Cameroon is located in Central Africa, at the far end of the Gulf of Guinea.

It borders Chad to the north, the Central African Republic to the east, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to the south, and Nigeria to the west.

Cameroon has several major cities, including YAOUNDE, the political capital, with nearly 2 million inhabitants, DOUALA, the economic capital, with more than two million inhabitants.

They are followed by cities such as GAROUA, BAFOUSSAM, MAROUA, BAMENDA, … which are major urban centres.

POPULATION

Cameroon has 240 ethnic groups, divided into three main groups (Bantu, Semi-Bantu, Sudanese), corresponding to 240 national languages.
The most representative ethnic groups are:

  • Bantu: Beti, Bassa, Bakundu, Maka, Douala, Pygmies…
  • Semi-Bantu: Bamileke, Gbaya, Bamoun, Tikar…
  • Sudanese: Fulbe, Mafa, Tupuri, Shuwa Arabs, Mundang, Massa, Musgum…

LANGUAGES

French and English are the official languages, spoken by 70% and 30% of the population respectively. Spanish and German are also known by many city dwellers.

RELIGIONS

Cameroon is a secular state.
Two main religions are practised: Christianity and Islam. Animism is also practised by many people.

HOLIDAYS

Religious holidays:
Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption, Christmas, end of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha.

Public holidays:
New Year’s Day, Youth Day (11 February), Labour Day (1 May), National Day (20 May).

TOURIST SEASON

Apart from sport hunting, practised in the north of the country from November to May, the tourist season runs all year round and visitors can come to Cameroon at any time.

Climate and weather: good and bad seasons

The dry season runs from November to April.

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES: 23 to 31°C in January and 21 to 35°C in July.

Country ISO code: CM

Time zone: +1