Region · CM-SW · CM010

South West

Headquarters
Buea
Area
24,764 km²
Population
2,098,489 (2025)
Centre
5.220, 9.286
International organisationHDX – Cameroon administrative boundaries (COD-AB)Published 26 Jan 2026Verified 4 Sept 2026
List of the places shown on the map

Divisions (6)

NameHeadquartersPopulation
FakoLimbe466,412 (2005)
Kupe-ManengubaBangem105,579 (2005)
LebialemMenji113,736 (2005)
ManyuMamfe181,039 (2005)
MemeKumba326,734 (2005)
NdianMundemba122,579 (2005)

Population

Population
YearInhabitantsTypeSource
20252,098,489Projection
20051,316,079Census · Resident population, 3rd general census (November 2005).

Geography

Relief and rivers

The South West is dominated by Mount Cameroon (about 4,040 m), an active volcano and the highest point of West and Central Africa, which plunges into the Atlantic at Limbe. To the north lie Mount Kupe and the Korup, Bakossi and Takamanda forests; to the west, the Rio del Rey estuary and the Bakassi peninsula.

Climate and natural environments

The coastal climate is the wettest in the country: Debundscha, at the foot of Mount Cameroon, receives close to 10,000 mm of rain a year. Korup National Park protects one of Africa's oldest rainforests.

Borders and hazards

The region borders Nigeria. Eruptions of Mount Cameroon (most recently in 1999 and 2000), floods in Limbe and landslides are the main natural hazards.