Cameroon

Full name of country: Republic of Cameroon

Region: Africa

Official language: French, English

Population: 30,966,105 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Cameroonian(s) (noun), Cameroonian (adjective)

Land area: 472,710 sq km (182,514 sq miles)

Water area: 2,730 sq km (1,054 sq miles)

Capital: Yaounde

National anthem: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers), by Rene Djam Afame, Samuel Minkio Bamba, Moise Nyatte Nko'O [French], Benard Nsokika Fonlon [English]/Rene Djam Afame

National holiday: State Unification Day (National Day), May 20, (1972)

Population growth: 2.71% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +1

Flag: The flag of Cameroon features a tricolor design of three equal vertical bars of green (left), red (middle), and yellow (right). A five-pointed yellow star is centered within the red stripe. The colors represent Pan-Africanism, and are further stated to stand for unity (red), the sun and Cameroon’s savanna landscapes (yellow), and the country’s lush forests (green).

Motto: "Paix, Travail, Patrie" (Peace, Work, Fatherland)

Independence: January 1, 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime

Suffrage: universal for those twenty years of age

Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law

The Republic of Cameroon is a country on the central western shore of the continent of Africa. Because of its location, it has been called the "Hinge of Africa." It is bordered to the east by Chad and the Central African Republic, to the south by Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and to the west by Nigeria and the Bight of Biafra. The citizens of Cameroon, who are mostly members of Black African ethnic groups, are known as Cameroonians.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Cameroon’s population is made up of many different ethnic groups. The Bamiléké-Bamu people, comprise 22.2 percent of the population, while Beti/Bassa, Mbam make up 13.1 percent (2022 est.). Other ethnic groups include the Biu-Mandara (16.4 percent); Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri (13.5 percent); Adamawa-Ubangi (9.8 percent); Grassfields (9.9 percent); Kako, Meka/Pygmy (2.3 percent); Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko (4.6 percent), and Southwestern Bantu (4.3 percent) (2022 est.). Urban areas, such as the capital city Yaoundé, contain a mix of ethnic groups. Ethnic tension and discrimination are common in Cameroon.

Cameroon’s culture and people has been greatly affected by the legacy of European colonialism. The French, British, Dutch, and Germans have all controlled parts of Cameroon at one time or another. Although French and English are the official languages, most Cameroonians speak at least one of twenty-four Indigenous African language groups as well. Religion has also been affected by colonialism. Although there are large Roman Catholic (33.1 percent), Protestant (27.1 percent), and Muslim (30.6 percent) populations, many Cameroonians practice some elements of traditional African religions.

Most Cameroonians are farmers who live outside of the major cities, in clay huts or rectangular brick houses. Urban Cameroonians typically work in the service or manufacturing industries. Urban dwellings may either be modern structures or, in poorer areas, small shacks. In addition, there are many native people still living in tribal chiefdoms or kingdoms in remote areas of the country.

Indigenous People: People have lived in West Africa for more than 50,000 years. Cameroon’s southeast rainforest is home to the Baka tribes that are descended from the earliest inhabitants of the area. The Bantu people have been in Cameroon since 1000 BCE. Their long-term cultural influence is significant, as the Douala and the Fang people speak Bantu languages today.

In the ninth century, many Arab traders passed through Cameroon as they crossed the Sahara. These Arabs helped the spread of Islam, which remains a primary religion in modern Cameroon. These traders also took many Indigenous people captive, as part of the slave trade.

Education: Cameroon has one of the highest rates of school attendance in Africa. Primary education is required of all children between the ages of six and twelve, and is free up until that point. However, few of Cameroon’s students continue their education beyond the primary level. Most families either consider secondary education to be unimportant, or they cannot afford to pay the tuition. Boys are more likely to go on to secondary school than girls, who are still expected to prioritize being mothers and wives over education or career.

Although only approximately 17 percent of Cameroonians attend college (2015 estimate by UNESCO), there are several universities throughout the country. These include the University of Yaoundé, the University of Douala, and the University of Ngaoundéré. In 2018 the overall literacy rate among Cameroonian adults was an estimated 77.1 percent, significantly higher among men (estimated 82.6 percent) than women (estimated 71.6 percent).

Health Care: Cameroon’s health care system relies heavily on foreign aid. The United States has provided approximately $5 million USD annually to bolster Cameroon’s education and health care programs. The health care system, like the school system, is regulated and organized by Christian churches.

Cameroon does not have a system to provide individual health care plans, and most citizens do not receive adequate medical attention. Life-threatening diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS are usually left untreated among most of the population. Life expectancy is relatively low, at 66.1 years for women and 62.3 years for men (2024 estimate).

