Littoral Region (Cameroon)

Littoral Region
Region
Country	Cameroon
Departments	Moungo, Nkam, Sanaga-Maritime, Wouri
Coordinates	4°00′N 10°00′E / 4.000°N 10.000°E / 4.000; 10.000Coordinates: 4°00′N 10°00′E / 4.000°N 10.000°E / 4.000; 10.000
Capital	Douala
Area	20,248 km2 (7,818 sq mi)
Population	3,174,437 (2013)
Density	157/km2 (407/sq mi) (3rd)
Governor	Joseph Beti Assomo (2012-)
Location of Littoral Region within Cameroon

The Littoral Region (French: Région du Littoral) is a region of Cameroon. Its capital is Douala. As of 2004, its population was 3,174,437.^[1] Its name is due to the region being largely littoral, and associated with the sea coast.

2008 presidential decree abolishes provinces

In 2008, the President of the Republic of Cameroon, President Paul Biya signed decrees abolishing "Provinces" and replacing them with "Regions". Hence, all of the country's ten former provinces are now known as Regions.

Divisions

Departments of Littoral

The region is divided into four departments (départements):

1. Moungo, with its capital at Nkongsamba.
2. Nkam, with its capital at Yabassi.
3. Sanaga-Maritime, with its capital at Édéa.
4. Wouri, forming the area around the major city of Douala.

These are in turn broken down into subdivisions. Presidentially appointed senior divisional officers (préfets) and subdivisional officers (sous-préfets) govern each. Traditional leaders, usually referred to as chiefs in English, often preside over particular ethnic groups or villages; nevertheless, many of these wield very little power today.

Notes and references