CAMEROON

Cameroon is an unitary republic of central and western Africa. The country is often called "Africa in miniature" for its geological and cultural diversity. Natural features include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. The nation is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups. The country is well-known for its native styles of music, particularly makossa and bikutsi, and for its successful national football team. Cameroon became a German colony in 1884. After World War I, the territory was split between France and Great Britain as League of Nations mandates. The Union des Populations du Cameroun political party advocated independence but was outlawed in the 1950s. It waged war on French and Cameroonian forces until 1971. In 1960, French Cameroun became independent as the Republic of Cameroun under President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Compared to other African countries, Cameroon enjoys relative political and social stability. This has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and large petroleum and timber industries. Nevertheless, large numbers of Cameroonians live in poverty as sustenance farmers. Power lies firmly in the hands of the president, Paul Biya, and his Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party. The Anglophone community has grown increasingly alienated from the government, and Anglophone politicians have called for greater decentralisation or even secession of the former British-governed territories.


Capital:
- Yaoundé
Area:
- Total: 475,442 km² (53rd) 183,568 sq mi
- Water (%): 1.3
Independence:
- from France and UK : 1 January 1960
Official languages:
- French, English
Population:
- July 2005 estimate: 16,322,000 (58th)
- 2003 census: 15,746,179
- Density: 34/km² (167th) 88/sq mi