Limbé, Cameroon

Limbé, also known as Limbe, is a seaside city in the South-West Region of Cameroon. It used to be called Victoria from 1858 until 1982, but today it is known as Limbé. The city is close to the ocean and has a special place in the country.

In 2005, the city had a population of 84,223 people. It is an important location for both the local community and visitors who enjoy its coastal beauty. Limbé is part of Cameroon's rich cultural and geographic landscape.

Toponymy

The city of Limbe was once called Victoria, but in 1982, the name was changed to Limbe by a special order from the president, Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo. Many people believe the name Limbe comes from a German engineer named Limburgh, who built a bridge over one of the rivers there. Over time, the river became linked with this engineer, and the name evolved into Limbe.

History

Victoria and the area around it were originally under British control and not part of the German colony known as Kamerun. On May 7, 1886, Great Britain and Germany made an agreement to exchange Victoria for German rights at the Forcados River in Nigeria and at St Lucia in Natal. By March 28, 1887, Victoria was handed over to German administration. Around the same time, Swiss Presbyterian missionaries purchased the land from the Baptist Missionary Society.

Later, in 1915, Victoria became part of British Cameroon again. In 1982, the city was renamed Limbe by Ahmadou Ahidjo. Recently, Limbe has been recognized by the Cameroonian government for its historical role in the slave trade, and efforts are being made to restore the site at Bimbia for visitors to learn about this part of history.

Language

The main language in the Southwest Province is English. Because the city of Limbé is close to Douala, where French is spoken, some people also use French there. Most people in Limbé speak English and a special version called Cameroonian Pidgin English. The local language of the area is Bakweri, and a few people from Wovia and Bimbia speak Bimbia or Isubu.

Main sights

Limbe is a beautiful seaside town with black sand beaches, sitting on a bay with mountains behind it. It is one of two coastal towns in Cameroon that many tourists visit, the other being Kribi. Some of the things to see in Limbe are the Limbe Wildlife Centre and the Limbe Botanical Gardens. You can also learn about history along the Bimbia slave trade route. Near Limbe, you can find a special tower called the Bismarck tower that was built a long time ago by the Germans. This area is home to the Bakweri people.

Transport

Limbe is connected by a railway from Soppo, near Buea, and by National Highway 3 to Yaoundé, passing through Tiko, Douala, and Edea, and also reaching Idenau.

The city has a small port with ferry services to Calabar, Bakassi, and Douala. There were plans to make it a big commercial port, but these plans have been delayed because of the Anglophone Crisis. Limbe also used to have an airport called Victoria Airport, but it is no longer in use because of neglect and growth in the area.

Commerce

Limbe is an important city for Cameroon's oil industry. It also has fishing and tourism. The Port of Limbe is one of Cameroon's four main ports and belongs to the International Association of Ports and Harbors.

Economy

Limbe is an important city in Cameroon. In 2008, a cement factory opened there. The city is home to the main office of one of Cameroon's biggest companies, the Cameroon Development Corporation. Limbe also has the only oil refinery in the country, called SONARA. Although Limbe has a small port, most trade for Cameroon, as well as for nearby countries, happens through the port of Douala.

Limbe is a popular place for tourists. It has many attractions, such as the Limbe Wildlife Center and the Limbe Botanic Garden. The city’s beaches have dark sand and are liked by visitors. There are several small hotels and guesthouses where both tourists and business people stay, including the LK Hotel, which offers great views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands.

Sport

Limbe is a city where people love sports, especially football. The city has many football clubs, such as Njala Quan Sports Academy, Victoria United (known as OPOPO), and Best Stars Academy. Plans are in place to build the Limbe Stadium, which will be supported by a company from China called the Exim Bank of China.

Culture

Every year, the Limbe City Council holds a big event called Limbe FESTAC. It started in 2014 and happens each year. During Limbe FESTAC, there are many fun activities like a special parade to begin the festival, a fashion show, a contest to choose Miss FESTAC, exhibitions, a race with canoes, traditional dancing, and displays of traditional food. People from all over Cameroon and even other countries come to enjoy and learn about the cultures of Cameroon and nearby African nations.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Cameroon

Limbe has special friendship connections with other cities around the world. It is linked with:

• Seattle, United States
• Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda