Southwest Province

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Southwest Province
Province
Country	Cameroon
Divisions	Fako, Koupe-et-Manengouba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme, Ndian
Capital	Buea
Area	24,571 km² (9,487 sq mi)
Population	838,042 (1987)
Density	34 /km² (88 /sq mi) (5th)
Governor	Louis Eyeya Zanga
Location of Southwest Province within Cameroon

The Southwest Province is a province of Cameroon. Its capital is Buea. As of 1987, its population was 838,042. Along with the Northwest Province, it is one of the two anglophone (english-speaking) provinces of Cameroon, and has long been a hotbed of separatist resentment against the perceived Francophone domination of the country.

The province is divided into six divisions or préfectures: Fako, Kupe-Manenguba, Lebialem, Manyu, Meme, and Ndian. These are in turn broken down into subdivisions. Presidentially appointed senior divisional officers (prefets) and subdivisional officers (sous-prefets) govern each respectively.

The province was notable for having the first English-speaking university in Cameroon (the University of Buea), the first vice-chancellor being Professor Tanyi Mbuagbaw. Akin to the Northwest Province, the Southwest enjoys a considerably better infrastructure than its francophone neighbours.

Important towns include the capital Buea, Limbe, Tiko, Kumba and Mamfe. Limbe in particular is a popular tourist resort notable for its fine beaches. Korup National Park is also a major attraction. Buea itself, meanwhile, sits at the foot of Mount Cameroon, and possesses an almost temperate climate markedly different from the rest of the province.

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