Discover Fascinating Cameroon Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Cameroon.
Cameroon
Background
Cameroon ๐ is a fascinating country that came to be through the union of two regions! In the early 1960s, the former French Cameroon and British Cameroon combined to create what we know today as Cameroon. ๐ซ๐ค This joining of cultures and histories has led to a unique and stable environment. Because of this stability, Cameroon has seen great growth in several areas. Roads ๐ง, railways ๐, and a booming petroleum industry ๐ข๏ธ have all developed, allowing the country to flourish in agriculture ๐พ as well! It's a great example of how unity can lead to progress!
Exports - commodities
Cameroon is rich in natural resources! ๐ In 2022, the country's exports included a variety of interesting commodities. Hereโs a look at what Cameroon exported:
- Crude Petroleum: A major export that contributes significantly to the economy.
- Natural Gas: Another important energy resource.
- Wood: Timber from Cameroon is valued globally for its quality.
- Cocoa Beans: Delicious chocolate starts with these beans! ๐ซ
- Gold: A shiny treasure that is sought after by many.
These commodities play a vital role in France's economy and international trade! ๐
Total Number of Export Commodities
5
Exports - partners
Cameroon has a diverse range of export partners, each contributing to the country's economy in unique ways! ๐ Here's a fun breakdown of where Cameroon's exports go:
- Netherlands: 19% ๐ณ๐ฑ
- France: 15% ๐ซ๐ท
- India: 14% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- Spain: 10% ๐ช๐ธ
- China: 8% ๐จ๐ณ
These numbers show how important international trade is for Cameroon and how different countries play a role in its export activities! ๐
Top Export Partner
Netherlands (19%)
Second Top Export Partner
France (15%)
Third Top Export Partner
India (14%)
Cameroon's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
The capital of Cameroon is Yaoundรฉ! ๐ Itโs not only the administrative center but also a vibrant city with rich culture and history. Living in Yaoundรฉ offers a blend of modern city life and natural beauty, making it an exciting place to be! ๐๏ธ๐ฟ
Imports - commodities
Cameroon imports a variety of important commodities that help fuel its economy and support its population! ๐พ Here are some key imports for 2022:
- Refined Petroleum: A vital resource for energy needs ๐
- Wheat: An essential food commodity ๐
- Garments: Clothing materials for the fashion industry ๐
- Rice: A staple food for many households ๐
- Plastic Products: Useful for packaging and various industries ๐๏ธ
These commodities are crucial for daily life and economic growth in Cameroon!
Commodities Imported by Cameroon (2022)
Climate
Cameroon has a fascinating climate that changes as you travel across the country! ๐ In coastal areas, you'll find a tropical climate with warm, humid conditions perfect for beautiful beaches. On the other hand, if you venture north, youโll experience a completely different vibe: a semi-arid and hot climate. This means it's drier and hotter, creating a contrast to the lush greenery found in the south. So whether you love beach days or warm desert adventures, Cameroon has a little bit of everything! ๐๐๏ธ
Executive branch
In Cameroon, the Executive branch is led by two important figures! ๐ The Chief of State is President Paul BIYA, who has held this position since November 6, 1982! That's over 41 years of leadership! ๐๏ธ On the other hand, the head of government is the Prime Minister Joseph NGUTE, who took office on January 4, 2019. This means he has been in charge for over 4 years! ๐ These leaders play a crucial role in guiding the nation's policies and decisions.
Duration of President Paul BIYA in office
41 years
Duration of Prime Minister Joseph NGUTE in office
4 years
Legislative branch
In Cameroon, the Legislative branch is like a superhero team! ๐ฆธโโ๏ธ It has two parts, which together make a bicameral Parliament. The Parliament consists of the Senate, which has 100 seats, and the National Assembly with 180 seats. Together, they work to make important laws for the country! ๐โจ
Total Seats in Parliament
280
Number of Seats in the National Assembly
180
Number of Seats in the Senate
100
Seats in the Legislative Branch of Cameroon
Natural resources
๐ Cameroon is rich in natural resources! Here's a quick look at what makes this country so blessed:
- Petroleum: A vital resource for energy and industry.
