Cameroon

Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa with a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west, 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 has a diverse geography that includes coastal rainforests, the Adamawa and other highlands, savannas in the north, and the active Mount Cameroon volcano. The capital is Yaoundé, and the largest city is Douala.

Cameroon has a mixed and diverse population of about 27 million people, with more than 250 ethnic groups. The official languages are French and English, reflecting the country’s colonial history under both France and Britain; numerous local languages are also widely spoken. The country experiences a range of climates from tropical along the coast to arid in the northern plains. The economy is diversified, with major activities in agriculture (cocoa, coffee, bananas, cocoa, palm oil), oil and gas, timber, and services. It is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), and the currency is the Central African CFA franc. Exports include crude oil, timber, cocoa, and agricultural products.

Historically, Cameroon was colonized as German Kamerun, later divided between France and Britain after World War I. It gained independence in 1960 (French Cameroon), with a 1961 plebiscite leading to unification with British Cameroons. In 1972 the country adopted a unitary state, and in subsequent years the name Cameroons became the Republic of Cameroon. The country has faced political and social tensions, including protests in its English-speaking regions.

Cameroon contains several protected areas and national parks, such as Korup and Waza, and is known for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, including music, football, and crafts.