Cameroon

     From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The United Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central Africa. It borders on Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and the Gulf of Guinea. The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. 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 Yaounde.

Republique Unie du Cameroun

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Paix, Travail, Patrie (French: Peace, Work, Fatherland)
Official languages	English, and French
Capital	Yaounde
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	Communaute financiere africaine franc (XAF)
Time zone	UTC+1
National anthem	Chant de Ralliement (The Rallying Song)
Internet TLD	.cm
Calling Code	237

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Provinces 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Education 9 Miscellaneous topics

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 may of it's speakers moved out before foreign invaders came into the nation.

The first European contact was in the 1500s with the Portuguese, but they would 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.

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, 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 Supreme Court may review the constitutionality of a law only at the president's request.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Cameroon Cameroon is divided into 10 provinces:

• Adamaoua
• Centre Province
• Est Province
• Extreme-Nord Province
• Littoral
• Nord Province
• Nord-Ouest Province
• Ouest Province
• Sud Province
• Sud-Ouest Province.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Cameroon

Economy

Main article: Economy of Cameroon

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Cameroon

Culture

Main article: Culture of Cameroon

Holidays

Date	English Name
January 1	New Year's Day and Independence Day
May 1	Labor Day
May 20	National Day
May 21	Sheep Festival
August 15	Assumption
December 25	Christmas

In addition, movable holidays include: Christian: Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday Muslim: 'Id al-Fitr and 'Id al-Adha See also: Music of Cameroon, List of writers from Cameroon

Education

Main article: Education in Cameroon

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Cameroon
• Transportation in Cameroon
• Military of Cameroon
• Foreign relations of Cameroon
• Catholic Church in Cameroon