
Plantain
Plantain is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa. The fruit they produce is generally used for cooking, in contrast to the soft, sweet banana...
, etc.). In recent years, there has also been a proliferation of oil palm cultivation. This is made possible thanks to the fertile land in the area. Small business, particularly in the main town is the second most important trade. Due to its dense forest, Yabassi is being exploited by loggers, mostly Asian companies.
The city is handicapped by the lack of paved roads, making it difficult to travel the 100 km separating the city from the economic capital of Cameroon, Douala
Douala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country...
.