LocationCentral Africa.
Area465,458 sq km (179,714 sq miles).
Population16.6 million (2005).
Population Density35.6 per sq km (2005).
CapitalYaoundé (constitutional).
Population: 1.4 million (2004). Douala (economic).
Population: 2 million (2005).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence in 1961.
LanguageThe official languages are French and English. They are given equal importance in the Constitution but French is the more commonly spoken. