Maroua is the capital of the Far North Region of Cameroon, on the Ferngo and Kaliao Rivers. The city had 201,371 inhabitants at the 2005 Census, and is a centre of cotton industry. The city also has an airport located near the town of Salak, an agricultural school, and ethnographic museum. To the North of the city is the famous Waza National Park. To the South is a large military base home to the BIR rapid intervention force. Mount Maroua dominates the skyline of the city. The climate is Sahelian, being hot and dry for most of the year. The predominant religion is Sufi Islam. The University of Maroua is based in the city.