Cameroun

Cameroun, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. The country's coastline lies on the Bight of Bonny, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean.

History[edit | edit source]

The area of present-day Cameroon was first settled during the Neolithic era. The Sao civilization arose around Lake Chad around the 6th century AD and gave way to the Kanem and Bornu empires. Portuguese explorers reached the coast in the 15th century and named the area Rio dos Camarões (Shrimp River), which became Cameroon in English. In the 19th century, Fulani soldiers founded the Adamawa Emirate in the north, and various ethnic groups in the west and northwest established powerful chiefdoms and fondoms. The German Empire claimed the territory as the colony of Kamerun in 1884. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and Britain as League of Nations mandates. The French-administered part of Cameroon gained independence in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The southern part of British Cameroons federated with it in 1961 to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The federation was abandoned in 1972.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Cameroon is often referred to as "Africa in miniature" for its geological and cultural diversity. It features beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. The highest point is Mount Cameroon in the Southwest Region, and the largest cities are Douala, Yaoundé, and Garoua.

Politics[edit | edit source]

Cameroon is a unitary state with a presidential system. The President of Cameroon is Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. The country is known for its relatively stable political environment compared to other African nations, although it has faced issues such as corruption and human rights abuses.

Economy[edit | edit source]

Cameroon's economy is based on agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services. Major export markets include France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The country is a member of the African Union, the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Cameroon is home to over 250 ethnic groups and languages. The official languages are French and English. The largest religious groups are Christians, followed by Islam and indigenous faiths.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Cameroon is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and festivals. The country has a diverse culinary scene, with dishes such as Ndolé, Eru, and Koki. Football is the most popular sport, and the national team, known as the Indomitable Lions, has won several Africa Cup of Nations titles.