The government has banned all MRC demonstrations for one week in June, accusing the group of destabilizing the country. More than 350 MRC members and supporters were arrested in Yaounde on June 1 and 2. One of the leading Anglophone activists, Abdul Karim Ali, was denied access to a lawyer for five days. In a recent article in the Washington Post, we examined the situation in Cameroon and its impact on the opposition.
Natural attractions
Central African country Cameroon lies on the Gulf of Guinea and is home to varied landscape and diverse wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its largest city, Douala, serve as transit points for ecotourism sites such as the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls and Limbe, where rescued primates live. The rescued primates can be viewed in Limbe, where a zoo has opened there to educate tourists about their care and welfare.
Population
Cameroon is a Central African country on the Gulf of Guinea with a varied landscape and abundant wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its seaport, Douala, serve as transit points for ecotourism sites. For nature lovers, Kribi is located near the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls, and Limbe is home to rescued primates. The country is home to more than 50 ethnic groups, including the Cameroon People.
Major cities
The country has a diverse population with over 200 ethnic groups. French and English are the official languages, but there are over 270 African languages spoken throughout the country. Cameroon is rich in natural resources, including oil, timber, and hydroelectric power. There is a thriving factory industry in the cities of Douala and Bonaberi. The country exports lumber and oil and is an important source of food and fuel for its citizens.
Languages spoken
Central Africa’s Cameroon is a country with varied terrain and wildlife. Its capital city, Yaoundé, sits on the Gulf of Guinea and is a major seaport. The largest city, Douala, is a transit hub for ecotourism sites such as the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls. Limbe is a city known for rescued primates. The country has over 450 indigenous languages and dialects.
Early European presence
The earliest known history of European settlement in Cameroon goes back to the Antiquity. Contact with the Mediterranean world was made through ocean routes and saharan trade routes. Trade routes through northern Cameroon included the Kanem and Fulani people. Small chiefdoms dominated coastal areas and the western highlands. In the 15th century, Portuguese travelers established contact with Cameroon, settling in the coastal regions and acquiring slaves from local inhabitants.
Christian missions
Christian missions in Cameroon are needed in a country where the population is influenced by animistic beliefs. Animistic beliefs include ancestor worship, witchcraft, and traditional medicine. These beliefs are intertwined with the religions in Cameroon, making it difficult for Christians to reach the animistic communities and share the gospel. The indigenous ministry seeks to improve Christian schools and drill wells in remote villages while also working in prisons and operating an orphanage.
Economic development
The government of Cameroon sees the development of its agriculture sector as the most important way to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth. To this end, the government has pushed for more liberalization in the sector, which it explains by its strategy of boosting competitiveness. The government also seeks to diversify production domestically and through exports. As of mid-2001, the country’s average MFN tariff on agricultural goods is 22.5%, which is considered very low in the world.
Climate
The current climate of Cameroon is based on historical data and can be visualized through time series, spatial variation, and seasonal cycles. You can access climatology data for Cameroon by year, sub-national data aggregation, and specific coordinates. To get started, select a time period and click on the ‘Get Data’ button. Alternatively, you can download historical climatologies using the Data Download page.