Cameroon is located in the Hinge of Africa, where West meets Central. It is bordered by Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The name Cameroon dates back to 1472 when the Portuguese settlers discovered the abundance of shrimp in the Wouri River, which runs through Cameroon. They named it the Rio dos Cameroes (River of Shrimp?). Dutch, and later German, settlers followed the Portuguese. During the first World War, the Germans were ousted from Cameroon and the French and British partitioned the colony. The east (80 percent of the country) went to the French, and the west (20 percent) went to the British. As with other African countries, increased nationalism after WWII led to the independence of Cameroon in 1961.
Cameroon is divided into 10 provinces, 8 are Francophone (French speaking) and 2 are Anglophone (English speaking). They have an elected president, Paul Biya, who is currently serving his 26th year in office. He is up for reelection in 2011 (I think).
The current population, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about 18 million. The people of Cameroon are as diverse as all of Africa. There are approximately 300 ethnic groups of Banto, Sudanese and Arab origins. There are over 230 languages spoken throughout the country, in addition to French, English and Pidgin. About 20 percent of the population is Muslim, 30 percent Christian, and 50 percent practice one of the many other religions of Cameroon.
The diverse population and environment of Cameroon have given it the nickname “Africa in Miniature”, or “the Little Africa”. There are deserts, rain forest, grassland plateau, mountains and tropical beaches.
There is so much more to Cameroon, but I don’t have the time or patience to sit inside on this beautiful day and write more. Check out some books at your local library for more information (and by that I mean look it up on the internet). Any questions?
Cameroon is divided into 10 provinces, 8 are Francophone (French speaking) and 2 are Anglophone (English speaking). They have an elected president, Paul Biya, who is currently serving his 26th year in office. He is up for reelection in 2011 (I think).
The current population, according to the CIA World Factbook, is about 18 million. The people of Cameroon are as diverse as all of Africa. There are approximately 300 ethnic groups of Banto, Sudanese and Arab origins. There are over 230 languages spoken throughout the country, in addition to French, English and Pidgin. About 20 percent of the population is Muslim, 30 percent Christian, and 50 percent practice one of the many other religions of Cameroon.
The diverse population and environment of Cameroon have given it the nickname “Africa in Miniature”, or “the Little Africa”. There are deserts, rain forest, grassland plateau, mountains and tropical beaches.
There is so much more to Cameroon, but I don’t have the time or patience to sit inside on this beautiful day and write more. Check out some books at your local library for more information (and by that I mean look it up on the internet). Any questions?
4 comments:
Hi Jessie. Thanks for the info, keep it coming
-mom
when does Brian write something??
still waiting for Brian to write something
Hey guys. Congratulation for all that!! That's gone be such a great adventure such a change in your life! I am sure you re gone love it.African peaople are known to be so welcoming you gone learn so much. Knowing that, I would have teached you some French when I was living in Jefferson!!!!
keep updating that blog so that I can virtually follow you !!
Laura
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