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Republic of Cameroon

République du Cameroun  (French) Renndaandi Kamerun  (Fula)
Coat of arms of Cameroon
Coat of arms
Motto: 
"Paix – Travail – Patrie" (French)
"Peace – Work – Fatherland"
Anthem: 
Ô Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancêtres  (French)
(English: "O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers")
Location of Cameroon on the globe.
Location of Cameroon
Capital Yaoundé
3°52′N 11°31′E / 3.867°N 11.517°E / 3.867; 11.517
Largest city Douala
Official languages
Recognised regional languages
  • Cameroonian Pidgin English
  • Fula
  • Ewondo
  • Camfranglais
Demonym(s) Cameroonian
Government Unitary dominant-party semi-presidential constitutional republic
Paul Biya
Joseph Ngute
Legislature Parliament
Senate
National Assembly
Independence from France
• Declared
 1 January 1960
• Admitted to the United Nations
 20 September 1960
• Union with the former
British Cameroons
 1 October 1961
Area
• Total
 475,442 km2 (183,569 sq mi) (53rd)
• Water (%)
 0.57
Population
• 2018 estimate
 25,216,267 (56th)
• 2005 census
 17,463,836
• Density
 39.7/km2 (102.8/sq mi) (167th)
GDP (PPP) 2018 estimate
• Total
 $95.068 billion (93rd)
• Per capita
 $3,820 (152nd)
GDP (nominal) 2018 estimate
• Total
 $38.445 billion (98th)
• Per capita
 $1,544 (152nd)
Gini (2014) 46.6
high
HDI (2018) Increase 0.563
medium · 150th
Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)
Driving side right
Calling code +237
ISO 3166 code CM
Internet TLD .cm

Cameroon (officially called the Republic of Cameroon) is a country in west Africa. Its capital is Yaoundé. The largest city in Cameroon is Douala. The population of Cameroon is about 20 million. Cameroon's president is Paul Biya. They speak nearly 250 languages in Cameroon. French and English are the official languages.

Geography

Rhumsiki Peak
Volcanic plugs dot the landscape near Rhumsiki, Far North Region.

At 475,442 square kilometres (183,569 sq mi), Cameroon is the world's 53rd-largest country. It is about the size of Papua New Guinea. The country is in Central and West Africa on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. 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.

Regions

The constitution divides Cameroon into 10 regions. On 12 November 2008, the President changed the divisions from provinces to regions. Each region is headed by a presidentially appointed governor.

The regions are divided into 58 divisions. These are headed by presidentially appointed divisional officers.

Regions of Cameroon
Region French name Capital Population (1987) Area (km²) Population density (/km²)
1. Adamawa Adamaoua Ngaoundéré 495,185 63,691 8
2. Centre Centre Yaoundé 1,651,600 68,926 24
3. East Est Bertoua 517,198 109,011 5
4. Far North Extrême-Nord Maroua 1,855,695 34,246 54
5. Littoral Littoral Douala 1,352,833 20,239 67
6. North Nord Garoua 1,687,959 65,576 13
7. Northwest Nord-Ouest Bamenda 1,237,348 17,812 69
8. South Sud Ebolowa 373,798 47,110 8
9. Southwest Sud-Ouest Buea 838,042 24,571 34
10. West Ouest Bafoussam 1,339,791 13,872 97

Cities

Some of the largest cities in Cameroon are:

Ranking Name Population
1. Douala 2,000,000
2. Yaoundé 1,600,000
3. Garoua 450,000
4. Bafoussam 350,000
5. Maroua 327,000
6. Bamenda 299,600
7. Ngaoundéré 185,700

Languages

The official languages of Cameroon are French and English. It is part of both the British Commonwealth and La Francophonie. Most people speak French.

Related pages



Images for kids

  • Shumom-text

    Bamum script is a writing system developed by King Njoya in the late 19th century.

  • Ahmadou Ahidjo

    Former president Ahmadou Ahidjo ruled from 1960 until 1982.

  • Paul Biya 2014

    Paul Biya has ruled the country since 1982.

  • Elephants around tree in Waza, Cameroon

    Elephants in Waza National Park

  • Taureaux et vaches hollandais à wallya Cameroun

    Dutch bulls and cows at Wallya community during the rainy season in Cameroon

  • Bateau au port de Douala1

    Douala seaport

  • GedWomenDay

    Cameroonian women on Women's Day Celebration

  • Maison obus

    The homes of the Musgum, in the Far North Region, are made of earth and grass.

  • Nigeria Benin Cameroon languages

    Map of the region's indigenous languages

  • Yaoundé Cathédrale

    Our Lady of Victories Cathedral, catholic church in Yaoundé

  • Baka dancers June 2006

    Dancers greet visitors to the East Region.

  • Ndolè à la viande , morrue et crevette

    Plantains and "Bobolo" (made from cassava) served with Ndolè (meat and shrimp)

  • Camerounais en tenue traditionnelle

    Cameroonian fashion is varied and often mixes modern and traditional elements. Note the wearing of sun glasses, Monk shoes, sandals, and a Smartwatch.

  • Woman weaving baskets near Lake Ossa

    A woman weaves a basket near Lake Ossa, Littoral Region. Cameroonians practise such handicrafts throughout the country.

  • Cameroon vs Germany 2003

    Cameroon faces Germany at Zentralstadion in Leipzig, 17 November 2004.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Camerún para niños

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