Cameroon

The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central Africa. It borders Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Gulf of Guinea. The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroons merged in 1961 to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon which in 1972 was renamed the United Republic of Cameroon; since 1984 the country is known as the Republic of Cameroon. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy. The capital is Yaoundé.

Republic of Cameroon

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Paix, Travail, Patrie (French: Peace, Work, Fatherland)
Official languages	English and French
Capital	Yaoundé
Largest City	Douala
President	Paul Biya
Prime Minister	Peter Mafany Musonge
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 52nd 475,440 km² 1.3%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 60th 15,746,179 34/km²
Independence  - Date	From France January 1, 1960
Currency	CFA franc (XAF)
Time zone	UTC+1
National anthem	Chant de Ralliement (The Rallying Song)
Internet TLD	.cm
Calling Code	237

History

Main article: History of Cameroon

The first inhabitants of Cameroon were the pygmy Baka tribes. The Bantu language originated in the highlands of Cameroon, but many of its speakers moved out before foreign invaders came into the nation.

The first European contact was in the 1500s with the Portuguese, but they did not stay. The first permanent settlements were started in the late 1870s, with Germany emerging as the major European Power. After World War I though, the country would be split by Britain and France.

In 1961 the French and British portions of Cameroon were united, the French portion having gained independence a year earlier. The new coalition government was led by Ahmadou Ahidjo who led a crack down on rebel groups who had remained since before independence.

Ahidjo stepped down in 1982 and was succeeded by the current president, Paul Biya. Biya has won numerous elections, but the fairness of these elections has been questioned. The latest elections were in 1997 with the next scheduled for late 2004.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Cameroon

The President of Cameroon holds executive power in the government of Cameroon. This provision was part of the reforms instituted in 1996 to the Constitution, that had been originally written in 1972. The President is given a broad range of powers, and is able to carry them out without consulting the National Assembly.

The National Assembly consists of 180 delegates and meets three times a year. The main responsibility of the Assembly is to pass laws, but rarely has it changed any laws or blocked the passage of legislation.

The judiciary is subordinate to the executive branch's Ministry of Justice. The Provinces of Cameroon

Cameroon is divided into 10 provinces:

• Adamawa (Adamaoua)
• Centre Province
• East Province (Est)
• Extreme North Province (Extreme-Nord)
• Littoral
• North Province (Nord)
• Northwest Province (Nord-Ouest)
• West Province (Ouest)
• South Province (Sud)