NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. It borders Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is called "Africa in miniature" for its geological and cultural diversity. Natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. The highest point is Mount Cameroon in the southwest, and the largest cities are Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua. Cameroon is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups. The country is well known for its native styles of music, particularly makossa and bikutsi, and for its successful national football team. English and French are the official languages. Image File history File links Flag_of_Cameroon. ... Image File history File links Cameroon_coa. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 Previous flag of Cameroon (1961-1975) The national flag of Cameroon was adopted in its present form on May 20, 1975 after Cameroon became a unitary state. ... The National Emblem of Cameroon consists of a shield with a banner above and below it. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers, known in French as Ã” Cameroun, Berceau de nos AncÃªtres and Chant de Ralliement, is the national anthem of Cameroon. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... View of YaoundÃ© YaoundÃ©, Â«yah oon DAYÂ», estimated population 1,430,000 (2004), is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the country after Douala. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... List of Heads of State of Cameroon (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- See also:- Cameroon Politics of Cameroon Heads of Government of Cameroon Colonial Heads of Cameroon British Cameroon Heads of Government of British Cameroon Colonial Heads of French Cameroon Heads of Government of French... President Paul Biya of Cameroon with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, New York, 16 September 2002 Paul Biya (born 13 February 1933) has been the President of Cameroon since 1982. ... Under the current constitution of Cameroon, the Prime Minister of Cameroon is a relatively powerless executive. ... EphraÃ¯m Inoni - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here surface areas between 100,000 kmÂ² and 1,000,000 kmÂ². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/kmÂ². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... ISO 4217 Code XAF User(s) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Pegged with euro = CFA655. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Time zones of Africa: Striped colours indicate countries observing daylight saving West Africa Time, or WAT, is a time zone used in western and west-central Africa (though not in countries west of Benin, which instead use GMT). ... UTC redirects here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .cm is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Cameroon. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... A map showing the unitary states. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Map of the Gulf of Guinea showing the Bight of Bonny. ... Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing the chain of islands formed by the Cameroon line of volcanoes. ... Tourists climbing Mount Cameroon, Southwest Province Tourism in Cameroon is a growing but relatively minor industry. ... Mount Cameroon, also known as Cameroon Mountain or Fako (the name of the higher of its two peaks) or by its native name Mongo ma Ndemi (Mountain of Greatness), is an active volcano in Cameroon, near the Gulf of Guinea. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... View of YaoundÃ© YaoundÃ©, Â«yah oon DAYÂ», estimated population 1,430,000 (2004), is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the country after Douala. ... Garoua is the capital of the North Province of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. ... Makossa is a type of music which is most popular in urban areas in Cameroon. ... Bikutsi is a musical genre from Cameroon. ... First international Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia (Madagascar; 13 April 1960) Biggest win Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia (Madagascar; 13 April 1960) Biggest defeat Norway 6 - 1 Cameroon (Oslo, Norway; 31 October 1990) Russia 6 - 1 Cameroon (Palo Alto, California, USA; 28 June 1994) Costa Rica 5 - 0 Cameroon (San Jose, Costa...

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 and named the area Rio dos Camarões ("River of Prawns"), the name from which Cameroon derives. 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. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and Britain as League of Nations mandates. The Union des Populations du Cameroun political party advocated independence but was outlawed in the 1950s. It waged war on French and Cameroonian forces until 1971. In 1960, French Cameroun became independent as the Republic of Cameroun under President Ahmadou Ahidjo. The southern part of British Cameroons merged with it in 1961 to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The country was renamed the United Republic of Cameroon in 1972 and the Republic of Cameroon in 1984. The Sao or So were an African civilisation that flourished from ca. ... Lake Chad (in French: Lac Tchad) is a large, shallow lake in Africa. ... The Baka, also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, Bibaya, or Babinga, are an ethnic group inhabiting the southeastern rain forests of Cameroon, northern Congo (Brazzaville), northern Gabon, and southwestern Central African Republic. ... The Fulbhe (singular Pullo) or Fulani is an ethnic group of people spread over many countries in West Africa,Central Africa and as far as East Africa. ... Adamawa or the Adamawa Emirate was a traditional emirate located in Fumbina, what is now the Admawa State, Nigeria and the three northern provinces of Cameroon (Far North, North, and Adamawa). ... The Fon is a chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon. ... It has been suggested that Benign colonialism be merged into this article or section. ... Mandates in the Middle east and Africa. ... The Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (French: Union des Populations du Cameroun) is a political party in Cameroon. ... Cameroon over time German Kamerun British Cameroons French Cameroun Republic of Cameroon This article is about the historical French colony. ... Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 - 30 November 1989) was the president of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982. ... Cameroons was a British Mandate territory in West Africa, now divided between Nigeria and Cameroon. ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen BundeslÃ¤nder (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... A map showing the unitary states. ...

Compared with other African countries, Cameroon enjoys political and social stability. This has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and large petroleum and timber industries. Nevertheless, large numbers of Cameroonians live in poverty as subsistence farmers. Power lies firmly in the hands of the president, Paul Biya, and his Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, and corruption is widespread. The Anglophone community has grown increasingly alienated from the government, and Anglophone politicians have called for greater decentralisation and even the secession of the former British-governed territories. President Paul Biya of Cameroon with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, New York, 16 September 2002 Paul Biya (born 13 February 1933) has been the President of Cameroon since 1982. ... The Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (French: Rassemblement démocratique du Peuple Camerounais, RDPC) is the ruling party of Cameroon. ... Anglophone Cameroonians are the people of various cultural backgrounds who hail from the English-speaking provinces of Cameroon (Northwest and Southwest provinces). ...

History

The territory of present day Cameroon was first settled during the Neolithic. The longest continuous inhabitants are the Pygmy groups such as the Baka.^[1] The Sao culture arose around Lake Chad c. AD 500 and gave way to the Kanem and its successor state, the Bornu empire. Kingdoms, fondoms, and chiefdoms arose in the west. German-built building at Ambam, today used as a school // The earliest inhabitants of Cameroon were probably the Baka (Pygmies). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x668, 391 KB) Joseph Merrick at an Isubu funeral in Cameroon, 1845. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x668, 391 KB) Joseph Merrick at an Isubu funeral in Cameroon, 1845. ... Joseph Merrick at an Isubu funeral in Bimbia, 1845 Joseph Merrick (August 1808â€“22 October 1849) was a Jamaican[1] Baptist missionary who established the first successful mission on the Cameroon coast of Africa. ... The Isubu (Isuwu, Bimbians) are an ethnic groups who inhabit part of the coast of Cameroon. ... An array of Neolithic artifacts, including bracelets, axe heads, chisels, and polishing tools. ... Baka dancers in the East Province of Cameroon Batwa dancers in Uganda This article is about the Pygmy people. ... The Baka, also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, Bibaya, or Babinga, are an ethnic group inhabiting the southeastern rain forests of Cameroon, northern Congo (Brazzaville), northern Gabon, and southwestern Central African Republic. ... The Sao or So were an African civilisation that flourished from ca. ... Lake Chad (in French: Lac Tchad) is a large, shallow lake in Africa. ... The Kanem Empire existed in modern Chad and Libya. ... The Bornu Empire (1396-1893) was a pre-colonial African state of Niger from 1389 to 1893. ... The Fon is a chieftain or king of a region of Cameroon. ...

