2010 Edition

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 slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.

Area

land

472,710 sq km

total

475,440 sq km

water

2,730 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Coastline

402 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

61 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.99 cu km/yr (18%/8%/74%)

Geographic coordinates

6 00 N, 12 00 E

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

Irrigated land

260 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

total

4,591 km

Land use

arable land

12.54%

other

84.94% (2005)

permanent crops

2.52%

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

volcanism

Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m, 13,435 ft), 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

Natural resources

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Terrain

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north

Total renewable water resources

285.5 cu km (2003)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.9% (male 3,891,762/female 3,822,870) 15-64 years: 55.9% (male 5,298,143/female 5,250,493) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 283,289/female 332,744) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

33.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

12.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2008)

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%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

5.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

39,000 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

540,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

57.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

66.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

62.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

54.9 years (2010 est.)

male

53.21 years

total population

54.04 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

59.8% (2001 est.)

male

77%

total population

67.9%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Median age

female

19.4 years (2010 est.)

male

19.2 years

total

19.3 years

Nationality

adjective

Cameroonian

noun

Cameroonian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

19,294,149 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 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

2.157% (2010 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

9 years (2008)

male

11 years

total

10 years

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 (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.25 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

57% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, North-West (Nord-Ouest), Ouest, Sud, South-West (Sud-Ouest)

Capital

geographic coordinates

3 52 N, 11 31 E

name

Yaounde

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by referendum 20 May 1972; adopted 2 June 1972; revised January 1996

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Cameroon

conventional short form

Cameroon

former

French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon

local long form

Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon

local short form

Cameroun/Cameroon

Diplomatic representation from the US

branch office(s)

Douala

chief of mission

Ambassador Janet E. GARVEY

embassy

Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde

FAX

[237] 2220 16 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA

FAX

[1] (202) 387-3826

telephone

[1] (202) 265-8790

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

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%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 October 2004 (next to be held by October 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)

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

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Independence

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

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

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)

Legal system

based on French civil law system with common law influence; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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

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

elections

last held on 22 July 2007 (next to be held in 2012)

National anthem

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

name

"O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)

National holiday

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

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]

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$826 million (2010 est.) -$1.137 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.231 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.6 (2001) 47.7 (1996)

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 facing other underdeveloped countries, such as stagnate per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, 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 and cocoa led to the significant slowdown in growth in 2009. 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.

Electricity - consumption

4.801 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

5.601 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$4.371 billion (2010 est.) $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)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

20%

industry

30.9%

services

49.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,300 (2010 est.) $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.8% (2010 est.) 0.9% (2009 est.) 3.9% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$21.88 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$44.65 billion (2010 est.) $43.44 billion (2009 est.) $43.05 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)

Imports

$4.869 billion (2010 est.) $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)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2010 est.)

Industries

petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2010 est.) 3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

7.836 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

70%

industry

13%

services

17% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

20 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

20 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

26,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

107,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

45,520 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

77,310 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

48% (2000 est.)

Public debt

16.8% of GDP (2010 est.) 16.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.023 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.676 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.831 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.921 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$848.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) $1.523 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.888 billion (31 December 2010 est) $3.074 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

30% (2001 est.)

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)

Internet users

749,600 (2009)

Telephone system

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

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

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

323,800 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.397 million (2009)

Airports

34 (2010)

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 889 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Douala, Garoua, Limboh Terminal

Railways

narrow gauge

987 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

987 km

Roadways

paved

5,000 km

total

50,000 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)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 4,553,576 females age 16-49: 4,443,217 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 2,721,307 females age 16-49: 2,647,640 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

209,549 (2010 est.)

male

213,538

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 (2010)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2009)

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 makes periodic calls for volunteers (2010)

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 January 20, 2011 ======================================================================