Page last updated on January 28, 2014
French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
total: 475,440 sq km
country comparison to the world: 54
land: 472,710 sq km
water: 2,730 sq km
slightly larger than California
total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)
petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower
arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops: 2.94%
other: 84.01% (2011)
total: 0.97 cu km/yr (23%/10%/68%)
per capita: 58.9 cu m/yr (2005)
volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes
volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986
waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
noun: Cameroonian(s)
adjective: Cameroonian
Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
22,534,532 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected
0-14 years: 40% (male 4,151,140/female 4,076,797)
15-24 years: 20.3% (male 2,107,067/female 2,066,718)
25-54 years: 31.9% (male 3,317,740/female 3,240,609)
55-64 years: 4.3% (male 419,751/female 468,077)
65 years and over: 3.4% (male 319,597/female 381,725) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 85.8 %
youth dependency ratio: 79.8 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6 %
potential support ratio: 16.7 (2013)
total: 19.7 years
male: 19.6 years
female: 19.8 years (2013 est.)
2.04% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
31.93 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
11.51 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
urban population: 52.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
YAOUNDE (capital) 2.432 million; Douala 2.053 million (2011)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
19.7
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)
690 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 10
total: 58.51 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 28
male: 62.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 53.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 55.02 years
country comparison to the world: 202
male: 54.1 years
female: 55.95 years (2013 est.)
4 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
5.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 137
0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)
5.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
610,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
37,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
10.3% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 130
16.6% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 45
3.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 137
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 71.3%
male: 78.3%
female: 64.8% (2010 est.)
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 11 years (2011)
total number: 1,396,281
percentage: 31 % (2006 est.)
conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon
conventional short form: Cameroon
local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon
local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon
former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon
republic; multiparty presidential regime
name: Yaounde
geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, East (Est), Far North (Extreme-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West (Sud-Ouest)
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996; amended 2008 (2008)
mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
20 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%
bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 70 indirectly elected by municipal councils, 30 appointed by the President) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature; a senate was initially designated in 1996 by constitutional amendment but was only convened following a presidential decree in 2013
elections: Senate last held on 14 April 2013 (next to be held NA); National Assembly last held on 30 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: Senate percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 56, SDF 14; National Assembley percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 148, SDF 18, UNDP 5, UDC 4, UPC 3, other 2
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon (a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly); judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms
subordinate courts: Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrate's courts
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]
Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA (since 12 September 2008)
chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790
FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gregory THOME
embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde
mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03
FAX: [237] 2220 15 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52
branch office(s): Douala
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the "star of unity"
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
name: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)
lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME
note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 and officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems confronting other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. Subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel have strained the budget. Cameroon recently began several large infrastructure projects, including a deep sea port in Kribi, a natural gas powered electricity generating plant, and several hydroelectric dams. Cameroon must attract more investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, but its business environment is a deterrent to foreign investment.
$50.16 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$25.01 billion (2012 est.)
4.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$2,300 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
21% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
household consumption: 67.4%
government consumption: 16.3%
investment in fixed capital: 21%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 30.7%
imports of goods and services: -34.8%
agriculture: 20.8%
industry: 27.5%
services: 51.6% (2012 est.)
coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, cassava (manioc); livestock; timber
petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
4.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
8.246 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
agriculture: 70%
industry: 13%
services: 17% (2001 est.)
30% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
44.6 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 43
revenues: $4.819 billion
expenditures: $5.726 billion (2012 est.)
19.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
-3.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
16.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
2.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)
14% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$3.482 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$6.279 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
$2.772 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$230 million (31 December 2012 est.)
$-956.2 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
$6.015 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton
China 15.2%, Netherlands 9.7%, Spain 9.1%, India 8.6%, Portugal 8.1%, Italy 6%, US 5.5%, France 4% (2012)
$6.321 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food
China 18.7%, France 14.9%, Nigeria 12.3%, Belgium 5.2%, US 4.4%, India 4.2% (2012)
$3.431 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
$3.207 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per dollar -
5.761 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
5.181 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
1.115 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
27.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
72.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
63,520 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
55,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
34,220 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
200 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 59
43,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
29,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
13,370 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
6,018 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
150 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
210 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 50
8.126 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
737,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 88
13.1 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 64
general assessment: system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 3 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable
domestic: mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 50 per 100 persons
international: country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a TV and radio network, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until August 2007 when the government finally issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operating but are subject to closure at any time; foreign news services required to partner with state-owned national station (2007)
10,207 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 134
749,600 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 106
33 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 112
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m:
gas 53 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,107 km; water 35 km (2013)
total: 1,245 km
country comparison to the world: 82
narrow gauge: 1,245 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
total: 51,350 km
country comparison to the world: 77
paved: 4,108 km
unpaved: 47,242 km
note: there are 28,857 km of national roads (2011)
(major rivers in the south, such as the Wouri and the Sanaga, are largely non-navigable; in the north, the Benue, which connects through Nigeria to the Niger River, is navigable in the rainy season only to the port of Garoua) (2010)
river port(s): Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue)
oil/gas terminal(s): Limboh Terminal
Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC), Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique (MNR), includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2013)
18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years; the government makes periodic calls for volunteers (2012)
males age 16-49: 4,667,251
females age 16-49: 4,548,909 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 2,794,998
females age 16-49: 2,718,110 (2010 est.)
male: 215,248
female: 211,636 (2010 est.)
1.42% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 215
Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agreed on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
