2014 Edition

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.

Area

475,440 sq km 472,710 sq km 2,730 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

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)

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

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 none of the selected 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)

0.97 cu km/yr (23%/10%/68%) 58.9 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

58.9 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.97 cu km/yr (23%/10%/68%)

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

256.5 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

5,018 km Central African Republic 901 km, Chad 1,116 km, Republic of the Congo 494 km, Equatorial Guinea 183 km, Gabon 349 km, Nigeria 1,975 km

border countries

Central African Republic 901 km, Chad 1,116 km, Republic of the Congo 494 km, Equatorial Guinea 183 km, Gabon 349 km, Nigeria 1,975 km

total

5,018 km

Land use

13.04% 2.94% 84.01% (2011)

arable land

13.04%

other

84.01% (2011)

permanent crops

2.94%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm

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 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

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

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 (2011)

Age structure

42.9% (male 5,001,984/female 4,927,122) 19.6% (male 2,286,244/female 2,257,231) 30.4% (male 3,529,203/female 3,491,125) 3.9% (male 445,181/female 468,388) 3.4% (male 337,490/female 386,740) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

42.9% (male 5,001,984/female 4,927,122)

15-24 years

19.6% (male 2,286,244/female 2,257,231)

25-54 years

30.4% (male 3,529,203/female 3,491,125)

55-64 years

3.9% (male 445,181/female 468,388)

65 years and over

3.4% (male 337,490/female 386,740) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

36.58 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,396,281 31 % (2006 est.)

percentage

31 % (2006 est.)

total number

1,396,281

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.1% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

23.4% (2011)

Death rate

10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

85.1 % 79.1 % 6 % 16.8 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6 %

potential support ratio

16.8 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

85.1 %

youth dependency ratio

79.1 %

Drinking water source

urban: 94.1% of population rural: 51.9% of population total: 74.1% of population urban: 5.9% of population rural: 48.1% of population total: 25.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

48.1% of population

total

25.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

5.9% of population

Education expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2011)

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%

Health expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.5% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

34,600 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

600,500 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

55.1 deaths/1,000 live births 58.78 deaths/1,000 live births 51.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

51.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

55.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

57.35 years 56.09 years 58.65 years (2014 est.)

female

58.65 years (2014 est.)

total population

57.35 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 71.3% 78.3% 64.8% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

64.8% (2010 est.)

male

78.3%

total population

71.3%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

Douala 2.449 million; YAOUNDE (capital) 2.432 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

690 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.3 years 18.2 years 18.4 years (2014 est.)

female

18.4 years (2014 est.)

male

18.2 years

total

18.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.7 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Cameroonian(s) Cameroonian

adjective

Cameroonian

noun

Cameroonian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

10.3% (2008)

Physicians density

0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

23,130,708 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 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

2.6% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 61.7% of population rural: 26.8% of population total: 45.2% of population urban: 38.3% of population rural: 73.2% of population total: 54.8% of population (2012 est.)

rural

73.2% of population

total

54.8% of population (2012 est.)

urban

38.3% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 10 years (2011)

female

10 years (2011)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.82 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Urbanization

52.1% of total population (2011) 3.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

52.1% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Yaounde 3 52 N, 11 31 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

3 52 N, 11 31 E

name

Yaounde

time difference

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

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 18 January 1996; amended 2008 (2008)

Country name

Republic of Cameroon Cameroon Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon Cameroun/Cameroon French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon

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

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gregory THOME Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde P. O. Box 817, Yaounde; pouch: American Embassy, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 [237] 2220 15 00; Consular: [237] 2220 16 03 [237] 2220 15 00 Ext. 4531; Consular FAX: [237] 2220 17 52 Douala

branch office(s)

Douala

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gregory THOME

embassy

Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaounde

FAX

[237] 2220 15 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

Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA (since 12 September 2008) 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-8790 [1] (202) 387-3826

chancery

2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; current temporary address - 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Joseph FOE-ATANGANA (since 12 September 2008)

FAX

[1] (202) 387-3826

telephone

[1] (202) 265-8790

Executive branch

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009) Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister appointed by the president President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from proposals submitted by the prime minister

chief of state

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)

election results

President Paul BIYA reelected; percent of vote - Paul BIYA 78.0%, John FRU NDI 10.7%, Garga Haman ADJI 3.2%, Adamou Ndam NJOYA 1.7%, Paul Abine AYAH 1.3%, other 5.1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (with no term limits per 2008 constitutional amendment); election last held on 9 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); 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" uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Independence