Food: Meals in Cameroon are eaten in a traditional fashion that involves using the right hand to scoop food out of a common bowl. Diners are served in a specific order according to gender and age. Cameroonian men are seated to eat a meal before women and children.

Rice, fish, beef, chicken, and vegetables are common ingredients in lunch or dinner dishes, and breakfast usually consists of eggs, potatoes and bread. A popular dish called fufu is made from ground corn, cassava, and plantains. Fufu is rolled into a small ball with the right hand, dipped into a soup or vegetable stew called jammu-jammu, and swallowed whole.

Tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and papayas are commonly eaten after a meal. The most popular beverages are soft drinks, beer, palm wine, milk, juice, tea and coffee, usually served as café au lait.

Arts & Entertainment: Most of Cameroon’s Indigenous arts come from the Bamilékés and the Bamouns. These include woodcarvings and masks. In terms of modern art, Mongo Beti is Cameroon’s most famous author, and Manu Dibango is the country’s most celebrated pop musician.

Many African musical instruments are used in traditional and modern Cameroonian music. These include the thumb piano, a stringed instrument called the mvet, a xylophone called the balafon, wooden flutes, and a variety of drums.

Nightclubs in urban centers such as Yaoundé and Douala feature bikutsi music, a traditional Beti musical form that has blended with modern dance-beat music. The Douala music known as makossa has developed into a form of modern African jazz. Dancing is an important and popular tradition in Cameroon, and public celebrations and holidays often involve traditional forms of group dancing.

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport and the most popular form of entertainment in Cameroon, by a wide margin. Cameroon’s national professional team, les Lions Indomptables (Indomitable Lions), has won several titles in the African Cup of Nations, and is highly revered by African football fans. Many Cameroonian men regularly wear the Lions’ team jersey as street clothing. Other popular sports include boxing and volleyball.

Holidays: There are two national holidays observed in Cameroon. Youth Day, which is a celebration of Cameroon’s children, occurs on February 11. On this day, young Cameroonians march in a parade through the streets while wearing their school uniforms. National Day is observed on May 20, and is a celebration of the day in 1972 when Cameroon became an independent republic. Many Cameroonians also celebrate Christian or Muslim holidays as well.

Environment and Geography

Topography: There are four topographical regions in Cameroon. In the south and southeast, the land is mostly tropical rainforest. The central area, known as the Adamawa Massif, is a high plateau separating the southern forests from the savanna grasslands in the north. Finally, the western shore is mostly mountainous, and is the site of Mount Cameroon, the nation’s highest point at 4,045 meters (13,271 feet). Mount Cameroon, like many of the mountains in the western region, is an active volcano.

There are several major rivers running through Cameroon, many of which contain natural waterfalls and hydroelectric dams. Some of the rivers, such as the Nyong and the Sanaga, flow west into the Bight of Biafra, the area of the Atlantic Ocean off Cameroon’s shore. The Mbéré and the Logone flow north into Lake Chad, which lies above Cameroon’s northern tip. Other major rivers include the Bénué and the Wouri. Lake Lagdo and Lake Mbakaou are the country’s largest inland lakes. In 1986, Lake Nyos released a large amount of toxic carbon dioxide, killing 1,700 people.

Natural Resources: Oil and trees are the most valuable natural resources in Cameroon. Offshore drilling for oil has been a vital part of the economy for decades, but the country’s petroleum deposits are nearly depleted. Pipelines from Chad have been built to help insure the future economic viability of Cameroon’s oil industry.

Cameroon’s trees have also been over-exploited. The southern rainforests in Cameroon contain over 300 species of trees with commercial value. Although these trees are essential to Cameroon’s economy, the effects of logging have been devastating to the rainforest ecosystem, driving many of Cameroon’s native animal species to endangered status. Efforts are being made to control the exploitation of the rainforests, which also provide rubber and palm oils for export.

Other natural resources include natural gas, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, and hydroelectric power.

Plants & Animals: Elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffalo, lions, hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses are all species native to Cameroon’s forest plateau and savanna regions. Cameroon is also home to many endangered species. Conservation groups such as the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) have worked to preserve Cameroonian habitats.

Cameroon’s rainforest also contains gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills, monkeys and many species of birds and reptiles. Rainforest birds include toucans, parrots and hornbills. Common reptiles are crocodiles, small lizards, and a variety of poisonous snakes. There are thousands of tropical flowers and vines in the rainforest, in addition to ebony, iroko, obeche, mahogany and rubber trees.

The coastal area is home to birds such as kingfishers, storks, flamingos, and ibis, and a large variety of fish and amphibians. Coastal trees are mostly mangroves, which include species such as the rhizophora and avicennnia.

