Cameroon overview
Cameroon
at a glance
- Population: 18 million
- Capital: Yaoundé
- Area: 475,000 km2 (184,000 sq miles)
- President: Paul Biya
- Major languages: French, English, Ewondo, Fulfulde and Pidgin
- Major religions: Christianity, Islam and Indigenous beliefs
- Monetary unit: Central African CFA Franc
- Main exports: Crude oil, timber, aluminium, coffee, cocoa
- Int. dialling code: +237
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The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Its coast lies on part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into 10 semi-autonomous regions.
“Cameroon” derives from Rio dos Camarões ("River of Prawns"), name given to the area by Portuguese explorers who reached the coast in the 1500s. The country is known for its geological and cultural diversity. Natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannahs.
Cameroon enjoys political and social stability. This has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and large petroleum and timber industries.
The geographical conditions on the coast encourage extensive commercial cultivation of bananas, cocoa, palm oil, rubber and tea.