Portuguese sailors reached the coast in 1472. They noted an abundance of prawns and crayfish in the Wouri River and named it Rio dos Camarões, Portuguese for "River of Prawns", and the phrase from which Cameroon is derived. Over the following few centuries, European interests regularised trade with the coastal peoples, and Christian missionaries pushed inland. In the early 19th century, Modibo Adama led Fulani soldiers on a jihad in the north against non-Muslim and partially Muslim peoples and established the Adamawa Emirate. Settled peoples who fled the Fulani caused a major redistribution of population.^[2] The estuary of the Wouri River The Wouri (also Vouri or Vuri) is a river in Cameroon. ... For other uses, see Missionary (disambiguation). ... Adama bi Ardo Hassana (c. ... The Fulbhe (singular Pullo) or Fulani is an ethnic group of people spread over many countries in West Africa,Central Africa and as far as East Africa. ... For other uses, see Jihad (disambiguation). ... Adamawa or the Adamawa Emirate was a traditional emirate located in Fumbina, what is now the Admawa State, Nigeria and the three northern provinces of Cameroon (Far North, North, and Adamawa). ...

The German Empire claimed the territory as the colony of Kamerun in 1884 and began a steady push inland. They initiated projects to improve the colony's infrastructure, relying on a harsh system of forced labour.^[3] With the defeat of Germany in World War I, Kamerun became a League of Nations mandate territory and was split into French Cameroun and British Cameroons in 1919. The French carefully integrated the economy of Cameroun with that of France^[4] and improved the infrastructure with capital investments, skilled workers, and continued forced labour.^[3] The British administered their territory from neighbouring Nigeria. Natives complained that this made them a neglected "colony of a colony". Nigerian migrant workers flocked to Southern Cameroons, ending forced labour but angering indigenous peoples.^[5] The League of Nations mandates were converted into United Nations Trusteeships in 1946, and the question of independence became a pressing issue in French Cameroun.^[4] France outlawed the most radical political party, the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC), on 13 July 1955. This prompted a long guerrilla war and the assassination of the party's leader, Ruben Um Nyobé.^[6] In British Cameroons, the question was whether to reunify with French Cameroun or join Nigeria. For German colonial territories, see German Colonial Empire. ... It has been suggested that Benign colonialism be merged into this article or section. ... The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central Africa. ... Unfree labour is a generic or collective term for those work relations, especially in modern or early modern history, in which people are employed against their will by the threat of destitution, detention, violence (including death), or other extreme hardship to themselves, or to members of their families. ... â€œThe Great War â€ redirects here. ... Mandates in the Middle east and Africa. ... Cameroon over time German Kamerun British Cameroons French Cameroun Republic of Cameroon This article is about the historical French colony. ... The United Nations Trusteeship Council, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, was established to help ensure that non-self-governing territories were administered in the best interests of the inhabitants and of international peace and security. ... The Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (French: Union des Populations du Cameroun) is a political party in Cameroon. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... Ruben Um NyobÃ© (1913-September 13, 1958) was an anti-imperialist Cameroonian leader, slain by the French army on September 13, 1958, near his natal village of Boumnyebel, in the department of Nyong-et-KellÃ© in the maquis Bassa. ...

On 1 January 1960, French Cameroun gained independence from France under President Ahmadou Ahidjo, and on 1 October 1961, the formerly-British Southern Cameroons united with its neighbour to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Ahidjo used the ongoing war with the UPC and fears of ethnic conflict to concentrate power in the presidency, continuing with this even after the suppression of the UPC in 1971.^[6] His political party, the Cameroon National Union (CNU), became the sole legal political party on 1 September 1966 and in 1972, the federal system of government was abolished in favour of a United Republic of Cameroon, headed from Yaoundé.^[7] Ahidjo pursued an economic policy of planned liberalism, prioritising cash crops and petroleum exploitation. The government used oil money to create a national cash reserve, pay farmers, and finance major development projects; however, many initiatives failed when Ahidjo appointed unqualified allies to direct them.^[8] Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2788x1858, 3707 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Cameroon ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2788x1858, 3707 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Cameroon ... Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 - 30 November 1989) was the president of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982. ... For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 - 30 November 1989) was the president of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cameroons was a British Mandate territory in West Africa, now divided between Nigeria and Cameroon. ... Politics of Cameroon Categories: Cameroon political parties | Politics stubs | Authoritarian political parties ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... A map displaying todays federations. ... View of YaoundÃ© YaoundÃ©, Â«yah oon DAYÂ», estimated population 1,430,000 (2004), is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the country after Douala. ... Planned liberalism is an economic policy followed in Cameroon since the 1960s that aims to merge the best concepts of capitalism and socialism. ...

Ahidjo stepped down on 4 November 1982 and left power to his constitutional successor, Paul Biya. However, Ahidjo remained in control of the CNU and tried to run the country from behind the scenes until Biya and his allies pressured him into resigning. Biya began his administration by moving toward a more democratic government, but a failed coup d'état nudged him toward the leadership style of his predecessor.^[9] An economic crisis took effect in the mid-1980s to late 1990s as a result of international economic conditions, drought, falling petroleum prices, and years of corruption, mismanagement, and cronyism. Cameroon turned to foreign aid, cut government spending, and privatised industries. With the reintroduction of multi-party politics in December 1990, Anglophone pressure groups called for greater autonomy, with some advocating complete secession as the Republic of Ambazonia.^[10] In February 2008, Cameroon experienced its worse violence in 15 years when a transport union strike in Douala escalated into violent protests in 31 municipal areas.^[11]^[12] is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... President Paul Biya of Cameroon with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, New York, 16 September 2002 Paul Biya (born 13 February 1933) has been the President of Cameroon since 1982. ... The Cameroonian Palace Guard Revolt was an attempt to seize political power by presidential palace guards in Cameroon, starting on April 6, 1984 and ending several days later. ... The Cameroonian economic crisis was an downturn in the economy of Cameroon from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. ... Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Anglophone Cameroonians are the people of various cultural backgrounds who hail from the English-speaking provinces of Cameroon (Northwest and Southwest provinces). ... Map of Southern Cameroon (Ambazonia) The Republic of Ambazonia was declared as an independent state by a group seeking independence for the former southern British Cameroon. ...

