Kribi is a beach resort and sea port in Cameroon.

Kribi
Kribi beach, 2006
Kribi beach, 2006
Kribi is located in Cameroon
Kribi
Kribi
Location in Cameroon
Placement on map is approximate
Coordinates: 02°56′06″N 09°54′36″E / 2.93500°N 9.91000°E / 2.93500; 9.91000
Country Cameroon
ProvinceSouth
DepartmentOcéan
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Population
 (2012)[1]
 • Total
80,957
Kribi Beach in the evening
Kribi port, 2008

Location

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The coastal town of Kribi lies on the Gulf of Guinea, in Océan Department, South Province, at the mouth of the Kienké River. This location, lies approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi), by road, south of Douala, the largest city in Cameroon and the busiest seaport in the country.[2] The coordinates of Kribi are: 2° 56' 6.00"N, 9° 54' 36.00"E (Latitude: 2.9350; Longitude: 9.9100)

Overview

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Lobé waterfalls, Cameroon 2017

It has an estimated population of 55,401.[3] It services sea traffic in the Gulf of Guinea and also lies near the terminus of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. The Lobé Waterfalls are nearby and there is a road inland, through the Littoral Evergreen Forest, as far as Bipindi and Lolodorf where native communities of Pygmies are found.

Public health

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A January 2024 study[4] found high levels of parasitic worm eggs and larvae in waters along Kribi's famed beach. The species included tapeworms and nematode worms that cause significant morbidity in humans, likely passed from human fecal material in waste water.

Kribi Power Station

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Kribi Power Development Company (KPDC) has built a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant, Kribi Power Station, in the community of Mpolongwe, approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), north of the Kribi central business district. The 216 MW plant that cost US$390 million (CFA:176.3 billion) to build,[5] came on line in 2013. It is now owned by Globeleq[6] A second phase expansion is planned.

Port

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Near Kribi is the location of a proposed port for the export of iron ore from about 500 kilometres (310 mi) away and also bauxite. Since there is no natural harbour at Kribi, the port itself would be several kilometres offshore where deepwater of at least 20 metres (66 ft) is suitable for large Capesize ships. [7] It is also the location for the Kribi Lighthouse.

 
Location of Kribi in Cameroon

By 2017, the port development had started,[8] and by 2020 the port was being developed by Louis Berger.[9]

The port will be served by railways of two different gauges, 1435mm and 1000mm. There will be a new 130km rail link between the port and the existing metre gauge network at Edéa. Dual gauge sleepers could be installed so that the new lines are compatible with the proposed African Integrated High Speed Rail Network (AIHSRN).

Iron mine

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The iron ore will come from mines near Mbalam in Cameroon and near Nabeba in Republic of Congo. The mines would have an output of approximately 35 million tonnes per year, with a 30-year or so lifespan.[10] This line is to be standard gauge lines (1435mm) with a 37.5t axle load. In 2021, a contract was let to build the rail line to Mbalam. [11]

Bauxite mine

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It is proposed to connect the port of Kribi to a new bauxite mine in the north of Cameroon at Minim, Martap with a metre gauge (1000mm) 20t axle load railway.[12][13][14] A link line junctions from the Camrail line at Edéa and proceeds 110km to Kribi.

International relations

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Twin towns – Sister cities

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Kribi is twinned with:

Climate

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Kribi has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am). Due to its equatorial position, Kribi sees a short, fairly dry season and a long, very wet season. The hottest month, February, has an average high temperature of 32 C (89.6 F), and an average low of 25 C (77 F). The wettest month, September, sees 483 mm (19 in) of rain. 27 of the 30 days in September see rain. The driest month, December, sees 59 mm (2 in) of rain. The coldest month is August, with an average high of 28 C (82.4 F), and a low of 23 C (73.4 F). Humidity remains high year-round.

Climate data for Kribi, Cameroon
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32
(90)
32
(90)
32
(90)
32
(90)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24
(75)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
24
(75)
23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 68
(2.7)
84
(3.3)
194
(7.6)
236
(9.3)
296
(11.7)
281
(11.1)
240
(9.4)
313
(12.3)
483
(19.0)
456
(18.0)
160
(6.3)
59
(2.3)
2,870
(113)
Average rainy days 9 10 14 17 20 18 16 22 27 26 16 9 204
Source: World Meteorological Organisation (UN)[17]
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on January 11, 2013.
  2. ^ "Distance between Douala Obs. () Airport) and Kribi () (Airport) (Cameroon)". distancecalculator.globefeed.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  3. ^ "City (town) Kribi: map, population, location". www.tiptopglobe.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  4. ^ Nana, Paul Alain (January 2024). "Influence of tides on the dissemination and related health risks of intestinal helminths along the Kribi beaches (Atlantic Coast, Southern Cameroon)". Journal of Helminthology. 98: e10. doi:10.1017/S0022149X24000026. PMID 38263759. Retrieved Feb 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Cameroon Business - FCFA 60 Billion For Kribi Gas Fired Power Plant - Cameroon Today - Breaking News | Daily News Updates". news.cameroon-today.com. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  6. ^ "Cameroon: Kribi, Dibamba Power Plants Get New Owners". Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Ship size.
  8. ^ "Cameroon: Port Expansion Steers Cameroon's Vision 2035". Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  9. ^ "Louis Berger". Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  10. ^ "Overview of Mbalam Iron Ore Project in the Republic of Cameroon" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
  11. ^ Mbalam-Kribi railway
  12. ^ Minim-Martap mine
  13. ^ "Canyon Resources Map". Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  14. ^ "Canyon Resources & Map". Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  15. ^ "National Commission for Decentralised cooperation". Délégation pour l’Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales (Ministère des Affaires étrangères) (in French). Archived from the original on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
  16. ^ Kribi, twinned with Saint Nazaire in France[permanent dead link].
  17. ^ "World Weather Information Service - Kribi". July 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
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  •   Kribi travel guide from Wikivoyage
  •   Media related to Kribi at Wikimedia Commons

02°56′06″N 09°54′36″E / 2.93500°N 9.91000°E / 2.93500; 9.91000