The Republic of Cameroon was first inhabited by the mysterious Pygmies and then the Bantu and Sudanic peoples. Cameroon eventually became an infamous source of slaves for Muslim and European Traders. It’s referred to as “Africa in miniature” because it exhibits all major climates and vegetation of the continent.
Visas & Exit Tax
Visas are required, and most airlines include exit tax in the ticket (confirmed at check-in at airport)
Communication
There are wireless internet services available. No land lines are available, but cell phones are used. Skype works well when the internet connection is good.
Electricity & Time Zone
Both 110 and 220v are available – bring own converters. +6 hours EST – USA
Immunizations
Check with your local travel health professional or the CDC regarding required and recommended vaccinations.
More About Cameroon
Cameroon is the 53rd largest country in the world – a bit larger than California. It is located in Central and West Africa on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cameroon Map From U.S. State Dept.
Portuguese sailors reached the coast of Cameroon in 1472. Noting the abundance of prawns and crayfish in the Wouri River, they named it Rios dos Camaroes, Portuguese for “River of Prawns”, and from this phrase Cameroon was derived. The Germans claimed the territory as the colony of Kamerun in 1884, but after World War I, it became a League of Nations mandate territory and was split into French Cameroun and British Cameroons in 1919.
The French integrated the economy of Cameroun with that of France, whilst the British administered their territory from neighbouring Nigeria. The League of Nations mandates were converted into United Nations Trusteeships in 1946, and independence became a pressing issue in French Cameroun, whilst in British Cameroons, the question was whether to reunify with French Cameroun or join Nigeria.
In 1960 French Cameroun gained independence from France under President Ahidjo, and in 1961 British Cameroons united with its neighbour to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972 the federal system of government was abolished in favour of a United Republic of Cameroon. In 1982, Ahidjo stepped down and was succeeded by Paul Biya, the current president.
The President of Cameroon has broad, unilateral powers of governance, and appoints all government officials at all levels. He/she is elected by popular vote every seven years. Corruption is rife at all levels of government is placed at number 138 on a list of 163 most corrupt countries from least to most corrupt. Its legal system is based on French civil law with common law influences. Cameroon is a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie, with its foreign policy closely following that of its main ally, France. Civil war presents a credible threat to national security, as tensions between Christians and Muslims and Anglophones and Francophones remain high.
Economy
Cameroon’s per-capita GDP in 2005 was estimated at US $2421, one of the ten highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Fishing is a major industry, as well as agriculture and arboriculture. At least 70% of the population farms and agriculture comprises 45.2% of GDP. Soils and climate on the coast encourage commercial cultivation of bananas, cocoa, oil palms, rubber and tea. Inland, cash crops include coffee, sugar and tobacco, as well as cotton, groundnuts and rice. Transport is difficult, with roads poorly maintained and only 10% tarred.
Weather
There are 2 seasons – rainy from April to October and dry from the end of October to April.
People
Population: 19,522,000, with 41% under the age of 15 and 97% under the age of 65.
Life expectancy: 54 years. HIV/AIDS rate 5.1%.
Ethnic groups: Estimates identify 230 to 282 different ethnic and linguistic groups – Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, non-Africa less than 1%.
Religion: Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
Language: 24 major African language groups, English and French (official)
Currency: Central African CFA franc
