Cameroon
Africa
29,442,327
14:29 UTC+1
+237
Location
Geography
Economy
Main exports
Cameroon's leading export commodities and products.
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Main imports
Cameroon's leading import commodities and products.
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Military
Historical Timeline
3000 BCE
Settlement by Bantu and Sao peoples
Bantu-speaking peoples begin migrating into the region, eventually establishing complex societies including the Sao civilization near Lake Chad.
1472
Portuguese arrival on the coast
Portuguese explorers led by Fernão do Pó arrive at the Wouri River estuary, naming it Rio dos Camarões, the source of the modern country's name.
1884
German colonization of Kamerun
Germany establishes the protectorate of Kamerun following the signing of treaties between German explorers and local Duala chiefs.
1916
Anglo-French partition of Cameroon
Following the defeat of German forces during World War I, the territory is partitioned into British and French mandates by the League of Nations.
1960
Independence of French Cameroon
The French-administered territory of Cameroon gains independence from France on January 1, becoming the Republic of Cameroon.
1961
Unification of British and French regions
The Southern Cameroons, formerly under British administration, vote to join the Republic of Cameroon, forming a federal republic.
1972
Abolition of the federal system
President Ahmadou Ahidjo initiates a constitutional referendum that replaces the federal system with a unitary state, consolidating central power.
1982
Accession of Paul Biya to presidency
President Ahmadou Ahidjo resigns and is succeeded by Paul Biya, who continues to lead the nation into the 21st century.
1990
Return to multi-party democracy
Facing mounting domestic pressure, the government legalizes opposition political parties, marking a shift toward a multi-party electoral system.
2008
Bakassi Peninsula border dispute resolution
Cameroon officially assumes full sovereignty over the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula following a peaceful handover mandated by the International Court of Justice.
2014
Escalation of conflict with Boko Haram
Cameroon increases its military engagement in the Far North region to combat the insurgent activities of the extremist group Boko Haram.
2017
Outbreak of the Anglophone Crisis
Violent separatist movements intensify in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, leading to a prolonged armed conflict with government forces.
National Holidays
This day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year and is observed as a public holiday throughout Cameroon.
This day commemorates the 1961 referendum where the Southern Cameroons voted to join the Republic of Cameroon, now serving to celebrate the country's youth.
Observed globally as International Workers' Day, this holiday honors the achievements of workers and the labor movement in Cameroon.
This is the most significant national holiday, commemorating the 1972 referendum that resulted in the transition from a federal state to a unitary state.
A major religious holiday in Cameroon commemorating the bodily ascension of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.
A national holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated by a large portion of the Cameroonian population.
Language
Counting to 10
1
1
= 10 (n = 0)
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