Bambouto massif
| Bambouto massif | ||
|---|---|---|
| Highest peak | Mount Mélétan ( 2740 m ) | |
| location | Sud-Ouest , Ouest , Cameroon | |
|
||
| Coordinates | 5 ° 38 ' N , 10 ° 5' E | |
| surface | 800 km² | |
The Bambouto massif , also called Bamboutos massif or Bambouto mountains , is located in the southwest of the Bamenda highlands , on the border of the provinces of Ouest and Sud-Ouest in Cameroon . Southwest of the Bambouto massif are the volcanoes Kupe (approx. 70 km), Manengouba (approx. 40 km) and the Cameroon Mountain (approx. 160 km).
The Bambouto massif is a volcanic mountain range , part of the Cameroon line and covers an area of approx. 800 km². The massif at Mount Mélétan, which has a summit height of 2740 meters above sea level, reaches its greatest height. This makes it the third highest mountain range in Cameroon after the Cameroon Mountain and the Oku Massif . In the center of the volcanic mountain range is a 13 × 8 km (110 km²) caldera that reaches a depth of 1300 meters. To the northeast, the massif merges into the Bamenda Mountains . The volcanic activity phases could be determined with the help of radiometric studies to an age between 22.5 million and 500,000 years. The massif consists mainly of basalts , trachytes , ignimbrites , rhyolites and phonolites , these are built up in layers of different thicknesses.
The climate of the Bambouto massif is described as moderately humid and warm with an average rainfall of 2510 mm per year. The massif was overgrown with a tropical rainforest until 100 years ago , but this was cleared due to the increase in population, expansion of the agricultural areas and the introduction of plantation management. A 222 hectare remnant of the rainforest was already designated as a nature reserve under German colonial administration , but is now considered severely threatened. Accordingly, the cross-river gorilla , chimpanzee, and drill populations are considered extinct. Other animal species such as the Bangwabusch warbler ( Bradypterus bangwaensis ) or the four-horned chameleon ( Chamaeleo trioceros quadricornis ) are considered critically endangered in the area.
The mountains are populated by the Bamileke ethnic group , whose language is known as the Bomboutos dialect cluster within the Bamileke languages . In terms of cultural geography , the Bamboutos massif belongs to the Cameroon grassland and is especially known for its characteristic masks. The elephant masks of the Aka secret society adorned with glass beads are particularly expressive. The population density is generally given as over 200 people / km².
Individual evidence
- ↑ RU Ubangoh, IH Pacca, JB Nyobe: Palaeomagnetism of the continental sector of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, West Africa . In: Geophysical Journal International , Volume 135, Issue 2, pp. 362-374 (English).
- ↑ M. Gountié Dedzo, E. Njonfang, A. Nono, P. Kamgang, G. Zangmo Tefogoum, A. Kagou Dongmo, DG Nkouathio: Dynamic and evolution of the Mounts Bamboutos and Bamenda calderas by study of ignimbritic deposits (West-Cameroon , Cameroon Line) ( Memento of the original from May 12, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . In: Syllabus Review , Sci. Ser. 3/2012, pp. 11–23 (English) (PDF file; 1.4 MB).
- ↑ Siéwé Jean Mermoz, Djoufac Woumfo Emmanuel, Bitom Dieudonné, Figueras François, Djomgoué Paul, Njopwouo Daniel and Azinwi Primus Tamfuh: Andosols of the Bambouto Mountains (West Cameroon): Characteristics, Superficial Properties - Study of the Phosphate Ions Adsorption. In: The Open Inorganic Chemistry Journal , issue 2/2008, pages: 106–115 doi : 10.2174 / 1874098700802010106
- ↑ Tangwa Sa'a: Desertification of the Bamboutos Mountain Forest in the West-Cameroon Highlands: Advocacy for Action (PDF; 94 kB)
- ^ Marlies Leonhardt: Masks in the Cameroonian Grasslands (German) (PDF file; 402 kB).
