Yaoundé, estimated population 1,430,000 (2004), is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the West African country after Douala. It lies in the centre of the nation at about 750 metres above sea level.

History

Yaoundé was founded in 1888 by German traders as a base for the ivory trade. It was occupied by Belgian troops during World War I and after the war was the capital of French Cameroon .

Economy

Industries include cigarettes, dairy products, clay and glass goods, and lumber. Yaoundé is a regional center for coffee, cacao, copra, sugar cane, and rubber.

Miscellaneous

Attractions in the city include the Cameroon Art Museum (located in a Benedictine monastery), the Cameroon National Museum and the Afhemi Museum . The city is also home an international airport, while railway lines run to Douala and N'Gaoundéré. Yaoundé is the site of the University of Yaoundé.