The Republic of The Republic of CameroonCameroon

Land Area: 183, 569 square miles

The Lobe River

Farmland of west Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is slightly larger than the state of California and is located on Africa’s west coast. It is surrounded by Nigeria, Chad, The Central African Republic, The Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.

The country boasts all the beauty of Africa, from the rain forest and desert to the savannah and mountains.

The rainforest region of the country is located on the plateau that extends inland from coastal plain.

From there, another plateau rises, this one is covered in the rough grasses and brush of the savannah.

Cameroon’s mountain range stretches from Mt. Cameroon on the coast in the southwest almost to Lake Chad on its northern tip.

Cameroon’s largest city is Douala, has a population of over 1.4 million people. It is Cameroon’s largest port, and is also the country’s largest exporter.

Cameroon’s second largest city is Yaoundé, the

country’s capital. Tobacco, dairy products, and lumber

are some of the city’s exports. It is home to all

government agencies and a population of over 1.3

million people.

The third largest city is Garoua, a large river port

on the Benue river, is home to nearly half a million

people.

Government

Cameroon’s government is run by French Law, which contains codes for all areas of government- civil, criminal, and constitutional. The country’s government is run by the president who appoints all public officials including the prime minister and judges on all levels of government.

The National Assembly makes legislation for the country. The 180 members are elected for 5 year terms and meet 3 times each year.

The government recognizes traditional chiefs at the local level as long as their rulings do not interfere with national law.

The economy of Cameroon is complicated and is held The economy of Cameroon is complicated and is held back by high taxes, red tape and corruption. Fishing, back by high taxes, red tape and corruption. Fishing, agriculture, and oil drilling and refining are major agriculture, and oil drilling and refining are major industries in the country. Some of Cameroon’s exports industries in the country. Some of Cameroon’s exports include cocoa, rubber, oil, and coffee. Compared to several include cocoa, rubber, oil, and coffee. Compared to several years ago, Cameroon’s economy and country’s financial years ago, Cameroon’s economy and country’s financial status is growing each year. Despite the booming industry status is growing each year. Despite the booming industry in Cameroon, about one third of the population lives below in Cameroon, about one third of the population lives below the poverty level. the poverty level.

The EconomyThe Economy

Population: 16,380,000

There are over 16 million people in the country of Cameroon. Because of the harsh living conditions, life expectancy is 48 years for women, and 47 years for men.

As of 2003 about 7% of adults have the HIV/AIDS virus, that’s approximately 550,000 people. Other major diseases include dengue fever, malaria, meningitis, and sleeping sickness.

Health care in Cameroon is provided by the government and missionary agencies. Outside of the larger cities medical clinics are small and poorly equipped. Tribal healers and medicine men are the popular alternative to medical assistance.

The official languages of the country are French and English. Cameroon is home to some 200 African tribal languages. With 130 different ethnic groups, Cameroon’s culture is very diverse.

Music, dance, and food are also major parts of culture in Cameroon. Soccer is the major sport of the country. And in recent years their national team has been quite successful.

The national dish of Cameroon is ndolé, a stew of bitter leaves, nuts and fish or goat. Other staple foods include yams, rice, potatos, corn, and beans. Bush meat is very popular across the country- porcupine, and giant rat are among the favorites.

Education

Most children in Cameroon have access to free, state run schools or private religious facilities. Most of the instruction is given in French or English. The country has one of the highest attendance rates in all of Africa. In general, boys attend school more regularly than girls do due to cultural attitudes, early marriage, and sexual harassment. There are also six state run universities in Cameroon.

• Cameroon’s history is dotted with possessions by several different countries over the years- The Portuguese, German, and finally the French and English.

• In 1960 French Cameroun gained its independence through their president Ahmadou Ahidjo.

• There was an economic crisis in the mid 1980s due to economic conditions, planned liberalism, and petroleum exploitation.

• The last 30 years have seen the country more stabilized than it has been in a hundred years or more.

History: Major Points

Mt. Cameroon- An active volcano