town located in south-central Cameroon. It lies along the Nyong River south of Yaoundé. Located within the forest zone, it has a major plywood factory powered by electricity from the hydroelectric (hydroelectric power) complex at Edéa. It is also a commercial centre due to its position at the junction of three transportation routes: it lies on the main road south from Yaoundé, is the southeastern terminus of the railway from Douala, and serves as a river port on the Nyong River, which is seasonally navigable for 155 miles (250 km) from Mbalmayo east to Abong Mbang. Pop. (2001 est.) 65,400.