Politics and government

The President of Cameroon has broad, unilateral powers to create policy, administer government agencies, command the armed forces, negotiate and ratify treaties, and declare a state of emergency.^[13] The president appoints government officials at all levels, from the prime minister (considered the official head of government), to the provincial governors, divisional officers, and urban-council members in large cities. The president is selected by popular vote every seven years. In smaller municipalities, the public elects mayors and councilors. Corruption is rife at all levels of government. In 1997, Cameroon established anti-corruption bureaus in 29 ministries, but only 25% became operational,^[14] and in 2007, Transparency International placed Cameroon at number 138 on a list of 163 countries ranked from least to most corrupt.^[15] On 18 January 2006, Biya initiated an anti-corruption drive under the direction of the National Anti-Corruption Observatory.^[14] Government The 1972 constitution of the Republic of Cameroon as modified by 1996 reforms provides for a strong central government dominated by the executive. ... President Paul Biya of Cameroon with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, New York, 16 September 2002 Paul Biya (born 13 February 1933) has been the President of Cameroon since 1982. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... List of Heads of State of Cameroon (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- See also:- Cameroon Politics of Cameroon Heads of Government of Cameroon Colonial Heads of Cameroon British Cameroon Heads of Government of British Cameroon Colonial Heads of French Cameroon Heads of Government of French... The Cameroonian military generally has been an apolitical force dominated by civilian control. ... Under the current constitution of Cameroon, the Prime Minister of Cameroon is a relatively powerless executive. ... Transparency International (TI) is an international organisation addressing corruption, including, but not limited to, political corruption. ... is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Anti-Corruption Observatory is a government body in Cameroon that investigates political corruption,[1] organises anti-corruption initiatives,[2] and monitors the governments anti-corruption efforts. ...

Cameroon's legal system is largely based on French civil law with common law influences.^[16] Although nominally independent, the judiciary falls under the authority of the executive's Ministry of Justice.^[17] The president appoints judges at all levels. The judiciary is officially divided into tribunals, the court of appeal, and the supreme court. The National Assembly elects the members of a nine-member High Court of Justice that judges high-ranking members of government in the event they are charged with high treason or harming national security. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1536 Ã— 2048 pixel, file size: 598 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Statue dun chef coutumier Ã Bana au Cameroun Chefferie de Bana. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 450 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1536 Ã— 2048 pixel, file size: 598 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Statue dun chef coutumier Ã Bana au Cameroun Chefferie de Bana. ... Bana is a village in the West Province of Cameroon, near the town of Bafang. ... In academic terms, French law can be divided into two main categories: private law (droit privÃ©) and public law (droit public). Private law includes, in particular: civil law (droit civil); and criminal law (droit pÃ©nal). Public law includes, in particular: administrative law (droit administratif); and constitutional law (droit constitutionnel... The Ministry of Justice of Cameroon is the Department responsible for administering the Cameroon justice system. ... The Courts of Appeal are appellate courts in Cameroon. ... The Supreme Court (French Cour SuprÃªme) is the highest judicial body in Cameroon. ... The High Court of Justice is a political court in Cameroon. ...

Human rights organisations accuse police and military forces of mistreating and even torturing criminal suspects, ethnic minorities, homosexuals, and political activists.^[18] Prisons are overcrowded with little access to adequate food and medical facilities,^[19]^[20] and prisons run by traditional rulers in the north are charged with holding political opponents at the behest of the government.^[21] However, since the early 2000s, an increasing number of police and gendarmes have been prosecuted for improper conduct.^[20] LGBT rights Around the world Â· By country History Â· Groups Â· Activists Declaration of Montreal Same-sex relationships Marriage Â· Adoption Opposition Â· Persecution Violence This box: // Homosexual acts are banned in Cameroon, and are punishable with up to five years in jail according to Section 347 of the countrys penal code. ...

The National Assembly makes legislation. The body consists of 180 members who are elected for five-year terms and meet three times per year. Laws are passed on a majority vote. Rarely has the assembly changed or blocked legislation proposed by the president.^[17] The 1996 constitution establishes a second house of parliament, the 100-seat Senate, but this body has never been put into practice.^[16] The government recognises the authority of traditional chiefs, fons, and lamibe to govern at the local level and to resolve disputes as long as such rulings do not conflict with national law.^[22] The National Assembly (French: AssemblÃ©e Nationale) is the parliament of Cameroon. ... Lamido (plural Lamibe) is a corruption in local languages (Fulbe?) of the Arabic title Emir, used by the traditional leaders of certain Islamic communities in West Africa, originally as head of (often vassal) states, nowadays persisting within post-colonial republics. ...

President Paul Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) was the only legal political party until December 1990. Numerous ethnic and regional political groups have since formed. The primary opposition is the Social Democratic Front (SDF), based largely in the Anglophone region of the country and headed by John Fru Ndi.^[23] Biya and his party have maintained control of the presidency and the National Assembly in national elections, but rivals contend that these have been unfair.^[10] Human rights organisations allege that the government suppresses the freedoms of opposition groups by preventing demonstrations, disrupting meetings, and arresting opposition leaders and journalists.^[24]^[21] Freedom House ranks Cameroon as "not free" in terms of political rights and civil liberties.^[25] The last parliamentary elections were held on 22 July 2007.^[26] The Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (French: Rassemblement démocratique du Peuple Camerounais, RDPC) is the ruling party of Cameroon. ... For the Social Democratic Front party in Ghana, see Social Democratic Front (Ghana) The Social Democratic Front (French: Front Social-DÃ©mocratique) is the main opposition party of Cameroon. ... Ni John Fru Ndi (1941- ) is the founder and leader of Cameroons Social Democratic Front. ... Freedom House is a United States-based international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. ... Parliamentary elections will be held in Cameroon on 22 July 2007. ... is the 203rd day of the year (204th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Cameroon is a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie. Its foreign policy closely follows that of its main ally, France.^[27] The country relies heavily on France for its defence,^[17] although military spending is high in comparison to other sectors of government.^[28] Biya has clashed with the government of Nigeria over possession of the Bakassi peninsula and with Gabon's president, El Hadj Omar Bongo, over personal rivalries.^[29] Nevertheless, civil war presents a more credible threat to national security, as tensions between Christians and Muslims and between Anglophones and Francophones remain high.^[30] The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2007 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders - Queen Elizabeth II - Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma Appointed 24 November 2007 Establishment - Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926 - Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931 - London Declaration 28 April 1949 Area - Total... Motto Ã‰galitÃ©, ComplÃ©mentaritÃ©, SolidaritÃ© Members and participants of La Francophonie. ... Cameroons noncontentious, low-profile approach to foreign relations puts it squarely in the middle of other African and developing country states on major issues. ... The Cameroon-Nigeria border region on the coast from a 1963 map, with Bakassi peninsula in the middle Bakassi is the peninsular extension of the African territory of Calabar into the Atlantic Ocean. ... El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba (born Albert-Bernard Bongo on 30 December 1935) became President of Gabon in 1967. ...

Education and health

Most children have access to free, state-run schools or subsidised, private and religious facilities.^[31] The educational system is a mixture of British and French precedents^[32] with most instruction in English or French.^[33] Cameroon has one of the highest school attendance rates in Africa.^[31] Girls attend school less regularly than boys do because of cultural attitudes, domestic duties, early marriage and pregnancy, and sexual harassment. Although attendance rates are higher in the south,^[31] a disproportionate number of teachers are stationed there, leaving northern schools chronically understaffed.^[20] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Sign advertising a traditional doctor in Tatum. ... Cameroon is known for having one of the best educational systems in Africa. ...

