Cameroon
Capital: Yaoundé · Middle Africa
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa.
Photo: Adesolive, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
a view of Down beach Limbe at sunset in the South west region, Cameroon
Photo: Awah Nadege, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
This is a photo of a monument in Cameroon identified by the ID
Photo: Z. NGNOGUE, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Photo: unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
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Early inhabitants of the territory included the Sao civilisation around Lake Chad and the Baka hunter-gatherers in the southeastern rainforest. Portuguese explorers reached the coast in the 15th century. Fulani soldiers founded the Adamawa Emirate in the north in the 19th century, and various ethnic groups of the west and northwest established powerful chiefdoms and fondoms.
Cameroon became a German colony in 1884 known as Kamerun. After World War I, it was divided between France and the United Kingdom as League of Nations mandates until independence in 1960 and 1961 respectively.
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The Bank of Central African States with surrounding area, Yaounde, Cameroon.
Photo: Albert Bergonzo, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Mer horizon, Limbé, Sud-Ouest
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Bateau accosté au port de Douala
Photo: Johnkekam, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Etymology
Originally, Cameroon was the exonym given by the Portuguese to the Wouri River, which they called Rio dos Camarões meaning 'river of shrimps' or 'shrimp river', referring to the then abundant Cameroon ghost shrimp. The country's name in Portuguese remains Camarões.
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This is an image of Cultural Fashion or Adornment from
Photo: Mbiele Happi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
ARESA 1200 STEALTH RFB de la Marine nationale, véhicules transportant le matériel militaire pendant le défilé de la fête national du Cameroun le 20 mai 2019.
Photo: Happiraphael, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
La rivière Sanaga
Photo: Claudegwos, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
History
Evidence from archaeological excavations at Shum Laka in the Northwest Region shows human occupation in Cameroon dating back 30,000 years. The longest continuous inhabitants are groups such as the Baka (Pygmies). From there, Bantu migrations into eastern, southern and central Africa are believed to have occurred about 2,000 years ago. The Sao culture arose around Lake Chad, c. 500 CE, and gave way to the Kanem and its successor state, the Bornu Empire. Kingdoms, fondoms, and chiefdoms arose in the west.
Portuguese sailors reached the coast in 1472.
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Taureaux et vaches hollandais à wallya Cameroun
Photo: ESSOMBA ETOA Marcien, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Cette image représente la vue du Wouri au niveau du restaurant la Mangrove. Il est situé à Douala, dans la région du Littoral
Photo: Junior Verges, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
La plage de Kribi
Photo: Tchombem, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Politics and government
The President of Cameroon is elected and creates policy, administers government agencies, commands the armed forces, negotiates and ratifies treaties, and declares a state of emergency. The president appoints government officials at all levels, from the prime minister (considered the official head of government), to the provincial governors and divisional officers. The president is selected by popular vote every seven years.
The National Assembly makes legislation. The body consists of 180 members who are elected for five-year terms and meet three times per year.
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Parc de Waza dans le nord Cameroun
Photo: Photokadaffi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Tourists climbing Mount Cameroon in Cameroon's Southwest Province.
Photo: Amcaja, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
picture of the Mungo River in Douala, Littoral region, Cameroon
Photo: Awah Nadege, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Geography
At 475,442 square kilometres (183,569 sq mi), Cameroon is the world's 53rd-largest country. The country is located in Central Africa and West Africa, on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Cameroon lies between latitudes 1° and 13°N, and longitudes 8° and 17°E. Cameroon controls 12 nautical miles of the Atlantic Ocean.
Tourist literature describes Cameroon as "Africa in miniature" because it exhibits all major climates and vegetation of the continent: coast, desert, mountains, rainforest, and savanna.
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Cette image présente la mangrove situé au Nouveau pont du Wouri dans la ville Douala , région du Littoral.
Photo: Junior Verges, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Economy and infrastructure
Cameroon's per capita GDP (Purchasing power parity) was estimated at US$5.760 in 2025. Major export markets include the Netherlands, France, China, Belgium, Italy, Algeria, and Malaysia.
Cameroon has its GDP growing at an average of 4% per year. During the 2004–2008 period, public debt was reduced from over 60% of GDP to 10% and official reserves quadrupled to over US$3 billion. Cameroon is part of the Bank of Central African States (of which it is the dominant economy), the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (UDEAC) and the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA). Its currency is the CFA franc.
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Demographics
The population of Cameroon was 27,198,628 in 2021, up from 4,466,000 in 1950. The life expectancy was 62.3 years (60.6 years for males and 64 years for females).
Cameroon has slightly more women (50.5%) than men (49.5%). Over 60% of the population is under age 25. People over 65 years of age account for only 3.11% of the total population.
Cameroon's population is almost evenly divided between urban and rural dwellers. Population density is highest in the large urban centres, the western highlands, and the northeastern plain. Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua are the largest cities.
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Culture
Music and dance are integral parts of Cameroonian ceremonies, festivals, social gatherings, and storytelling. Traditional dances are highly choreographed with men and women often participating separately. The dances' purposes range from pure entertainment to religious devotion. Traditionally, music is transmitted orally. In a typical performance, a chorus of singers echoes a soloist.
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