Since
Francophone Cameroun's independence in 1960, Abong-Mbang has become an
important centre of commerce for the East Province. This has led to a
cosmopolitan influx of immigrants from outside the Maka area. An
estimated 99% of males and 95% of females speak French. However, among
traders, Ewondo is the lingua franca of choice: 72% use Ewondo but only
48% use French in market situations. By the late 1970s, the government
had zoned large areas of the surrounding forest for timber exploitation.
Most timber and bush meat traffic from the East Province passes through
the town. Union Abong-Mbang FC is the local football (soccer) team.The
town often suffers prolonged cuts to electric power, which the utility
company, AES-SONEL, blames on an aging power plant. On 17 September
2007, violent protests against the cuts ended with two protesters dead
and 10 others seriously injured.
Abong-Mbang lies on the South
Cameroon Plateau, approximately 700 metres above sea level. The soils
are red. The Boumba,Dja, and Nyong rivers rise in the Abong-Mbang
region. The Nyong forms the town's northern border and is navigable for
about 160 km (100 mi) to Mbalmayo in the Centre Province. The area along
the Nyong consists of swampy forests that support populations of raffia
palm, such as Raphia montbuttorum. The area surrounding the town
consists of secondary-growth forest of semi-deciduous trees,
particularly Stertuliaceae and Ulmaceae; the primary-growth forest has
been removed for logging and farming. In some areas, the forests are
further degraded and home to other forms of vegetation. The Abong-Mbang
Forest Reserve is north of the town. Local wildlife includes populations
of Western lowland gorilla and forest elephants. An estimated 100
elephants lived in the Abong-Mbang Forest Reserve in 1998. The Ntimbe
Caves are 18 km (11 mi) south of the town
