Cameroon is a great place for adventurous travelers. The country is full of game parks, jungles, mountain resorts, coffee plantations and African history. Cameroon is made up of five geographical regions which were drawn up by German colonizers in the 19 th century. The five regions are home to over 150 different ethnic groups, thus Cameroon’s nickname “Africa in miniature.” Geographically, Cameroon is made up of mountains, volcanic highlands, jungles, coastal plains, rainforests and savannas. The Republic of Cameroon borders Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Gulf of Guinea. Unfortunately in recent years, corruption and poverty have prevented the country from using its natural resources to its benefit. Cameroon hosts a multitude of remarkable attractions for experienced African travelers, but may be a rough introduction to the continent for first time visitors.

The government of Cameroon has created a ministry of tourism and encouraged investment in infrastructure. The government promotes the nation's diversity of climate, culture, and geography. Cameroon's wildlife is the primary draw for both safari-goers and big-game hunters, and hosts Africa's iconic animals: elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, chimpanzees, gorillas, hippopotami, and rhinocerose.

Quick Facts

• People
  • Nationality: English noun and adjective--Cameroonian(s); French noun and adjective--Camerounais(e).
  • Population (2008 est.): 18,467,692.
  • Annual growth rate (2008 est.): 2.218%.
  • Ethnic groups: About 250.
  • Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous African 40%.
  • Languages: French and English (both official) and about 270 African languages and dialects, including pidgin, Fulfulde, and Ewondo.
  • Education: Compulsory between ages 6 and 14. Attendance--65%. Literacy--75%.
  • Health: Infant mortality rate (2008)--64.6/1,000 live births. Life expectancy (2007)--53.3 yrs.
  • Work force: Agriculture--70%. Industry and commerce--13%.
• Government
  • Type: Republic; strong central government dominated by president.
  • Independence: January 1, 1960 (for areas formerly ruled by France) and October 1, 1961 (for territory formerly ruled by Britain).
  • Constitution: June 2, 1972, last amended in 2008.
  • Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), 7-year term, no term limits; appointed prime minister (head of government). Legislative--unicameral National Assembly (180 members; meets briefly three times a year--March, June, November); a new Senate was called for under constitutional changes made in early 1996. Judicial--falls under the executive's Ministry of Justice.
  • Administrative subdivisions: 10 provinces, 58 departments or divisions, 349 subprefectures or subdivisions.
  • Political parties: Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) or its predecessor parties have ruled since independence. Major opposition parties: the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), and the Cameroon Democratic Union (CDU).
    Suffrage: Universal at 20.
• Economy
  • GDP (2007 est.): $20.646 billion.
  • Annual real GDP growth rate (2007): 3.3%.
  • GDP per capita (2007 est.): $1,095.
  • Inflation (2007 est.): 0.9%.
  • Natural resources: Oil, timber, hydroelectric power, natural gas, cobalt, nickel, iron ore, uranium.
  • Agriculture (2007): 44.3% of GDP. Products--timber, coffee, tea, bananas, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, pineapples, cotton. Arable land (2005 est.)--12.54%.
  • Industry (2007): 15.9% of GDP.
  • Services (2007): 39.8% of GDP.
  • Trade (2007): Exports--$3.7 billion: crude oil, timber and finished wood products, cotton, cocoa, aluminum and aluminum products, coffee, rubber, bananas. Major markets--European Union, CEMAC, China, U.S., Nigeria (informal). Imports--$3.6 billion: crude oil, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, aluminum oxide, rubber, foodstuffs and grains, agricultural inputs, lubricants, used clothing.
  • Major suppliers--France, Nigeria, Italy, U.S., Germany, Belgium, Japan.

