Discover Fascinating Cameroon Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Cameroon.

Cameroon

Background

Cameroon ๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿ‘ซ๐Ÿค 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 ๐Ÿšง, railways ๐Ÿš†, and a booming petroleum industry ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ have all developed, allowing the country to flourish in agriculture ๐ŸŒพ as well! It's a great example of how unity can lead to progress!

Exports - commodities

Cameroon is rich in natural resources! ๐ŸŒ In 2022, the country's exports included a variety of interesting commodities. Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿซ
  • Gold: A shiny treasure that is sought after by many.

These commodities play a vital role in France's economy and international trade! ๐ŸŒŸ

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! ๐ŸŒ Here's a fun breakdown of where Cameroon's exports go:

  • Netherlands: 19% ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
  • France: 15% ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • India: 14% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Spain: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • China: 8% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

These numbers show how important international trade is for Cameroon and how different countries play a role in its export activities! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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! ๐ŸŒ Itโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ™๏ธ๐ŸŒฟ

Imports - commodities

Cameroon imports a variety of important commodities that help fuel its economy and support its population! ๐ŸŒพ Here are some key imports for 2022:

  • Refined Petroleum: A vital resource for energy needs ๐Ÿ”‹
  • Wheat: An essential food commodity ๐Ÿž
  • Garments: Clothing materials for the fashion industry ๐Ÿ‘—
  • Rice: A staple food for many households ๐Ÿš
  • Plastic Products: Useful for packaging and various industries ๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐ŸŒ 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, youโ€™ll 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! ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ–๏ธ

Executive branch

In Cameroon, the Executive branch is led by two important figures! ๐ŸŒŸ The Chief of State is President Paul BIYA, who has held this position since November 6, 1982! That's over 41 years of leadership! ๐Ÿ—“๏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! ๐Ÿ“… 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! ๐Ÿฆธโ€โ™‚๏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! ๐Ÿ“œโœจ

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

๐ŸŒ 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! โšก๏ธ

These resources are not just important for Cameroon, but they also contribute significantly to the global market! ๐ŸŒ

Key Natural Resources in Cameroon

Petroleum, Bauxite, Iron Ore, Timber, Hydropower

Economic overview

Cameroon is the largest economy in the CEMAC region! ๐ŸŽ‰ This vibrant country is blessed with many natural resources ๐ŸŒฟ, but it faces some challenges. Recent issues like political instability ๐Ÿšซ and terrorism ๐Ÿ˜ฑ 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! ๐ŸŒŸ

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! ๐ŸŽ‰ 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. ๐Ÿค”โœจ

Ethnic groups

Cameroon is a colorful mix of different ethnic groups! ๐ŸŒ Check out the variety of cultures that make up this beautiful country:

  • Bamileke-Bamu: 22.2% ๐ŸŒฟ
  • Biu-Mandara: 16.4% ๐ŸŒ„
  • Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri: 13.5% ๐ŸŒ™
  • Beti/Bassa, Mbam: 13.1% ๐Ÿž๏ธ
  • Grassfields: 9.9% ๐Ÿ”๏ธ
  • Adamawa-Ubangi: 9.8% ๐ŸŒพ
  • Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko: 4.6% ๐ŸŒŠ
  • Southwestern Bantu: 4.3% ๐ŸŽถ
  • Kako/Meka: 2.3% ๐ŸŽจ
  • Foreign/Other Ethnic Group: 3.8% ๐ŸŒŽ

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! ๐Ÿ“Š

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! ๐ŸŒ Hereโ€™s a breakdown of the major religions based on the 2022 estimates:

  • Roman Catholic: 33.1% โ˜ฆ๏ธ
  • Muslim: 30.6% โ˜ช๏ธ
  • Protestant: 27.1% โœ๏ธ
  • Other Christian: 6.1% ๐Ÿ™
  • Animist: 1.3% ๐ŸŒฟ
  • Other: 0.7% ๐ŸŒˆ
  • None: 1.2% ๐Ÿšซ

As you can see, the majority follow Christianity, with Roman Catholics leading the way! Also, Muslims represent a significant part of the population. ๐ŸŒŸ

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

๐ŸŒ Cameroon is a vibrant nation with a mix of languages! It's home to 24 major African language groups! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Additionally, it has two official languages: English and French. This diversity in language reflects Cameroonโ€™s rich cultures and history, making it a fascinating place for communication and expression! ๐Ÿ“šโœจ

Major African Language Groups

24

Official Languages in Cameroon

2

Imports - partners

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฒ Cameroon relies on several countries for its imports, with China leading the pack! In 2022, here's how the imports broke down:

  • China: 39% ๐Ÿ‰
  • France: 8% ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • India: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • Belgium: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช
  • UAE: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช

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! ๐Ÿฐ

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! ๐ŸŒ That's a large community with diverse cultures and traditions. The country's growth is a wonderful showcase of unity and diversity. ๐ŸŒˆ

Total Population

30,966,105

Area

๐ŸŒ Cameroon is a country with a total area of 475,440 sq km! That's a big number! ๐Ÿ“ But did you know that most of that space is land? ๐Ÿž๏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! ๐ŸŒŠ 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)

๐Ÿ’ฐ Real GDP of Cameroon Over the Years

Cameroon has made some interesting progress in its economy, measured through the Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Each year, the numbers have gone up, showing that Cameroon is on a positive economic path! Let's visualize this growth in a chart! ๐Ÿ“Š

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 ๐Ÿ’ฐ

Cameroonโ€™s Real GDP per capita is looking pretty steady over the last few years! Letโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Hereโ€™s a quick look at the numbers:

  • 2021: $4,700
  • 2022: $4,800
  • 2023: $4,800

This data showcases Cameroonโ€™s economic growth and stability over the recent years. Letโ€™s visualize this to appreciate the consistency! ๐ŸŽ‰

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

๐Ÿ’ฐ Let's dive into the import scene of Cameroon! In 2022, Cameroon imported a whopping $9.759 billion worth of goods! ๐Ÿ“ˆ This was an increase from $9.025 billion in 2021 and $7.212 billion in 2020. ๐Ÿ“Š It's clear that Cameroon is stepping up its imports year by year! ๐ŸŒ

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

๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's dive into Cameroon's export data over the years! Hereโ€™s 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. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ต

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! ๐Ÿš€ 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Population growth rate (2024 est.)

2.71%