1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon (a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly); judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrate's courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Cameroon (consists of 9 titular and 6 surrogate judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and audit chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 11 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Higher Judicial Council of Cameroon (a body chaired by the president and includes the minister of justice, selected magistrates, and representatives of the National Assembly); judge term NA; Constitutional Council members appointed by the president for single 9-year terms

subordinate courts

Parliamentary Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases involving the president and prime minister); appellate and first instance courts; circuit and magistrate's courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consisting of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 70 indirectly elected by municipal councils, 30 appointed by the President) and a 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; a senate was initially designated in 1996 by constitutional amendment but was only convened following a presidential decree in 2013 Senate last held on 14 April 2013 (next to be held NA); National Assembly last held on 30 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Senate percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 56, SDF 14; National Assembley percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 148, SDF 18, UNDP 5, UDC 4, UPC 3, other 2

election results

Senate percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 56, SDF 14; National Assembley percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 148, SDF 18, UNDP 5, UDC 4, UPC 3, other 2

elections

Senate last held on 14 April 2013 (next to be held NA); National Assembly last held on 30 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME

name

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

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA] Cameroon People's Party or CPP [Edith Kah WALLA] 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 [Jean-Jacques EKINDI] Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI] Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [The PMB, provisionary management bureau]

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, cassava (manioc, tapioca); livestock; timber

Budget

$5.089 billion $6.28 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$6.28 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$5.089 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14% (31 December 2013 est.) 14% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.461 billion (2013 est.) -$956.2 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$3.455 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.207 billion (31 December 2012 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 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. Subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel have strained the budget. Cameroon has several large infrastructure projects under construction, including a deep sea port in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. It also recently opened a natural gas powered electricity generating plant. Cameroon must attract more investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, but its business environment is a deterrent to foreign investment.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per dollar - 500.7 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$6.002 billion (2013 est.) $6.015 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton

Exports - partners

China 15.2%, Netherlands 9.7%, Spain 9.1%, India 8.6%, Portugal 8.1%, Italy 6%, US 5.5%, France 4% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

65.6% 16% 21.7% 0% 31.7% -35% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

31.7%

government consumption

16%

household consumption

65.6%

imports of goods and services

-35%

investment in fixed capital

21.7%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

20.6% 27.3% 52.1% (2013 est.)

agriculture

20.6%

industry

27.3%

services

52.1% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,400 (2013 est.) $2,400 (2012 est.) $2,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.6% (2013 est.) 4.6% (2012 est.) 4.1% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$27.88 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$53.16 billion (2013 est.) $50.85 billion (2012 est.) $48.62 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

21.6% of GDP (2013 est.) 21% of GDP (2012 est.) 19.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 35.4% (2001)

highest 10%

35.4% (2001)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$6.795 billion (2013 est.) $6.321 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food

Imports - partners

China 18.7%, France 14.9%, Nigeria 12.3%, Belgium 5.2%, US 4.4%, India 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4.1% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.6% (2013 est.) 2.9% (2012 est.)

Labor force

8.426 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

70% 13% 17% (2001 est.)

agriculture

70%

industry

13%

services

17% (2001 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$230 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

48% (2000 est.)

Public debt

16.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.353 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.431 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.195 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $5.731 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.898 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.772 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.764 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.482 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

30% (2001 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.126 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

55,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

34,220 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

63,520 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.181 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

27.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

72.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.115 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

5.761 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

210 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

150 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

135.1 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

29,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

13,370 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,018 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

43,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a TV 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

10,207 (2012)

Internet users

749,600 (2009)

Telephone system

system includes cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter; Camtel, the monopoly provider of fixed-line service, provides connections for only about 3 per 100 persons; equipment is old and outdated, and connections with many parts of the country are unreliable 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 50 per 100 persons 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) (2011)

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 50 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 3 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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

737,400 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

13.1 million (2012)

Airports

33 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

11

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

22

Pipelines

gas 53 km; liquid petroleum gas 5 km; oil 1,107 km; water 35 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue) Limboh Terminal

oil/gas terminal(s)

Limboh Terminal

river port(s)

Douala (Wouri); Garoua (Benoue)

Railways

1,245 km 1,245 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

1,245 km

Roadways

51,350 km 4,108 km 47,242 km there are 28,857 km of national roads (2011)

total

51,350 km

unpaved

47,242 km

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

4,667,251 4,548,909 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,548,909 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,667,251

Manpower fit for military service

2,794,998 2,718,110 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,718,110 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,794,998

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

215,248 211,636 (2010 est.)

female

211,636 (2010 est.)

male

215,248

Military branches

Cameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC), Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique (MNR), includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Fire Fighter Corps, Gendarmerie (2013)

Military expenditures

1.42% of GDP (2012) 1.37% of GDP (2011) 1.42% of GDP (2010)

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 (2012)

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 agreed 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

184,536 (Central African Republic); 12,400 (Nigeria) (2014)

refugees (country of origin)

184,536 (Central African Republic); 12,400 (Nigeria) (2014)