Cameroon
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Capital
- Yaoundé
- Population
- 29.1 million (2024)
- Area
- 475,442 km²
- Languages
- English, French
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +237
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Before you go
Overview
Cameroon lies at the west and central Africa junction. It’s amongst the most urbanised in western Africa with a diverse population. The capital city is Yaounde at the seaport.
By 2018, the total population was 25 million.
The country was named after river Wouri delta which was called Rio dos Camaroes by the Portuguese in the 15th and 16th centuries. The mountains neighbouring the river were also named Camaroes. Later due to English influence, the mountains were called Cameroons and delta Cameroon River.
Cameroon was a German protectorate from 18884 to 1916. Cameroon’s territory expanded in 1911 after France surrendered their territory to Germany. Then in 1916, the British and French exiled Germans from Cameroon. To date, the colonies of the two colonial masters in the same country are still at loggerheads.
The country gained its independence in 1960, with Ahmadou Ahidjo as the first president. In 1982, Paul Biya succeeded Ahidjo who then escaped the country in 1983 for being accused of organising a coup by Mr. Biya.
In 1998, monitoring by Transparency International reported Cameroon as the most corrupt country in the world.
Cameroon is often called “Africa in miniature” for its geographical and cultural diversity. It has natural features like beaches, mountains, deserts, savannah, and rain forests. Mount Cameroon is the highest in West Africa. It’s in the southwest and is the country’s highest point. Douala city on Wouri River has the largest population.
The country is popular for its native music styles, Makossa in particular, The main sport is football and it has played at the World cup for several occasions.
Cameroon’s education system consists of six years of primary school, five years of middle school, two years of secondary school then tertiary levels.
The major religion is Christianity. However, there are a few who practice Islam and indigenous beliefs. The national dish is ‘Ndole’, which has stewed nuts, native bitter leaves, and fish or beef.
Because the country had two colonial masters, it has two official languages; French and English.
The country has a triangle shape. It is bordered to the northwest by Nigeria, to the northeast by Chad, to the east by the Central African Republic, to the southeast by the Republic of Congo, to the south by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and to the southwest by the Atlantic Ocean.
History
German colonisation began in 1884, and after the First World War the territory was split between France and Britain. French Cameroun became independent in 1960 and joined with part of British Cameroons in 1961.
Food & culture
Ndolé, a stew of bitter leaves, peanuts and fish or meat, is the national dish, often served with plantains. With more than 200 ethnic groups, it is often called Africa in miniature.
Wildlife
Lowland gorillas, chimpanzees and forest elephants live in the southern rainforests, while Waza National Park in the north has savannah wildlife.
Festivals & events
National Day on 20 May and the Ngondo water festival of the Sawa people in Douala are major celebrations.
Things to see
Mount Cameroon, the beaches of Kribi and the Lobé Falls, the Dja Faunal Reserve and the chiefdoms of the western highlands.
Interesting facts
Both English and French are official languages. Mount Cameroon is the highest peak in West and Central Africa.