Six state-run universities serve Cameroon's student population. More than 60,000 students were enrolled for the 1998–1999 school year. A council of deans, school directors, and representatives of state ministries governs the schools under the leadership of a vice-chancellor. State funding for universities is low, and student registrations nominally make up 25% of the higher education budget. However, students have fought these fees since their introduction in 1993. Universities have resisted the urge to increase the selectiveness of admissions in an effort to increase revenue from student fees, and the student populations have increased well beyond the 5,000 they were built to educate. Likewise, cuts in faculty salaries in 1993 have made it difficult to find and keep qualified staff.^[34]

Since 1990, private institutions have sprung up in five provinces. These schools charge fees that are five to ten times those levied by state schools. Nevertheless, they offer short professional-training programmes in areas such as accounting, management, journalism, and Internet technologies, so they are popular with students. Many of these schools fall short of government minimum standards of infrastructure and faculty and must operate unlicensed.^[34]

The quality of health care is generally low.^[35] Outside the major cities, facilities are often dirty and poorly equipped.^[36] Endemic diseases include dengue fever, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, meningitis, schistosomiasis, and sleeping sickness.^[37] The HIV/AIDS seroprevalence rate is estimated at 5.4% for those aged 15–49,^[38] although a strong stigma against the illness keeps the number of reported cases artificially low.^[39] Traditional healers remain a popular alternative to Western medicine.^[40] Dengue Fever redirects here. ... Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites. ... Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the central nervous system, known collectively as the meninges. ... Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a parasitic disease caused by several species of flatworm. ... Sleeping sickness or African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease in people and animals, caused by protozoa of genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the tsetse fly. ... Species Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Human immunodeficiency virus 2 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS, a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections). ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... The term describes medical knowledge systems, which developed over centuries within various societies before the era of modern medicine; traditional medicines include medicines such as herbal medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, Unani medicine, Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese medicine, Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine, South African Muti, Yoruba IfÃ¡, as well as other medical knowledge and...

Provinces and divisions

The constitution divides Cameroon into 10 semi-autonomous regions, each under the administration of an elected Regional Council. In practice, Cameroon still follows the system that was in place prior to the adoption of a new constitution in 1996. The country is divided into 10 provinces, each headed by a presidentially appointed governor. These leaders are charged with implementing the will of the president, reporting on the general mood and conditions of the provinces, administering the civil service, keeping the peace, and overseeing the heads of the smaller administrative units. Governors have broad powers: they may order propaganda in their area and call in the army, gendarmes, and police.^[41] The provinces are subdivided into 58 divisions (French départements). These are headed by presidentially appointed divisional officers (prefets), who perform the governors' duties on a smaller scale. The divisions are further sub-divided into sub-divisions (arrondissements), headed by assistant divisional officers (sous-prefets). The districts, administered by district heads (chefs de district), are the smallest administrative units. These are found in large sub-divisions and in regions that are difficult to reach. Cameroon is divided into 10 provinces: Adamawa Province (Adamaoua) - capital Ngaoundéré Centre Province - capital Yaoundé East Province (Est) - capital Bertoua Extreme North Province (Extrême-Nord) - capital Maroua Littoral Province - capital Douala North Province (Nord) - capital Garoua Northwest Province (Nord-Ouest) - capital Bamenda West Province (Ouest) - capital Bafoussam South... Departments of Cameroon The Provinces of Cameroon are divided into 58 divisions or departments (dÃ©partements). ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Regional Councils are, nominally, the governing bodies of the regions of Cameroon. ... A gendarmerie or gendarmery (pronounced ) is a military body charged with police duties among civilian populations. ... A prefect (from the Latin praefectus, perfect participle of praeficere: make in front, i. ... Cameroon is divided into a number of administrative divisions. ...

The three northernmost provinces are the Far North (Extrême Nord), North (Nord), and Adamawa (Adamaoua). Directly south of them are the Centre (Centre) and East (Est). The South Province (Sud) lies on the Gulf of Guinea and the southern border. Cameroon's western region is split into four smaller provinces: The Littoral (Littoral) and Southwest (Sud-Ouest) provinces are on the coast, and the Northwest (Nord-Ouest) and West (Ouest) provinces are in the western grassfields. The Northwest and Southwest were once part of British Cameroons; the other provinces were in French Cameroun. The Far North Province, also known as the Extreme North Province (from French Province de lExtrÃªme-Nord), is the northernmost constituent province of The Republic of Cameroon. ... The North Province (French Province du Nord) makes up 66,000 kmÂ² of the northern half of The Republic of Cameroon. ... The Adamawa Province (French Province de lAdamaoua) is a constituent province of the Republic of Cameroon. ... Geography View of Yaoundé Land The Centres soil is primarily composed of Precambrian deposits of metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss, mica, migmatites, and schists. ... The East Province (French Province de lEst) occupies the southeastern portion of the Republic of Cameroon. ... The South Province (French Province du Sud) is located in the southwestern and south-central portion of the Republic of Cameroon. ... The Littoral Province is a province of Cameroon. ... For the region of Burkina Faso, see Sud-Ouest Region. ... The Northwest Province (Nord-Ouest) is the third most populated province in Cameroon. ... The West Province (French Province de lOuest) is 14,000 sq km of territory located in the central-western portion of the Republic of Cameroon. ...

Geography and climate

At 475,442 square kilometres (183,569 sq mi), Cameroon is the world's 53rd-largest country.^[42] It is comparable in size to Papua New Guinea and somewhat larger than the U.S. state of California.^[43]^[16] The country is located in Central and West Africa on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and 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.^[44] The country's neighbours are Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Map Of Cameroon At 183,568 miÂ² (475,440 kmÂ²), Cameroon is the worlds 53rd-largest country. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x750, 622 KB) Rhumsiki Peak in Cameroons Extreme North Province. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x750, 622 KB) Rhumsiki Peak in Cameroons Extreme North Province. ... Kapsiki Peak Rhumsiki, also spelt Rumsiki and Roumsiki, is a village in the Far North Province of Cameroon. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol kmÂ², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Central Africa Middle Africa (UN subregion) Central African Federation (defunct) Central Africa is a core region of the African continent often considered to include: Burundi Central African Republic Chad Democratic Republic of the Congo Rwanda Middle Africa (as used by the United Nations when categorising geographic subregions) is an analogous... Western Africa (UN subregion) Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... Map of the Gulf of Guinea showing the Bight of Bonny. ... Map of the Gulf of Guinea, showing the chain of islands formed by the Cameroon line of volcanoes. ...

