Welcome to Cameroon

Cameroon is a country of different landscapes and climates, with dry Sahel regions in the north, grasslands and highlands in the centre and dense rain forests across the south. These forests are important for wildlife and the environment. Come and find out about Cameroon’s natural wealth and the development challenges it faces.

GEOGRAPHY:
Location: Central West Africa bordering the Bight of Biafra (part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean)

Area: 475,650 km² (183,650) sq. mi.).

Terrain: Northern plains, central and western highlands, southern and coastal tropical forests.

Highest peak: Mt. Cameroon (13,353 ft.).

CLIMATE

The climate of Cameroon splits into two:

i) the tropical climate of the north has a single, light wet season and high temperatures (averaging 30°C) which increase in the dry regions to the far north

ii) the moderated climate of the south has fairly constant temperatures (averaging 26°C) and two wet seasons with heavy, regular rains influenced by the sea and land elevations.

LANGUAGES

Reflecting the old colonial split of the country Cameroon has two official languages, French and English. French is spoken by roughly four-fifths of the population, English by a fifth. However, locals often speak both languages.

In parts of the country, particularly in areas bordering Nigeria, locals may rely on pidgin English. In the largely Muslim north, Arabic is sometimes spoken.

CULTURE

The different populations of Cameroon can roughly be categorised into groups of the south, west and north.

In the north, the Fulani are dominant (making up around a tenth of Cameroon’s population). Originally cattle herders, most of these Islamic people are no longer nomadic, having settled in one place as farmers and merchants. The Choa,Katoko and Kirdi live in the northernmost regions.

In the western highlands, groups include theBamoun and the Bamiléké. The Bamiléké are particularly known for their farming skills and their spirit-focused traditional religion.

Across the south, groups of Bantu-speakers spread into Cameroon over the centuries. They include the Bassa, Douala, Bakweri, Bantanga, Ewondo and Fang, among many others. But the first settlers were the ‘pygmies’, many of whom retain their traditional nomadic lifestyle in the rainforests of the south. Officially known as the Baka (or by the names of other minority ethnic groups such as the BaKola and Bofi) they were called ‘pygmies’ because of their small stature.

TOURISM

The Cameroonian government promotes the country as “Africa in miniature”, asserting that the country offers all the diversity of Africa—in climate, culture, and geography—within its borders. Other touristic phrases sometimes used include “the melting pot of Africa” and “Africa in microcosm”. Cameroon’s tourist destinations are in four general areas: the coast, the major cities, the Western highlands, and the north. The coast offers two major beach resort towns: Limbe is English-speaking with black, volcanic sand; and Kribi is a French-speaking city with white-sand beaches. Mount Cameroon on the coast is the highest mountain in Central and West Africa and draws hikers and climbers. The stepping-off point for climbing Mt. Cameroon is the city of Buea, where guides can be hired and equipment can be rented. There are several tin-roofed huts for hikers to sleep in during their trek up the mountain.

Yaoundé is home to most of Cameroon’s national monuments. It also has several museums. The Western highlands offer picturesque mountain scenery, waterfalls and lakes, and the altitude provides a cooler climate. Bamenda is the main city in the western highlands, and is the capital of the Northwest province. This area is known for its traditional culture and crafts. The city of Bafoussam is especially famous for its wood-carving culture and artifacts. In fact, the area produces more crafts than any other in Cameroon. The West is also home to traditional chiefdoms and fondoms, such as the sultanate of Foumban. Each chief typically has his own palace or compound which visitors may visit for a fee.

Cameroon’s north is the nation’s primary tourist draw. The area has several wildlife reserves, including the largest and best-run in West Africa, Waza National Park. These parks offer both animal viewing and big-game hunting. Animals in this region include cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippopotami, and rhinoceroses. Maroua offers a large crafts market and museums.