Douala, Cameroon - La Cathedrale / Cathedral - real photo postcard c.1940s

• • Postcard

     

  • Picture / Image:  Douala, Cameroon (Cameroun), Africa - La Cathedrale (Cathedral) - real photo postcard
  • Publisher:  R. Guerpillon
  • Postally used:  no
  • Stamp:  n/a
  • Postmark(s): n/a
  • Sent to:  n/a
  • Notes / condition: 

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

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Douala (German: Duala) is the largest city in Cameroon, the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region and the richest city in the whole CEMACregion of six countries. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country. Consequently, it handles most of the country's major exports, such as oil, cocoa and coffee, timber, metals and fruits. As of 2010 the city and its surrounding area had an estimated population that surpassed 3,000,000 inhabitants. The city sits on the estuary of the Wouri River and its climate is tropical.

Settlements had already existed on present-day Douala prior to the arrival of the Portuguese, British, and Germans; however, it was during the German colonization that the city began to develop rapidly as a commercial and political hub of the German colonial administration. During World War I a bitter battle was fought for control of Douala. The City surrendered to British and French forces on the 27th of September, 1914. A joint Anglo-French condominium governed the city until a comprehensive agreement ceded it (and much of Cameroon) to the French. After the independence of Cameroon, Douala has grown rapidly. Local industries, trade, and other opportunities have attracted an unprecedented influx of migrants, especially from the western region of Cameroon. People from other countries in the region have also permanently settled in the city; they include Nigerians, Chadians, and Malians. In recent times city authorities have been overwhelmed by rapidly increasing population; services are stretched and there is an urgent need to enhance the city's ability to cope with the rapid growth.

Douala is the 27th most expensive city in the world and the most expensive in Africa, overtaking Lagos. It is ranked 27th for 2009, up from 34th in 2008.[2] In 2007 it was ranked 24th in the world and 1st in Africa.[3] Douala is the first city in tropical Africa to have a piped natural gas supply (presently serving only industrial customers).

According to Jacques Soulillou,[9] historical images of Douala document the areas of Akwa (Plateau Joss) and the port between 1860 and 1960, while the district of Bonaberi, Deido and New Bell have almost no images. The archives which provide documentation about the city are based in Paris,[10] Basel,[11] Hamburg,[12] Potsdam,[13] Douala[14] and Yaoundé.[15] The Native Baptist Church is built 1849. In 1896 a first urban plan of the city is developed during the German colonial period. The plan includes an hospital, the governor residency, the palace of justice, the police station, administrative buildings and buildings for the port and customs (among those the Old Woermann Linie Bachelors House). Also the Bonakouamouang Chimney dates back to this period. In 1904 starts the construction of the Villa Mandessi Bell, in 1905 the palace of the King Manga Ndumbe Bell (also called la Pagode) is built and in 1906 the general plan of Gross Douala is established. In 1914 the large population living in Bonanjo is moved to the new estate of Neue Bell (New Bell). Between 1925 and 1930, during the French colonial period, the chamber of commerce, the new palace of justice, the new railway station, the vault of the Kings Bell and the catholic cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul are built. Constructions are intensified between 1930 and 1955 and in 1955 the bridge on the Wouri River is built. In 1935 the Mausoleum of the Kings Akwa is constructed. In 1947 the Temple of the Centenary is build. In 1959 a new city plan is designed (Plan Dorian); according to Danièle Diwouta-Kotto,[5] this plan is still influencing Douala urban development. After the independence of 1960 a new development and urban plan is established and in 1998 a research prepares the diagnostic for 2015 horizon. In 2005 a new development and urban plan is designed and routes and public canalizations are reestablished and created. In the same year the Project Sawa-Beach is launched Since 1888 terracotta bricks are produced in Douala.[5] The publication Suites architecturales[5] focuses on heritage and reappropriation in the architecture of Douala and it presents some of the characteristics of the buildings and architecture of Douala after its independence. Among those buildings the Casino, the Show-room La Meublerie, the Exhibition hall Cami-Toyota, Union Bank of Cameroon, Immeuble Hollando, the Baptist Church, Immeuble Victoria, Headquarters CA-SCB, espace doual'art, Orange Flagship. The Palace Dika Akwa Mukanda is built in 1990.