Cameroon is divided into five major geographic zones distinguished by dominant physical, climatic, and vegetative features. The coastal plain extends 15 to 150 kilometres (10 to 90 mi) inland from the Gulf of Guinea^[45] and has an average elevation of 90 metres (295 ft).^[46] Exceedingly hot and humid with a short dry season, this belt is densely forested and includes some of the wettest places on earth.^[47]^[48] The South Cameroon Plateau rises from the coastal plain to an average elevation of 650 metres (2,130 ft).^[49] Equatorial rainforest dominates this region, although its alternation between wet and dry seasons makes it is less humid than the coast. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Guinean savanna in Cameroons East Province The South Cameroon Plateau or Southern Cameroon Plateau (French: Plateau Sud-Camerounais) is the dominant geographical feature of Cameroon. ... A wet season or rainy season is a season in which the average rainfall in a region is significantly increased. ...

An irregular chain of mountains, hills, and plateaus known as the Cameroon range extends from Mount Cameroon on the coast—Cameroon's highest point at 4,095 metres (13,435 ft)^[50]—almost to Lake Chad at Cameroon's northern tip. This region has a mild climate, particularly on the Western High Plateau, although rainfall is high. Its soils are among Cameroon's most fertile, especially around volcanic Mount Cameroon.^[51] Volcanism here has created crater lakes. On 21 August 1986, one of these, Lake Nyos, belched carbon dioxide and killed between 1,700 and 2,000 people.^[52] The Cameroon line is a geologic fault that runs northeast from the Atlantic Ocean into Cameroon. ... Mount Cameroon, also known as Cameroon Mountain or Fako (the name of the higher of its two peaks) or by its native name Mongo ma Ndemi (Mountain of Greatness), is an active volcano in Cameroon, near the Gulf of Guinea. ... Menchum Falls in the Northwest Province The Western High Plateau, Western Highlands, or Bamenda Grassfields is a region of Cameroon characterised by high relief, cool temperatures, heavy rainfall, and savanna vegetation. ... A crater lake that simply goes by the name Crater Lake, in Oregon, USA Heaven Lake (Chonji / Tianchi), North Korea / China Cuicocha, Ecuador Lake formed after 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines Mount Katmai, Alaska, USA Mount Wenchi crater lake, Ethiopia Nemrut, Turkey VolcÃ¡n IrazÃº, Costa Rica This page... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Lake Nyos is a crater lake in the Northwest Province of Cameroon, located at . ...

The southern plateau rises northward to the grassy, rugged Adamawa Plateau. This feature stretches from the western mountain area and forms a barrier between the country's north and south. Its average elevation is 1,100 metres (3,600 ft),^[49] and its temperature ranges from 22 to 25 °C (72 to 77 °F) with high rainfall.^[53] The northern lowland region extends from the edge of the Adamawa to Lake Chad with an average elevation of 300 to 350 metres (980 to 1,150 ft).^[51] Its characteristic vegetation is savanna scrub and grass. This is an arid region with sparse rainfall and high median temperatures. The Adamawa Plateau (also spelled Adamaoua) is a plateau region in west-central Africa stretching from south-eastern Nigeria through north-central Cameroon (Adamawa Province) to the Central African Republic. ...

Cameroon has four patterns of drainage. In the south, the principal rivers are the Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and Wouri. These flow southwestward or westward directly into the Gulf of Guinea. The Dja and Kadéï drain southeastward into the Congo River. In northern Cameroon, the Bénoué River runs north and west and empties into the Niger. The Logone flows northward into Lake Chad, which Cameroon shares with three neighbouring countries. The Ntem is a border river in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. ... The Nyong is a river in Cameroon. ... The Sanaga River is a river of South Province, Cameroon, Centre Province, Cameroon, and West Province, Cameroon. ... The Dja is a river in Cameroon. ... The KadÃ©Ã¯ River is a tributary of the Sangha River that flows through Cameroon and the Central African Republic. ... The Congo River (for a time known as Zaire River) is the largest river in Western Central Africa. ... The Benue River or BÃ©nouÃ© River is the major tributary of the Niger River. ... The Logon River is a major tributary of the Chari River. ...

Economy and infrastructure

Cameroon's per-capita GDP (PPP) was estimated as US$2,421 in 2005,^[54] one of the ten highest in sub-Saharan Africa.^[55] Major export markets include France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom.^[16] Cameroon is part of the Bank of Central African States (of which it is the dominant economy)^[55] and the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (UDEAC). Its currency is the CFA franc. Red tape, high taxes, and endemic corruption have impeded growth of the private sector.^[56] Unemployment was estimated at 30% in 2001, and about 48% of the population was living below the poverty threshold in 2000.^[16] Since the late 1980s, Cameroon has been following programmes advocated by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce poverty, privatise industries, and increase economic growth.^[17] Tourism is a growing sector, particularly in the coastal area, around Mount Cameroon, and in the north.^[57] Superfamilies and families Penaeoidea Aristeidae Benthesicymidae Penaeidae Sicyoniidae Solenoceridae Sergestoidea Luciferidae Sergestidae Wikispecies has information related to: Dendrobranchiata Prawns are shrimpâ€“like crustaceans, belonging to the sub-order Dendrobranchiata [1]. Prawns are distinguished from the superficially similar shrimp by the gill structure which is branching in prawns (hence the name... The shore at Limbe Limbe (also spelled LimbÃ©) is a city in western Cameroon. ... For a quarter-century following independence, Cameroon was one of the most prosperous countries in Africa. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... USD redirects here. ... Headquarters Yaounde, Cameroon Established 1972 President Jean-FÃ©lix Mamalepot Central Bank of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa Currency Central African CFA franc ISO 4217 Code XAF Website www. ... States of UDEAC The Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (or UDEAC from its name in French, Union Douaniere et Ã‰conomique de lâ€™Afrique Centrale), established by the Brazzaville Treaty in 1966, formed a customs union with free trade area between members and a common external tariff for imports... now. ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... IMF redirects here. ... Tourists climbing Mount Cameroon, Southwest Province Tourism in Cameroon is a growing but relatively minor industry. ...

Cameroon's natural resources are better suited to agriculture and forestry than to industry. An estimated 70% of the population farms, and agriculture comprised an estimated 45.2% of GDP in 2006.^[16] Most agriculture is done at the subsistence scale by local farmers using simple tools. They sell their surplus produce, and some maintain separate fields for commercial use. Urban centres are particularly reliant on peasant agriculture for their foodstuffs.^[58] Soils and climate on the coast encourage extensive commercial cultivation of bananas, cocoa, oil palms, rubber, and tea. Inland on the South Cameroon Plateau, cash crops include coffee, sugar, and tobacco. Coffee is a major cash crop in the western highlands, and in the north, natural conditions favour crops such as cotton, groundnuts, and rice. Reliance on agricultural exports makes Cameroon vulnerable to shifts in their prices.^[16]