The earliest inhabitants of Cameroon were probably the Bakas (Pygmies). They still inhabit the forests of the south and east provinces. Bantu speakers originating in the Cameroonian highlands were among the first groups to move out before other invaders. During the late 1770s and early 1800s, the Fulani, a pastoral Islamic people of the western Sahel, conquered most of what is now northern Cameroon, subjugating or displacing its largely non-Muslim inhabitants. Cameroon's estimated 250 ethnic groups form five large regional-cultural groups: western highlanders (or grassfielders), including the Bamileke, Bamoun, and many smaller entities in the northwest (est. 38% of population); coastal tropical forest peoples, including the Bassa, Douala, and many smaller entities in the Southwest (12%); southern tropical forest peoples, including the Ewondo, Bulu, and Fang (all Beti subgroups), Maka and Pygmies (officially called Bakas) (18%); predominantly Islamic peoples of the northern semi-arid regions (the Sahel) and central highlands, including the Fulani, also known as Peuhl in French (14%); and the "Kirdi", non-Islamic or recently Islamic peoples of the northern desert and central highlands (18%).

The people concentrated in the southwest and northwest provinces--around Buea and Bamenda--use standard English and "pidgin," as well as their local languages. In the three Northern provinces--Adamaoua, North, and Far North--French and Fulfulde, the language of the Fulani, are widely spoken. Elsewhere, French is the principal language, although pidgin and some local languages such as Ewondo, the dialect of a Beti clan from the Yaounde area, also are widely spoken. Although Yaounde is Cameroon's capital, Douala is the largest city, main seaport, and main industrial and commercial center.

History

Cameroon was divided into two colonies between the British and French, after World War I. Both colonies gained independence in 1960 and a year later formed a federation. Yaounde and Buea were designated as the twp regions. Managing the federation was a struggle, and in 1972 the two Cameroons united as a republic.

Initially Cameron was a model for developing African countries. It was a stable, multicultural society with a high living standard and well-maintained infrastructure. However, the country lacked democracy and was run under a strict one-party rule. Tensions developed and in 1992, and the ruling party (headed by Paul Biya) agreed to hold democratic elections. The struggle for democracy was great, including rallies and riots. However, Cameroonians succeeded in developing a democracy. Despite the new found democracy, tensions remained in the country. Cameroon failed to develop economically and was rescued by the International Monetary Fund. Biya was re-elected in 1997 and 2004.

Planning Your Visit

• Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports, visas, proof of onward passage and sufficient funds are required of Australian, Canadian, U.K. and U.S. citizens.
• Population: 15,421,937
• Languages: English, French, indigenous languages
• Predominant Religions: Animist, Christian, Islamic
• Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed
• Voltage Requirements: 220 volts
• Telephone Codes: 237 (country code)

Climate

Cameroon has a varied topography so there isn’t a particular time to visit that is better than another. However, December through March is the driest period. April through November is the rainy season with high humidity. (Also, many game parks are closed this time of year.) August and September are also hot and rainy. Be aware that it can be cool at higher elevations: 50F/10-15 C or colder.

Money

• Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)
• Bank Hours: Mo nday-Friday 7:30-11:30 am and 2:30-4:30 pm. Be prepared to wait in long lines.
• Tipping: Tipping is not necessary or expected. If you choose to tip, us the 10% rule of thumb.

Safety

Isolated acts of violence occur throughout the country, so always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid large demonstrations even if they don’t seem to be political. Check your money carefully to avoid counterfeiters. Street crime is common in Yaounde and Douala and at times the Cameroon/Nigeria border is disputed and clashes arise. Bandits tend to target tourist destinations in the Extreme North province and carjacking is increasing in Douala and Yaounde. To avoid these situations, hire a reliable local guide. It is best not to travel at night.

Other tips

• Always ask before taking photos. It is illegal to take photos of government buildings. You can obtain a permit to take general photos at the Ministry of Information and Culture in Yaounde.
• Don’t buy animal skins as they are generally illegal to export.
• Don’t step into a prayer circle (usually found in front of a house and looks like a circle of rocks).
• Carry your passport with you at all times. If you are asked to show it, try showing a photo copy first.
• Stop at all military check points
• Register with your embassy upon arrival