| 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 or
République du Cameroun (its official languages are English
and French). 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.
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 last elections were held on October 11, 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 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:
Geography
Main article: Geography of Cameroon
Economy
Main article: Economy of Cameroon
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of
Cameroon
Culture
Main article: Culture of Cameroon
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
|