Livestock are raised throughout the country. Fishing employs some 5,000 people and provides 20,000 tons of seafood each year.^[59] Bushmeat, long a staple food for rural Cameroonians, is today a delicacy in the country's urban centres. The commercial bushmeat trade has now surpassed deforestation as the main threat to wildlife in Cameroon.^[60] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 477 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 Ã— 610 pixel, file size: 470 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A Fulani man herds cattle in northern Cameroon. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 477 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 Ã— 610 pixel, file size: 470 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) A Fulani man herds cattle in northern Cameroon. ... The Fulbhe (singular Pullo) or Fulani is an ethnic group of people spread over many countries in West Africa,Central Africa and as far as East Africa. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The southern rainforest has vast timber reserves, estimated to cover 37% of Cameroon's total land area.^[61] However, large areas of the forest are difficult to reach. Logging, largely handled by foreign-owned firms, provides the government US$60 million a year, and laws mandate the safe and sustainable exploitation of timber. Nevertheless, in practice, the industry is one of the least regulated in Cameroon.^[62]^[63]

Factory-based industry accounted for an estimated 16.1% of GDP in 2006.^[16] More than 75% of Cameroon's industrial strength is located in Douala and Bonabéri.^[64] Cameroon possesses substantial mineral resources, but these are not extensively mined.^[17] Petroleum exploitation has fallen since 1985, but this is still a substantial sector such that dips in prices have a strong effect on the economy.^[65]^[16] Rapids and waterfalls obstruct the southern rivers, but these sites offer opportunities for hydroelectric development and supply most of Cameroon's energy.^[66] The Sanaga River powers the largest hydroelectric station, located at Edéa.^[67] The rest of Cameroon's energy comes from oil-powered thermal engines. Much of the country remains without reliable power supplies.^[68] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 629 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1220 Ã— 1162 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 629 Ã— 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1220 Ã— 1162 pixel, file size: 1. ... A share taxi is a mode of transport that falls between private transport and conventional bus transport, with a fixed route, but the convenience of stopping anywhere to pick or drop passengers, etc. ... Abong-Mbang (pronounced a-buhng bong) is a town located in the East Province of The Republic of Cameroon in central Africa. ... LomiÃ© is a town in the LomiÃ© District in the Upper Nyong division of the East Province of Cameroon. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... BonabÃ©ri is a port in the Littoral Province of Cameroon. ...

Transport in Cameroon is often difficult. Roads are poorly maintained^[69] and subject to inclement weather, since only 10% of the roadways are tarred.^[16] Roadblocks often serve little other purpose than to allow police and gendarmes to collect bribes from travellers.^[70] Road banditry has long hampered transport along the eastern and western borders, and since 2005, the problem has intensified in the east as the Central African Republic has further destabilised.^[71] Rail service runs from Kumba in the west to Bélabo in the east and north to Ngaoundéré. International airports are located in Douala and Garoua with a smaller facility at Yaoundé. The Wouri River estuary provides a harbour for Douala, the country's principal seaport. In the north, the Bénoué River is seasonally navigable from Garoua across into Nigeria. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. ... Kumba is a city in western Cameroon. ... BÃ©labo is a town in Cameroon, lying on the YaoundÃ© â€“ NGaoundÃ©re railway line. ... Garoua is the capital of the North Province of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. ...

Although press freedoms have improved since the early 2000s, the press is corrupt and beholden to special interests and political groups.^[72] Newspapers routinely self-censor to avoid government reprisals.^[20] The major radio and television stations are state-run,^[73] and other communications, such as land-based telephones and telegraphs, are largely under government control.^[74] However, cell phone networks and Internet providers have increased dramatically since the early 2000s^[75] and are largely unregulated.^[21] Telephones - main lines in use: 60,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 2,800 (1995) Telephone system: available only to business and government domestic: cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 11, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998) Radios: 2. ...

Demographics

2005 estimates place Cameroon's population at 17,795,000.^[76] This population is young: an estimated 41.2% are under 15, and 96.7% are under 65. The birth rate is estimated at 33.89 births per 1,000 people, the death rate at 13.47.^[16] The life expectancy is 51.16 years (50.98 years for males and 51.34 years for females).^[16] The Maka-Njem ethnic groups of Cameroon. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (750x1000, 1011 KB) A Tikar family in Cameroons Northwest Province. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (750x1000, 1011 KB) A Tikar family in Cameroons Northwest Province. ... The Tikar are a people of Cameroon. ...

Cameroon's population is almost evenly divided between urban and rural dwellers.^[77] Population density is highest in the large urban centres, the western highlands, and the northeastern plain.^[78] Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua are the largest cities. In contrast, the Adamawa Plateau, southeastern Bénoué depression, and most of the South Cameroon Plateau are sparsely populated.^[79] People from the overpopulated western highlands and the underdeveloped north are moving to the coastal plantation zone and urban centres for employment.^[80] Smaller movements are occurring as workers seek employment in lumber mills and plantations in the south and east.^[81] Although the national sex ratio is relatively even, these out-migrants are primarily males, which leads to unbalanced ratios in some regions.^[82] This does not cite any references or sources. ... View of YaoundÃ© YaoundÃ©, Â«yah oon DAYÂ», estimated population 1,430,000 (2004), is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the country after Douala. ... Garoua is the capital of the North Province of Cameroon, lying on the Benue River. ...

Both monogamous and polygamous marriage are practiced, and the average Cameroonian family is large and extended.^[83] In the north, women tend to the home, and men herd cattle or work as farmers. In the south, women grow the family's food, and men provide meat and grow cash crops. Cameroonian society is male-dominated, and violence and discrimination against women is common.^[84]^[20]^[21] At the onset of puberty, an estimated 26% of girls are subjected to breast ironing, a practice by which their breasts are pounded or massaged with heated objects to prevent them from developing. The goal is to prevent the girls from becoming precociously sexually active and to protect them from sexual assault.^[85] Female genital mutilation is practiced in portions of the Far North and Southwest provinces.^[19] Faithfulness redirects here. ... Polygamy has been a feature of human culture since earliest history. ... Breast ironing is a form of body modification practiced in parts of Cameroon. ... Genital modification and genital mutilation both can refer to permanent or temporary changes to the human genitals. ...

Estimates identify anywhere from 230 to 282 different ethnic and linguistic groups in Cameroon.^[86]^[87] The Adamawa Plateau broadly bisects these into northern and southern divisions. The northern peoples are Sudanese ethnic groups, who live in the central highlands and the northern lowlands, and the Fulani, who are spread throughout northern Cameroon. A small number of Shuwa Arabs live near Lake Chad. Southern Cameroon is inhabited by speakers of Bantu and Semi-Bantu languages. Bantu-speaking groups inhabit the coastal and equatorial zones, while speakers of Semi-Bantu languages live in the Western grassfields. Some 5,000 Pygmies roam the southeastern and coastal rainforests or live in small, roadside settlements.^[88] War in the Central African Republic has driven more than 20,000 refugees to Cameroon's Adamawa and East provinces since 2002,^[89] and kidnappings of Cameroonian citizens by Central African bandits have increased since 2005.^[71] Nigerians, especially Igbo, make up the largest group of foreign nationals.^[90] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1060x688, 138 KB) Maison du peuple Mousgoum en forme dobus Ã la province de lExtrÃªme Nord au Cameroun Aut. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1060x688, 138 KB) Maison du peuple Mousgoum en forme dobus Ã la province de lExtrÃªme Nord au Cameroun Aut. ... Musgum home in Cameroon made of earth and grass The Musgum or Moupoui are an ethnic group in Cameroon and Chad. ... The Baggara or Baqqarah (Arabic: Ø§Ù„Ø¨Ù‚Ø§Ø±Ø©) are a nomadic Bedouin people inhabiting Africa from between Lake Chad and the Nile, in the states of Sudan (particularly Darfur), Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic. ... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu (light brown) vs. ... Semi-Bantu or Grassfields Bantu refers to a group of related African languages spoken by the inhabitants of the Western grassfields of Cameroon (portions of the Adamawa, West, Northwest, and Southwest provinces). ... The Igbo, sometimes (especially formerly) referred to as the Ibo/Ebo, are an ethnic group in West Africa numbering in the tens of millions. ...