- Bauxite: The main ingredient for producing aluminum, used in everything from cans to airplanes.
- Iron Ore: Essential for construction and manufacturing.
- Timber: A sustainable resource that supports both the economy and ecology.
- Hydropower: A renewable energy source harnessing the power of rivers! โก๏ธ
These resources are not just important for Cameroon, but they also contribute significantly to the global market! ๐
Key Natural Resources in Cameroon
Petroleum, Bauxite, Iron Ore, Timber, Hydropower
Economic overview
Cameroon is the largest economy in the CEMAC region! ๐ This vibrant country is blessed with many natural resources ๐ฟ, but it faces some challenges. Recent issues like political instability ๐ซ and terrorism ๐ฑ are negatively affecting its economic output. On top of that, systemic corruption and poor enforcement of property rights are complicating the situation. Did you know that poverty is increasing in the northern regions? It's a tough time for many people there! Let's hope for a bright future! ๐
Economic condition
Largest CEMAC economy
Natural resources
Many
Challenges
Political instability and terrorism reducing economic output
Corruption
Systemic
Property rights enforcement
Poor
Poverty increase
Northern regions
Government type
Cameroon operates as a presidential republic! ๐ This means that the president holds a significant amount of power, serving as both the head of state and the head of government. It's an engaging form of government where the citizens participate in electing their leader. However, the president's influence can lead to a mix of views on how well democracy thrives in the country. ๐คโจ
Ethnic groups
Cameroon is a colorful mix of different ethnic groups! ๐ Check out the variety of cultures that make up this beautiful country:
- Bamileke-Bamu: 22.2% ๐ฟ
- Biu-Mandara: 16.4% ๐
- Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri: 13.5% ๐
- Beti/Bassa, Mbam: 13.1% ๐๏ธ
- Grassfields: 9.9% ๐๏ธ
- Adamawa-Ubangi: 9.8% ๐พ
- Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko: 4.6% ๐
- Southwestern Bantu: 4.3% ๐ถ
- Kako/Meka: 2.3% ๐จ
- Foreign/Other Ethnic Group: 3.8% ๐
This showcases the rich diversity of ethnicities in Cameroon! The largest group is the Bamileke-Bamu, while some other smaller groups add to the unique cultural tapestry of the nation. Let's visualize this data to see the makeup of these ethnic groups better! ๐
Largest ethnic group
Bamileke-Bamu (22.2%)
Second largest ethnic group
Biu-Mandara (16.4%)
Smallest ethnic group
Kako/Meka (2.3%)
Percentage of foreign or other ethnic groups
3.8%
Ethnic Groups in Cameroon
Religions
In Cameroon, religion plays a big part in people's lives! ๐ Hereโs a breakdown of the major religions based on the 2022 estimates:
- Roman Catholic: 33.1% โฆ๏ธ
- Muslim: 30.6% โช๏ธ
- Protestant: 27.1% โ๏ธ
- Other Christian: 6.1% ๐
- Animist: 1.3% ๐ฟ
- Other: 0.7% ๐
- None: 1.2% ๐ซ
As you can see, the majority follow Christianity, with Roman Catholics leading the way! Also, Muslims represent a significant part of the population. ๐
Percentage of Roman Catholics
33.1%
Percentage of Muslims
30.6%
Percentage of Protestants
27.1%
Percentage of Other Christians
6.1%
Percentage of Animists
1.3%
Percentage of Other Religions
0.7%
Percentage of People with No Religion
1.2%
Religious Composition of Cameroon (2022)
Languages
๐ Cameroon is a vibrant nation with a mix of languages! It's home to 24 major African language groups! ๐ฃ๏ธ Additionally, it has two official languages: English and French. This diversity in language reflects Cameroonโs rich cultures and history, making it a fascinating place for communication and expression! ๐โจ
Major African Language Groups
24
Official Languages in Cameroon
2
Imports - partners
๐จ๐ฒ Cameroon relies on several countries for its imports, with China leading the pack! In 2022, here's how the imports broke down:
- China: 39% ๐
- France: 8% ๐ซ๐ท
- India: 6% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- Belgium: 4% ๐ง๐ช
- UAE: 4% ๐ฆ๐ช
This means that a big chunk of what Cameroon brings in comes from China!
