Cameroon
Republic of Cameroon
unitary republicIndependence 1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French
Cameroon as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 86 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, | between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
15 fieldsLand useshare of 475,440 sq km
International disputes
- demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria;
- dispute with Nigeria over land and maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred to the International Court of Justice
Terrain
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
- lowest point:
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Fako 4,095 m
Environment
- current issues:
- water-borne diseases are prevalent;
- deforestation;
- overgrazing;
- desertification;
- poaching;
- overfishing
- natural hazards:
- recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83;
- signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 94
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 46% (male 3,295,924; female 3,266,429)
- 15-64 years:
- 51% (male 3,602,037; female 3,627,625)
- 65 years and over:
- 3% (male 213,176; female 256,366) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.83 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Unitary republic; President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; Prime Minister Simon ACHIDI ACHU (since 9 April 1992) appointed by the president
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Cameroon
- conventional short form:
- Cameroon
- former:
- French Cameroon
Type of government
unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)
Administrative divisions
10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest
Legal system
based on French civil law system, with common law influence; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
- election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA October 1997);
- results - President Paul BIYA reelected with about 40% of the vote amid widespread allegations of fraud;
- SDF candidate John FRU NDI got 36% of the vote;
- UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI got 19% of the vote
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Simon ACHIDI ACHU (since 9 April 1992) appointed by the president
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the president
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
- elections last held 1 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats (180 total) CPDM 88, UNDP 68, UPC 18, MDR 6
Political parties and leaders
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) (government-controlled and the only party until legalization of opposition parties in 1990), Paul BIYA, president
- major opposition parties:
- National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP);
- Social Democratic Front (SDF);
- Cameroonian Democratic Union (UDC);
- Union of Cameroonian Populations (UPC);
- Movement for the Defense of the Republic (MDR)
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA
- chancery:
- 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 265-8790 through 8794
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Charles H. TWINING
- embassy:
- Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde
- mailing address:
- B. P. 817, Yaounde
- telephone:
- [237] 23-40-14, 23-05-12
Flag
- three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band;
- uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Because of its offshore oil resources and | favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the | best-endowed, most diversified primary commodity economies in | sub-Saharan Africa.
20 fieldsGDP composition by sector(1994 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 630,000 kW
Economic overview
Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed, most diversified primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led to rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices; of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal management were exposed. In 1990-93, with support from the IMF and World Bank, the government began to introduce reforms designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, and recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability, following suspect elections in 1992, brought IMF/WB structural adjustment to a halt; currently Cameroon receives only minimal assistance from those Bretton Woods institutions. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency of 12 January 1994 improved the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains the main barrier to economic improvement. The devaluation led to a spurt in inflation, to 48% in 1994, but inflation moderated in 1995. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry remains slow.
Labor force
NA; by occupation: agriculture 74.4%, industry and transport 11.4%, other services 14.2% (1983)
Industries
petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber
Agriculture
- coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches;
- livestock;
- timber
Exports
$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
- commodities:
- crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, aluminum, cocoa beans, coffee, cotton
- partners:
- EU (particularly France) about 50%, African countries, US
Imports
$810 million (f.o.b., 1994)
- commodities:
- machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer goods, transport equipment, petroleum products
- partners:
- EU (France 38%, Germany), African countries, Japan 5%, US 5%
Exchange rates
CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January 1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Transportation
6 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 45 in all
Networkskm
Communications
Army, Navy (includes Naval Infantry), Air Force, | National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard
9 fieldsTelephone system
available only to business and government
- domestic:
- cable, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter
- international:
- satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Manpower availability
- males age 15-49:
- 3,112,339
- males fit for military service:
- 1,572,150
- males reach military age (18) annually:
- 151,300 (1996 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Cameroon.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/cameroon/1996.