Climate: Cameroon’s climate varies in different parts of the country. However, the entire country experiences generally warm or hot weather throughout the year. The northern savanna is the hottest and driest area, with an average temperature of 28° Celsius (82° Fahrenheit). Daytime temperatures in this area often reach 49° Celsius (120° Fahrenheit).

Temperatures are lower on the Adamawa Massif, averaging 24° Celsius (75° Fahrenheit). The coastal region experiences slightly higher temperatures of 27° Celsius (80° Fahrenheit), but receives the most rainfall of any region. Parts of the coastal region receive an average of 500 centimeters (200 inches) of rain annually. The average rainfall in other areas is about 254 centimeters (100 inches).

Economy

In the 1980s, Cameroon’s natural resources and valuable cash crops made it the wealthiest nation in Africa. This led to technological advancements and the growth of the service sector. As income from agricultural and natural resources decreased, Cameroon found itself in debt to foreign nations from which it had received loans. Efforts to rebuild the economy continue. In 2023, the estimated per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was $4,800 USD. Cameroon ranked 151st out of 193 countries on the 2022 United Nations Human Development Index.

Industry: Cameroon’s small industrial sector is mostly made up of manufacturing and processing activities. Manufactured goods include petroleum products, aluminum products, processed food, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, and ships.

The service sector of Cameroon’s industry includes transportation, trade, banking and tourism. The service industry has been greatly affected by Cameroon’s economic downturn, as the government cannot afford to repair damaged roads and railroads.

Cameroon’s major trading partners are China, Nigeria, France, Belgium, and other nations in the European Union. Primary exports are crude oil, petroleum products, lumber, cocoa, coffee, aluminum, and cotton. Imports include machinery and equipment, fuel, and food.

Agriculture: Agriculture is Cameroon’s largest economic sector in terms of employment. An estimated 70 percent of Cameroon’s workforce was employed in farming, fishing, and forestry in 2001. Some of Cameroon’s most valuable cash crops are cocoa, coffee, cotton, and rubber. Other important crops include bananas, oilseed, cassava, and grains. Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chicken are the most commonly raised livestock.

Tourism: Cameroon’s tourism industry is growing. There are a number of popular tourist attractions, both urban and rural. Beach resort towns such as Limbe and Kribi are often full of visitors, and major cities such as Yaoundé provide a wealth of restaurants, museums, and other modern tourist attractions.

One of the most popular tourist sites is Waza National Park, which features many native African animals, such as lions, giraffes, elephants, and zebras. At the Limbe Wildlife Centre, visitors can view many endangered species.

The Northwest Province is the center of Cameroon’s rural tourist trade. It is comprised of many tribal villages, chiefdoms, and kingdoms. Ring Road, a 367-kilometer (228-mile) path that winds around Mount Oku, is a major tourist attraction in this area.

Government

The Republic of Cameroon was formed in 1961, from the merger of British Cameroon and French Cameroon. The League of Nations had given control of Cameroon to Britain and France after World War I. Prior to that time, the region had been under German colonial control.

Today, Cameroon is a democratic republic with a president, prime minister and a bicameral legislature. The president, elected to serve a seven-year term without term limits, holds the most power in the central government as chief of state. Presidential responsibilities include appointing the prime minister. The Parliament has two houses, the Senat (Senate), which has 100 members, and the Assemblee Nationale (National Assembly), which has 180 members.

The age of suffrage in Cameroon is twenty. Several political parties exist, but the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement is the party with the most representation in the government. The Social Democratic Front is another significant party. The nation is divided into ten political regions, each headed by a governor.

Relations with neighboring countries are generally good, although some borders are closed periodically. Most of Cameroon’s political struggles occur internally. Despite the democratic structure of its government, the nation has been accused of operating as a violent dictatorship. The government is infamous for constant violations of its own constitution. Civil rights are frequently disregarded, and public access to information sources is limited.

Interesting Facts

• Cameroon’s name comes from Portuguese explorers who traveled up the Wouri River in 1472, and called it "Rio dos Camarões" (River of Prawns).
• The city of Ngaoundéré is named for its nearby mountain, which resembles a large belly-button. The word Ngaoundéré means "navel."
• In Cameroon, it is forbidden to photograph anything related to the government or the military, and many residents are offended by having their picture taken.
• One of the best-selling African single of all time is "Sweet Mother" by Prince Nico Mbarga, who was half Cameroonian and half Nigerian.

Bibliography

"Cameroon Country Profile." BBC News, 9 Mar. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13146029. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

"Cameroon." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/cameroon. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

"Cameroon." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 15 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cameroon/. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Cook, Diane. Cameroon. Mason Crest, 2013.

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, United Nations Development Programme, 13 Mar. 2024, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

"Population Density (People per Sq Km of Land Area): Cameroon." The World Bank, 2018, data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST?locations=CM. Accessed 15 Oct. 2020.