Introduction

Background: |  |

`
French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`6 00 N, 12 00 E`
Map references: |  |
`Africa`
Area: |  |
`total: 475,440 sq km country comparison to the world: 53 land: 472,710 sq km water: 2,730 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly larger than California`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km`
Coastline: |  |
`402 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm`
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`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)`
Natural resources: |  |
`petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 12.54% permanent crops: 2.52% other: 84.94% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`260 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`285.5 cu km (2003)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%) per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano`

People

Population: |  |
`19,711,291 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 40.5% (male 4,027,381/female 3,956,219) 15-64 years: 56.2% (male 5,564,570/female 5,505,857) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 300,929/female 356,335) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 19.4 years male: 19.3 years female: 19.6 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.121% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41`
Birth rate: |  |
`33.04 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 37`
Death rate: |  |
`11.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 30`
Net migration rate: |  |
`0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 58% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 3.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`Douala 2.053 million; YAOUNDE (capital) 1.739 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 32 male: 65.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 56.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 54.39 years country comparison to the world: 201 male: 53.52 years female: 55.28 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`4.17 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 39`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`5.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`610,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`37,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11`
Major infectious diseases: |  |
`degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 51% of population total: 74% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 49% of population total: 26% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 56% of population rural: 35% of population total: 47% of population unimproved: urban: 44% of population rural: 65% of population total: 53% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian`
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%`
Languages: |  |
`24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.9% male: 77% female: 59.8% (2001 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 9 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`3.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 114`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon conventional short form: Cameroon local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon`
Government type: |  |
`republic; multiparty presidential regime`
Capital: |  |
`name: Yaounde geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest)`
Independence: |  |
`1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)`
National holiday: |  |
`Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)`
Constitution: |  |
`approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996; amended April 2008`
Legal system: |  |
`mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law`
International law organization participation: |  |
`accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt`
Suffrage: |  |
`20 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 70.9%, John FRU NDI 17.4%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 4.5%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.7%, other 3.5%
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - the president can either lengthen or shorten the term of the legislature
elections: last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in July 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 140, SDF 14, UDC 4, UNDP 4, MP 1, vacant 17
note: the constitution calls for an upper chamber for the legislature, to be called a Senate, but it has yet to be established
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); High Court of Justice (consists of nine judges and six substitute judges; elected by the National Assembly)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA]; Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA]; Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA]; Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO]; National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA]; Progressive Movement or MP; Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI]; Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Augustin Frederic KODOCK]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Human Rights Defense Group [Albert MUKONG, president]; Southern Cameroon National Council [Ayamba Ette OTUN]`
International organization participation: |  |
`ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Robert P. JACKSON embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde mailing address: P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 FAX: [237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 branch office(s): Douala`
Flag description: |  |

`
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow, with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; the vertical tricolor recalls the flag of France; red symbolizes unity, yellow the sun, happiness, and the savannahs in the north, and green hope and the forests in the south; the star is referred to as the "star of unity"
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
`

National anthem: |  |

`
name: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)
lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME
note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 although officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ
`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Because of its modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems confronting other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, and a generally unfavorable 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. The IMF is pressing for more reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. Weak prices for oil led to the significant slowdown in growth in 2010. The government is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit, which by the government's own forecast will hit 2.8% of GDP, but the presidential election in 2011 may make fiscal austerity difficult.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$44.33 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $43.04 billion (2009 est.) $42.22 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$22.48 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 2% (2009 est.) 2.6% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$2,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 20% industry: 30.9% services: 49.1% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`7.836 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 70% industry: 13% services: 17% (2001 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`30% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 178`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`48% (2000 est.)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`44.6 (2001) country comparison to the world: 40 47.7 (1996)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`21.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $3.779 billion expenditures: $4.34 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`9.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 16.3% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`1.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 3% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 91 4.75% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`NA%`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$2.888 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.074 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$4.831 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $4.921 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$848.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.523 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber`
Industries: |  |
`petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86`
Electricity - production: |  |
`5.601 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`4.801 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 112`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`77,310 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`26,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115`
Oil - exports: |  |
`107,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66`
Oil - imports: |  |
`45,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`200 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`NA cu m (2008 est.)`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`NA cu m (2008 est.)`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-826 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $-1.137 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$4.371 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.079 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Netherlands 13.99%, Spain 12.25%, Italy 11.84%, China 9.14%, US 6.16%, France 5.51%, South Korea 4.66%, Belgium 4.33%, UK 4% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$4.869 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $4.405 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food`
Imports - partners: |  |
`France 21.03%, Nigeria 10.79%, China 10.25%, Belgium 6.62%, US 4.31% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$4.023 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $3.676 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$3.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.231 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`323,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 111`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`7.397 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 80`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 1 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable
domestic: mobile-cellular usage, in part a reflection of the poor condition and general inadequacy of the fixed-line network, has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of 40 per 100 persons
international: country code - 237; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |

`
government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a television and radio network, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until August 2007 when the government finally issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately-owned unlicensed radio stations operating but are subject to closure at any time; foreign news services required to partner with state-owned national station (2007)
`

Internet country code: |  |
`.cm`
Internet hosts: |  |
`90 (2010) country comparison to the world: 205`
Internet users: |  |
`749,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 106`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`34 (2010) country comparison to the world: 111`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 6 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`oil 886 km (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 987 km country comparison to the world: 88 narrow gauge: 987 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 50,000 km country comparison to the world: 80 paved: 5,000 km unpaved: 45,000 km (2004)`
Waterways: |  |
`(major rivers in the south, such as the Wouri and the Sanaga, are largely non-navigable; in the north, the Benue, which connects through Nigeria to the Niger River, is navigable in the rainy season only to the port of Garoua) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Douala, Garoua, Limboh Terminal`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years; the government periodically calls for volunteers (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 4,667,251 females age 16-49: 4,548,909 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 2,794,998 females age 16-49: 2,718,110 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 215,248 female: 211,636 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`1.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 115`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |

`
Joint Border Commission with Nigeria reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a full phase-out of Nigerian control and patriation of residents in 2008; Cameroon and Nigeria agree on maritime delimitation in March 2008; sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
`

Refugees and internally displaced persons: |  |
`refugees (country of origin): 20,000-30,000 (Chad); 3,000 (Nigeria); 24,000 (Central African Republic) (2007)`
Trafficking in persons: |  |

`
current situation: Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; most victims are children trafficked within country, with girls primarily trafficked for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation; both boys and girls are also trafficked within Cameroon for forced labor in sweatshops, bars, restaurants, and on tea and cocoa plantations; children are trafficked into Cameroon from neighboring states for forced labor in agriculture, fishing, street vending, and spare-parts shops; Cameroon is a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon and Nigeria, and from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia; it is a source country for women transported by sex-trafficking rings to Europe
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cameroon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; while Cameroon reported some arrests of traffickers, none of them were prosecuted or punished; the government does not identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations nor does it monitor the number of victims it intercepts (2008)
`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011