Flag of Cameroon

Flag of Cameroon

  • Officially » République du Cameroun (French)
    • Republic of Cameroon (English)
    • Renndaandi Kamerun (Fula)
  • Capital » Yaounde

Facts

  • Population » 23.5 million
  • Languages » French, English, languages of Bantu, Semi-Bantu and Sudanic groups
  • Religions » Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
  • Life expectancy » 56 years (men), 59 years (women)
  • Currency » Communauté Financière Africaine (BCEAO), Franc (XOF – CFA)

Geography

Map of Cameroon

Map of Cameroon (Source » France)

Maps

Notes

  • The Central African country has one of the highest literacy rates on the continent
  • Its economic progress has been hampered by corruption and decades of authoritarian rule

Climate

  • The south along the coast is hot and dry November-February. The main rainy season is June-October.
  • On the Adamaoua Plateau, temperatures drop sharply at night; the rainy season is May-October.
  • Grassland areas inland are much cooler than the coast with regular rainfall. The best months to visit are January- April.

Britannica » Along the coast, the rainy season lasts from April to November, and the relatively dry season lasts from December to March; a transition period from March to April is marked by violent winds. The mean annual precipitation level of more than 100 inches (2,500 mm) occurs in about 150 days. In the central plateau region, precipitation decreases to about 60 inches (1,500 mm). There are four seasons—a light rainy season from May to June, a short dry season from July to October, a heavy rainy season from October to November, and a long dry season from December to May. The north, however, has a dry season only from October to May and an average annual precipitation level of about 30 inches (750 mm). The wettest part of the country lies in the western highlands. Debundscha Point on Mount Cameroon has a mean annual precipitation level of more than 400 inches (10,000 mm)—an average rarely attained elsewhere in the world—most of which falls from May to October.

Tourism

  • Marienburg Chimpanzees Sanctuary (Controversial)

Overlanding

  • Roads in Nigeria and Cameroon are very difficult during the rainy seasons.

Safety & Security

  • Risk to travellers is very high, particularly in the north region due to threats from terrorism, kidnapping and armed banditry. Risks also high in the Bakassi peninsula region and within 40 kilometres of the borders with the Central African Republic, Chad and Nigeria’s Adamawa state. Armed bandits are known to operate in these areas and there is the potential for cross border attacks and kidnappings.
  • International Crisis Group

Government Advisories

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