General background: The former French Cameroon
and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form
the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed
stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture,
roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry.
Despite movement toward democratic reform, political
power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.
Area comparative: Slightly larger than California
Climate: Varies with terrain, from tropical
along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain:
Diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected
plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Population: 16,184,748
Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial
Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu
8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African
less than 1%
Religions: Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian
40%, Muslim 20%
Language: 24 major African language groups,
English (official), French (official)
Government type: Unitary republic; multiparty
presidential regime (opposition parties legalized
in 1990)
Capital: Yaounde
Legal system: Based on French civil law system,
with common law influence; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
Economic overview: Because of its oil resources
and favourable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has
one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies
in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the
serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries,
such as a top-heavy civil service and a generally
unfavourable 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. In June 2000,
the government completed an IMF-sponsored, three-year
structural adjustment program; however, the IMF is
pressing for more reforms, including increased budget
transparency and privatisation. International oil
and cocoa prices have considerable impact on the economy.
Communication/Telephone system: Available only
to business and government. Cable, microwave radio
relay, and tropospheric scatter. Satellite earth stations
- 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean).
Places of interest: Elephants and bongos congregate
by the hundreds in some of Africa's best wildlife
parks, and beachcombers laze on long, isolated beaches.
Travel tips: If you must travel between these
locations, stick to the main routes and travel during
daylight hours, preferably with the armed escort of
Cameroonian security forces. Walking at night around
the streets of Douala, Yaoundé and some of
the other larger cities is considered extremely unwise.
|