Cameroon has a high level of religious freedom and diversity.^[20] The northern peoples are predominantly Muslim, although some ethnic groups retain native animist beliefs and are called Kirdi ("pagan") by the Fulani. The U.S. Department of State claims that some Muslims discriminate against Christians and followers of traditional beliefs in the north.^[20] Southern ethnic groups predominantly follow Christian or animist beliefs, or a syncretic combination of the two. People widely believe in witchcraft, and the government outlaws such practices.^[91] Suspected witches are often subject to mob violence.^[20] For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... The term Animism is derived from the Latin anima, meaning soul.[1][2] In its most general sense, animism is simply the belief in souls. ... Kirdi is a word of Kanuri origin, denoting non-Muslims, referring to the ethnic group of the Northern Mandaras in Cameroon and north-eastern Nigeria. ... Department of State redirects here. ... Topics in Christianity Movements Â· Denominations Ecumenism Â· Relation to other religions Preaching Â· Prayer Music Â· Liturgy Â· Calendar Symbols Â· Art Â· Criticism Christianity Portal This box: Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The European languages introduced during colonialism have created a linguistic divide between the English-speaking fifth of the population who live in the Northwest and Southwest provinces and the French-speaking remainder of the country.^[92] Both English and French are official languages. Cameroonian Pidgin English is the most common lingua franca, especially in the formerly British-administered territories.^[93] A mixture of English, French, and Pidgin called Camfranglais has been gaining popularity in urban centres since the mid-1970s.^[94] Cameroonian Pidgin English, or Cameroonian Creole, is a linguistic entity of Cameroon. ... Camfranglais, Frananglais, or Franglais is a language from Cameroon, consisting of a mixture of French, English and the creole language Cameroonian Pidgin English. ...

Culture

Each of Cameroon's ethnic groups has its own unique cultural forms. Typical celebrations include births, deaths, plantings, harvests, and religious rituals. Seven national holidays are observed throughout the year, and movable holidays include the Christian holy days of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, and Ascension; and the Muslim holy days of 'Id al-Fitr, 'Id al-Adha, and Eid Milad Nnabi. Holidays Movable holidays in Cameroon include: Christian: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday Muslim: Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha See also: Music of Cameroon, List of writers from Cameroon, Cameroon Categories: | ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Baka, also known as Bebayaka, Bebayaga, Bibaya, or Babinga, are an ethnic group inhabiting the southeastern rain forests of Cameroon, northern Congo (Brazzaville), northern Gabon, and southwestern Central African Republic. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the date January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... National Youth Day is a national holiday in Cameroon on February 11India celebrating its national youth day on Jan 12th . Categories: | | | ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Labour Day Parade in Toronto in the early 1900s A Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... National Day is a holiday in Cameroon celebarated on 20 May. ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Assumption has been a subject of Christian art for centuries. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Unification Day is a holiday in Cameroon that is celebrated on 1 October. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. ... This article is about the Christian festival. ... Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures, especially Roman Catholic cultures. ... Also refers to the process of gaining Enlightenment and several meditation techniques. ... Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: Ø¹ÙŠØ¯ Ø§Ù„ÙØ·Ø± â€˜Äªdu l-Fiá¹r), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. ... Eid al-Adha (Arabic: Ø¹ÙŠØ¯ Ø§Ù„Ø£Ø¶ØÙ‰ â€˜Äªd al-â€™Aá¸á¸¥Ä) is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahims (Abrahams) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah, but a voice from heaven allows Ibrahim to sacrifice a goat instead. ... Milad, Milad an-Nabi or Mawlid un-Nabi (Arabic: ) is the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad. ...

Music and dance are an integral part of Cameroonian ceremonies, festivals, social gatherings, and storytelling.^[95] Traditional dances are highly choreographed and separate men and women or forbid participation by one sex altogether.^[96] The goals of dances range from pure entertainment to religious devotion.^[97] Traditionally, music is transmitted orally. In a typical performance, a chorus of singers echoes a soloist.^[98] Musical accompaniment may be as simple as clapping hands and stomping feet,^[99] but traditional instruments include bells worn by dancers, clappers, drums and talking drums, flutes, horns, rattles, scrapers, stringed instruments, whistles, and xylophones; the exact combination varies with ethnic group and region. Some performers sing complete songs by themselves, accompanied by a harplike instrument.^[98]^[100] Bamileke drummers in Cameroons West Province. ... Bamileke dancers perform in BatiÃ©, West Province. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ...

Popular music styles include ambasse bey of the coast, assiko of the Bassa, mangambeu of the Bangangte, and tsamassi of the Bamileke.^[101] Nigerian music has influenced Anglophone Cameroonian performers, and Prince Nico Mbarga's highlife hit "Sweet Mother" is the top-selling African record in history.^[102] The two most popular styles are makossa and bikutsi. Makossa developed in Douala and mixes folk music, highlife, soul, and Congo music. Performers such as Manu Dibango, Francis Bebey, Moni Bilé, and Petit-Pays popularised the style worldwide in the 1970s and 1980s. Bikutsi originated as war music among the Ewondo. Artists such as Anne-Marie Nzié developed it into a popular dance music beginning in the 1940s, and performers such as Mama Ohandja and Les Têtes Brulées popularised it internationally during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.^[103] Ambasse bey or ambas-i-bay is a style of folk music and dance from Cameroon. ... The Assiko is a very spectacular and popular dance from the South of Cameroon. ... Mangambeu is a popular musical style of the Bangangte people of Cameroon. ... Bamileke dancers in BatiÃ©, West Province The Bamileke (French BamilÃ©kÃ©) are a collection of Semi-Bantu (or Grassfields Bantu) ethnic groups most highly concentrated in the western highlands of Cameroons West Province, west of the Noun River and southeast of the Bamboutos Mountains and in the Mungo region... Tsamassi is a popular musical style of the Bamileke of Cameroon. ... Timeline and Samples Genres Hip hop - Reggae - Gospel The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. ... Prince Nico Mbarga Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 Abakakili, Nigeria - 24 June 1997), highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father, Prince Nico embraced the musical traditions of both cultures. ... Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 1920s and spread to other West African countries. ... Prince Nico Mbarga Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 Abakakili, Nigeria - 24 June 1997), highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father, Prince Nico embraced the musical traditions of both cultures. ... Makossa is a type of music which is most popular in urban areas in Cameroon. ... Bikutsi is a musical genre from Cameroon. ... Highlife is a musical genre that originated in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the 1920s and spread to other West African countries. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... // Soukous is a musical genre that originated in the Congos during the 1930s and early 1940s, and which has gained popularity throughout Africa. ... Manu Dibango (born December 12, 1933) is a Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player. ... Hong Kong is Talking About . ... Mono BilÃ© is a Cameroonian makossa musician. ... Petit-Pays is a Cameroonian makossa musician. ... Anne-Marie NziÃ© is a Cameroonian bikutsi singer. ... Mama Ohandja is a Cameroonian singer, musical arranger, dancer and choreographer. ... Les TÃªtes BrulÃ©es are a Cameroonian band known for a mellow pop version of the bikutsi dance music. ...

