GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The Archdiocese of Bamenda lies between the 5th and 7th latitudes North, and between the 9th and 11th degrees East longitude. It covers an area of 10.000 square kilometres. On three sides, the Archdiocese forms a fairly distinct geographical unit. It is marked off from the Upper Cross River Basin by a sharp escarpment, and from the middle basin of the Katsina Ala River to the north-west by a range of hills running north-east to the Gayama gap. It is marked off from the Nigerian State of Gongola to the north by an arc of mountains. No obvious topographical features separate the Archdiocese of Bamenda from the Bamileke Highlands to the east.
The whole circumscription is an area of grassy highlands with average base height of 1.400 metres. Hydrographically, the area forms the watershed of the Menchum and Katsina Ala Rivers which flow westward into Nigeria, and of the Noun and Mifi Rivers which flow south-east into the Mbam and Sanaga Rivers into the French-speaking territory of Cameroon.
Rainfall is high, reaching over 2.000 mm in some places, concentrated between May and October. Temperatures vary between 23 to 28 degrees centigrade.
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