Cameroon |
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Cameroon is located in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.
Land Boundaries:
Cameroon shares a border with the following countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, and Nigeria 1,690 km.
Geography:
Cameroon is a medium sized African country covering a total of 475,440 sq km (slightly smaller than the state of California in the US). Cameroon's terrain is diverse. It has a coastal plain in the southwest, a dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, and plains in north. Its lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean, at sea level; its highest point of elevation is a peak called Fako which stands at 4,095m (on Mt. Cameroon). Cameroon's climate varies as much as its terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in the north. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in West Africa and is still an active volcano.
Population:
Almost 19 million people live in Cameroon. Life expectancy is around 54 years. Birth rate is on average 4.3 per woman. Literacy rate is just under 68%.
Languages:
English (official), French (official) and 24 major African languages are spoken in Cameroon.
Ethnic Groups:
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, and non-African less than 1%.
Religion:
Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, and Muslim 20%.
Political History:
The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul Biya.
Economic Overview:
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. International oil and cocoa prices have a significant impact on the economy. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs.
Source: CIA World Factbook
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