Cuisine varies by region, but a large, one-course, evening meal is common throughout the country. A typical dish is based on cocoyams, maize, manioc, millet, plantains, potatoes, rice, or yams, often pounded into dough-like fufu (cous-cous). This is served with a sauce, soup, or stew made from greens, groundnuts, palm oil, or other ingredients.^[104] Meat and fish are popular but expensive additions.^[105] Dishes are often quite hot, spiced with salt, red pepper, and Maggi.^[106] Water, palm wine, and millet beer are the traditional mealtime drinks, although beer, soda, and wine have gained popularity.^[107] Silverware is common, but food is traditionally manipulated with the right hand. Breakfast consists of leftovers or bread and fruit with coffee or tea. Snacks are popular, especially in larger towns where they may be bought from street vendors. The cuisine of Cameroon is one of the most varied in Africa due to its location on the crossroads between the north, west, and centre of the continent; added to this is the profound influence of French food, a legacy of the colonial era. ... Young women in preparing Fufu in Democratic Republic of Congo Fufu, also spelled foofoo, foufou, or fu fu, is a staple food of West and Central Africa. ... Poster ad by Firmin Bouisset Maggi sauce. ... For other uses, see Palm wine (disambiguation). ... Millet beer, also known as Bantu beer, kaffir beer, or opaque beer, is an alcoholic beverage made from malted millet. ...

Traditional arts and crafts are practiced throughout the country for commercial, decorative, and religious purposes. Woodcarvings and sculptures are especially common.^[108] The high-quality clay of the western highlands is suitable for pottery and ceramics.^[97] Other crafts include basket weaving, beadworking, brass and bronze working, calabash carving and painting, embroidery, and leather working. Traditional housing styles make use of locally available materials and vary from temporary wood-and-leaf shelters of nomadic Mbororo to the rectangular mud-and-thatch homes of southern peoples. Dwellings made from materials such as cement and tin are increasingly common.^[109] Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 759 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1485 Ã— 1173 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 759 Ã— 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1485 Ã— 1173 pixel, file size: 1. ... Lake Ossa Lake Ossa is a lake that lies west of EdÃ©a in the Littoral Province of Cameroon. ... The Wodaabe (or Bororo) are a subgroup of the Fulani ethnic group. ...

Cameroonian literature and film have concentrated on both European and African themes. Colonial-era writers such as Louis-Marie Pouka and Sankie Maimo were educated by European missionary societies and advocated assimilation into European culture as the means to bring Cameroon into the modern world.^[110] After World War II, writers such as Mongo Beti and Ferdinand Oyono analysed and criticised colonialism and rejected assimilation.^[111] Shortly after independence, filmmakers such as Jean-Paul Ngassa and Thérèse Sita-Bella explored similar themes.^[112] In the 1960s, Mongo Beti and other writers explored post-colonialism, problems of African development, and the recovery of African identity.^[113] Meanwhile, in the mid-1970s, filmmakers such as Jean-Pierre Dikongué Pipa and Daniel Kamwa dealt with the conflicts between traditional and post-colonial society. Literature and films during the next two decades concentrated more on wholly Cameroonian themes.^[114] Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Zentralstadion (Central Stadium), located in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, is the home of FC Sachsen Leipzig. ... Leipzig ( ; Sorbian/Lusatian: Lipsk from the Sorbian word for Tilia) is, with a population of over 506,000, the largest city in the federal state of Saxony, Germany. ... is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of films produced in Cameroon: // Afrique, je te plumerai (1993) Anna Makossa (1980) LappÃ¢t du gain (1981) Au prix du verre (2001) Backdoor to Hollywood 7 (1989) Badyaga (1987) Le Balafon du Cameroun (1983) Boubou cravate (1972) La brÃ»lure (1982) Cameroon Connection (1985... Louis-Marie Pouka was a Cameroonian poet who advocated the assimilation of Cameroonian peoples into French culture. ... Sankie Maimo was a writer from British Southern Cameroons. ... Not to be confused with Intermarriage. ... Alexandre Biyidi Awala (June 30, 1932 - October 8, 2001), known as Mongo Beti, was a Cameroonian writer. ... Ferdinand Léopold Oyono (born 1929) is an author from Cameroon whose work is recognized for irony that shows how easily people can be fooled. ... Jean-Paul Ngassa is a Cameroonian filmmaker. ... ThÃ©rÃ¨se Sita-Bella is a Cameroonian filmmaker. ... Jean-Pierre DikonguÃ© Pipa is a Cameroonian film director and writer. ... Daniel Kamwa (born April 14, 1943)[1] is a filmmaker and actor from Nkongsamba, Cameroon. ...

National policy strongly advocates sport in all forms. Traditional sports include canoe racing and wrestling, and several hundred runners participate in the 40 km (24.8 mi) Mount Cameroon Race of Hope each year.^[115] Cameroon is one of the few tropical countries to have competed in the Winter Olympics. However, sport in Cameroon is dominated by football (soccer). Amateur football clubs abound, organised along ethnic lines or under corporate sponsors. The Cameroon national football team has been one of the most successful in the world since its strong showing in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Cameroon has won four African Cup of Nations titles and the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.^[116] The Mount Cameroon Race of Hope is an annual, televised footrace held at Mount Cameroon in the Southwest Province of Cameroon. ... Cameroon competed in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States. ... An athlete carries the Olympic torch during the 2002 torch relay The Winter Olympic Games are a winter multi-sport event held every four years. ... Sport in Cameroon is practiced widely by the population and advocated by the national government. ... First international Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia (Madagascar; 13 April 1960) Biggest win Cameroon 9 - 2 Somalia (Madagascar; 13 April 1960) Biggest defeat Norway 6 - 1 Cameroon (Oslo, Norway; 31 October 1990) Russia 6 - 1 Cameroon (Palo Alto, California, USA; 28 June 1994) Costa Rica 5 - 0 Cameroon (San Jose, Costa... The 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 14th staging of the World Cup, was held in Italy from June 8 to July 8. ... The African Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Nations Cup (ANC) is the main international football competition in Africa. ...