Before you travel to Cameroon, here is some information about the country: Geographical regions, Political system, Natural features, and Human rights situation. Hopefully, this information will help you plan your trip. But first, you should know the basics: What is Cameroon like? And what are its major challenges? And how do you get there? Read on for more. And stay tuned for more information about Cameroon!
Geographical regions of Cameroon
The different geographic regions in Cameroon give rise to distinct climates. In the coastal regions, the temperature and humidity are high, while in the lowlands there are little to no seasonal variations. The high-elevation northern regions are dry with little humidity and extremely hot. The climate in Cameroon varies widely and has different effects on each region. Listed below are the main climate zones in Cameroon:
The country’s landscape is characterized by four distinct geographic regions: the low coastal plains of the southwest, the Adamaoua Plateau, and the great northern plains, from Lake Chad to the Gulf of Guinea. The volcanic mountains and inselbergs of the north include Mt. Cameroon, the highest peak in sub-Saharan West Africa. The country’s capital is Yaoundé.
Political system
Since independence in the 1960s, the political system in Cameroon has been centered around the state apparatus. Its elite have appeared on the eve of elections, but disappeared just as quickly. But grassroots populations have also managed to see through the charade. The experiences in the 2013 legislative and municipal elections in Mbankomo state in Cameroon serve as case studies for this chapter. They show how the political elite have tried to control the people.
The Cameroonian electoral calendar for the 2013 cycle features presidential, legislative, and municipal elections. With the creation of the Senate, the hierarchy of power shifted significantly. According to Article 6(4) of the constitution, the President of the Senate is next in line to fill the post of head of state. The role of constitutional successor was previously held by the president of the National Assembly. However, the recent constitutional changes have made the structure even more complex and confusing.
Natural features
The northern Sahel region comprises rolling savanna that gradually slopes to the marshy flood plain of Lake Chad. The southern part of the country is covered with savannah bushland, with very little rainfall. A large area of Lake Chad serves as the country’s main water source. A few rivers in the country feed into the Lake, including the Adamaoua and Logone.
The climate of Cameroon varies considerably from region to region. The central plateau has four seasons: a long dry season from October to April, a short dry season from July to September, and a wet season from November to May. In contrast, the southern plateau region experiences a single wet season, which occurs between October and May. The country’s climate is characterized by a wide range of natural features, including the Akok-Bekoe Region, which is home to several caves and crater lakes. In the Ngoumou Forest Reserve, a small town called Mpi, visitors can visit the Charles Atangana National Park, and the Akok-Bekoe Caves, which are located on Mount Cameroon.
The landscape of Cameroon includes all the major climates and vegetation of Africa. The country’s coastline is roughly triangular in shape and extends from the Gulf of Guinea to Lake Chad. The country’s borders include Nigeria, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. Its mountains rise from the coastal plateau, which is heavily forested with Central African mangroves. Cameroon also has a number of rivers and is home to several national parks.
Human rights situation
The country is beset with two major conflicts and rising ethno-political tensions. The most recent conflict, which began in 2017, involved the government and separatists belonging to the English-speaking minority. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 6,000 civilians and displaced 765,000 others. About 70,000 Cameroonian refugees have fled to Nigeria, while 2.2 million people need humanitarian assistance. At least 600000 children have been deprived of effective schooling. Moreover, Cameroon faces deadly attacks from jihadist groups in the Lake Chad region.
Separatists also abused civilians and prisoners, and the country’s constitution prohibits torture. Separatist fighters abducted civilians and political opponents, and security forces abused them. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented the abuses. Other incidents involved public officials and separatists abducting citizens, including journalists. Separatists allegedly abducted four government officials in Boyo, the Northwest Region, and a local official, but released the hostages after receiving ransom payments.