town located in southwestern Cameroon, situated at the head of steamboat navigation of the lower Sanaga River. Aluminum from Fria in neighbouring Guinea is the basis of the town's aluminum industry, which produces aluminum ingots, sheet metal, and household products. A school, a hospital, and living quarters are provided for staff and workers in the factory complex. Power for the plant and for other industries comes from Edéa's dam on the Sanaga. There are stone quarries, palm-oil mills, and cocoa and rubber plantations in the vicinity. Edéa is connected by rail and road to Douala (northwest) and Yaoundé (east) and by road to Kribi (south). Pop. (2004 est.) 234,072.