Cameroon was colonized by Germany in 1884 and later divided between British and French control after World War 1. It gained independence in 1960 and has faced issues with neighboring Nigeria over control of the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula. Currently Cameroon faces security issues from Boko Haram as well as problems with infrastructure, unemployment, corruption and climate change. The official languages are English and French.

1. Cameroon
KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY – KNOW YOUR WORLD
A global education
program of:

2. INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER PROFILE

3. COUNTRY MAP

4. COUNTRY QUICK FACTS
• Full name: Cameroon / Cameroun
• Size: 183,568 mi²
• Population: 22,250,000
• Capital: Yaoundé
• Largest city: Douala (Economic capital)
• Major language: French and English
• Major religions: Christianity and Islam
• Life expectancy: Male: 55.5 / Female: 57.6
• Monetary unit: CFA Francs
• Main exports: Crude oil, petroleum products,
lumber, cocoa, aluminum, coffee and cotton.
• GNI per capita: $1,360 (2014)

5. HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
• 1520 Portuguese set up sugar plantations and began
slave trade in Cameroon
• 1884 Cameroon was colonized by Germany
• 1916 British and French troops force Germans to
leave Cameroon during WW1
• 1919 London Declaration divides Cameroon into French
(80%) and British administrative zones(20%)
• 1960 French Cameroon granted independence and
becomes the Republic of Cameroon under Pdt. Ahidjo
• 1961 After the UN referendum, the (British) Southern
Cameroons joined the Republic of Cameroon to
become the Federal Republic of Cameroon

6. HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Continues…
• 1972 Cameroon became a unitary state following a
national referendum and was renamed the United
Republic of Cameroon.
• 1982 President Ahidjo resigned and was succeeded by
Prime Minister Paul Biya.
• 1986 Discharge of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos kills
about 1,700 people
• 1996 Cameroonian-Nigerian border clashes over Bakassi
• 2002 Ruling by ICJ gives sovereignty of oil-rich Bakassi
peninsula to Cameroon.

7. LANGUAGE: Official languages: English and French
Other common languages: Camfranglais, pidgin English and over 230
native dialects
English French Pidgin English
Hello Bonjour, Salut A salut oh
Bye Au revoir Bye-Bye
Yes Oui Yes
No Non No
Thank you Merci Ah thank you plenty
You’re welcome De rien Come fine oh
Please S'il vous plait, S'il te plaîs Abeg
I love you Je t’aime I like you go pass
How are you? Comment allez-vous, Comment va-tu How u dey?
Nice to meet you Enchanté de faire votre connaissance Ah glad for meet up you
Have a nice day Bonne journée Make ya day go fine
Safe journey Bon voyage Waka fine
Good night Bonne nuit Sleep fine
I miss you Tu me manque Long long time I no see you

8. Government
 LEADER: Paul Biya
 GOVERNMENT: Unitary
Presidential Republic
 VOTING AGE: 18

9. CURRENT EVENTS OR KEY ISSUES
• Security: Boko Haram
Terrorist group insurgency
in Cameroon
• Inadequate infrastructure
• Unemployment
• Corruption & Embezzlement
• Poor medical facilities
• Deforestation and climate
change
• Political tensions

10. ECONOMICS
Major Exports Categories Major Imports Categories
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products Refined mineral fuels, oils, distillation products
Wood, articles of wood, and wood charcoal Boilers, machinery, nuclear reactors
Cocoa and cocoa preparations Vehicles and automobiles
Edible fruit, nuts, peel of citrus fruit, and
melons
Electrical and electronic equipment
Aluminium and articles of aluminium Cereals

11. CURRENCY
One US Dollar = 590.61 CFA Francs

12. EVERYDAY LIVING
• Going to school on Monday
to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm
• Study-Homework
• Play games with friends
• Very few indoor Pets mostly dogs
• Picnics with family, visit
relatives, parks, zoo during weekends
• Going to church on Sunday
• In villages, kids help parents in farming
on weekends

13. GENDER- ROLE OF GIRLS / BOYS –
MEN/WOMEN

14. TRADITIONAL COSTUMES

15. NATIONAL FESTIVALS-HOLIDAYS
EVENTS
• New Year’s Day
• Youth Day February 11
• Good Friday April 03
• Easter Sunday
• Labour Day May 01
• Ascension Day May 14, 2015
• National Day May 20,
• Ramadan July 15, 2015
• Assumption Day August 15, 2015
• Christmas Day December 25

16. MARRIAGES

17. SPORTS
• Soccer
• Canoe Racing
• Swimming
• Tug of War
• Basketball
• Wrestling, boxing
• Cycling
• Handball
• Table Tennis

18. FOOD

19. TRADITIONAL DANCE
• Maley (Elephant dance)
• Bameleke dance
• Motiyo

20. What have you learned that
was most surprising or
interesting ?