
Cameroon Guide
Cameroon – country information
Country name | Cameroon |
Official name | Republic of Cameroon |
Capital | Yaoundé |
Continent | Africa |
Area | 475,442 km2 |
Population | 20,386,799 (2012) |
Foundation of a state | 1/1/1960 |
The highest mountains | Mt. Cameroon 4,070 m |
Longest rivers | Sanaga 918 km |
State system | a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Douala 1,150,000, Yaoundé (capital) 840,000 |
Official language | French, English |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Fangs 20.5%, Bamileks and Bamums 19%, Duals, Luandas and Bas 15%, Fulbs 10%, Tikars 7.5%, others 28% |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 35%, Animists 26.5%, Muslims 22%, Protestants 17.5% |
Currency | 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 cents |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$2,338 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 51.16 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 23%, mining 14%, industry 14.5%, construction 5.5%, services 4.3% |
Cameroon – Neighboring States
State | Capital | Area | Population |
CAD | N’Djamena | 1,284,000 km2 | 12,825,000 |
Gabon | Libreville | 267,668 km2 | 1,672,000 |
Congo | Brazzaville | 342,000 km2 | 4,448,000 |
Nigeria | Abuja | 923,768 km2 | 173,615,000 |
Equatorial Guinea | Malabo | 28,051 km2 | 736,296 |
Central African Republic | Bangui | 622,984 km2 | 4,616,000 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Cameroon is located on the Gulf of Guinea on the border of West and Central Africa. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria.
Country data
Location: Central Africa
Time zone: CET (during summer time: CET – 1)
Total area: 475,440 km²
Land area: 472,710 km²
Water area: 2,730 km²
Length of the state border: 5,018 km
Bordering countries apply to:
Equatorial Guinea: 183 km
Gabon: 349 km
Congo: 494 km
Nigeria: 1,975 km
Chad: 1,116 km
Central African Republic: 901 km
Coastline: 402 km
Capital: Yaoundé
Regions: 10
Adamaoua, Center, East (Est), Far North (Extreme-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West ( Sud-Ouest)
Telephone code: 00 237 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Fako 4,095 m
Population
Population: approx. 23.1 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 2.6% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 49
Life expectancy: 56 (male), 59 (female)
Official language: English, French
Religions:
- 40% Christian
- 20% Muslim
- 40% other
Climate
Cameroon lies on the edge of the equatorial rainy climate. The dry seasons are clearly separated from the rainy periods.
In the north, the great rainy season lasts from the beginning of May to mid-October. The large plains in the interior of the country have a very high rainfall. The temperatures (day / night) fluctuate very strongly. It can get very chilly at night.
In the south of the country, the rainy season lasts from July to the end of October, followed by a very strong dry season (end of October – end of Fenruar).
The annual average temperature in the capital is 23 ° C.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: CFA franc (XAF)
ATMs: Only a few devices available in the largest cities.
International credit cards: These are only accepted occasionally (please clarify when booking the hotel).
Regulations: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. However, the import must be declared. The export is limited to the amount of the declared import.
The import and export of the local currency is at 20,000 XAF. However, exchanges in other currencies are not possible outside of the countries in the CFA franc zone.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or small amounts of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
The export of ivory and ancient works of art is prohibited!
Travel advice
We warn against traveling to the Extreme North region (including Lake Chad), the Bakassi peninsula and the surrounding area, as well as the border areas with Nigeria, Chad and the Central African Republic!
Due to the high risk of attack and kidnapping, we strongly advise against traveling to remote areas of Cameroon.
Since assaults on motorists (often with gun violence) and extortion by the police at roadside checks occur, we recommend that you exercise particular caution:
- DO NOT take strangers with you
- always have a certified COPY of your ID or passport with you
- do not wear money and jewelry visibly
In rural areas there is an even higher risk due to civil unrest and the high crime rate.
Behavioral advice
Airports, military facilities, traffic facilities and government buildings may not be photographed. Caution is also required when taking pictures of people.
With a small gift of money from the person concerned, it is better to get permission beforehand.
Filming is only allowed with official approval!
You should not use the bush taxis (often small minibuses), as they are usually in a very bad condition and the drivers drive very dangerous.
Economy
As a result of the oil discovery, Cameroon is now doing better economically.
The agricultural sector is mainly covered by small farmers.
Tourism only plays a subordinate role.
Industries: oil production, food production, textiles
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, petroleum, wood, hydropower
Land use:
- Land: 13%
- Grain cultivation: 2%
- Pasture area: 4%
- Forests: 78%
- other: 3%
Plants
In the north of Cameroon there are vast savannas and grasslands. These pass into the middle of the country into moist savannas with tropical forests.
The tropical rainforest is predominant in the south.
The mangrove forests growing in large swamps are located near the coastal areas.
Animals
In order to preserve the population of the living wild animals, Cameroon has set up several national parks in recent years.
These animals include monkeys, antelopes, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, lions, and various species of birds.