Let's visualize this data with a pie chart to see how these countries contribute to Cameroon's imports! ๐ฐ
Total Percentage of Top 5 Import Partners
61%
Cameroon's Import Partners in 2022
Population
Cameroon is home to a vibrant population of 30,966,105 people! ๐ That's a large community with diverse cultures and traditions. The country's growth is a wonderful showcase of unity and diversity. ๐
Total Population
30,966,105
Area
๐ Cameroon is a country with a total area of 475,440 sq km! That's a big number! ๐ But did you know that most of that space is land? ๐๏ธ Let's break it down:
- Land Area: 472,710 sq km
- Water Area: 2,730 sq km
It's amazing how much land Cameroon has compared to water! ๐ Let's take a look at the proportions between land and water.
Total Area
475440 sq km
Land Area
472710 sq km
Water Area
2730 sq km
Proportion of Land and Water Area in Cameroon
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฐ Real GDP of Cameroon Over the Years
Cameroon has made some interesting progress in its economy, measured through the Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Hereโs a look at the data for the last three years:
- 2023: $138.925 billion
- 2022: $133.59 billion
- 2021: $128.969 billion
As you can see, the economy has been steadily growing! ๐ Each year, the numbers have gone up, showing that Cameroon is on a positive economic path! Let's visualize this growth in a chart! ๐
Estimated GDP for 2023
$138.925 billion
Estimated GDP for 2022
$133.59 billion
Estimated GDP for 2021
$128.969 billion
Real GDP Growth of Cameroon (2021-2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per Capita in Cameroon ๐ฐ
Cameroonโs Real GDP per capita is looking pretty steady over the last few years! Letโs break it down:
- In 2021, the GDP per capita was $4,700.
- By 2022, it edged up to $4,800.
- And it held steady at $4,800 in 2023.
It's awesome to see stability in these numbers! ๐
Hereโs a quick look at the numbers:
- 2021: $4,700
- 2022: $4,800
- 2023: $4,800
This data showcases Cameroonโs economic growth and stability over the recent years. Letโs visualize this to appreciate the consistency! ๐
GDP per Capita in 2021
$4,700
GDP per Capita in 2022
$4,800
GDP per Capita in 2023
$4,800
Real GDP per Capita Over Time in Cameroon
Imports
๐ฐ Let's dive into the import scene of Cameroon! In 2022, Cameroon imported a whopping $9.759 billion worth of goods! ๐ This was an increase from $9.025 billion in 2021 and $7.212 billion in 2020. ๐ It's clear that Cameroon is stepping up its imports year by year! ๐
Import Value in 2022
$9.759 billion
Import Value in 2021
$9.025 billion
Import Value in 2020
$7.212 billion
Cameroon's Import Trends (2020-2022)
Exports
๐ Let's dive into Cameroon's export data over the years! Hereโs how much money the country earned from exports in billion dollars:
- 2020: $6.124 billion
- 2021: $7.447 billion
- 2022: $8.641 billion
As we can see, the exports are increasing each year, which is great news for Cameroon! It shows a growing economy and more products being sold to other countries. ๐๐ต
Total Exports from 2020 to 2022
$22.212 billion
Increase in Exports from 2020 to 2022
$2.517 billion
Cameroon's Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
Cameroon is experiencing an exciting growth spurt! ๐ The estimated population growth rate for the year 2024 is 2.71%. This means that the number of people living in Cameroon is on the rise, showing a positive trend for the nation's future! ๐๐
Population growth rate (2024 est.)
2.71%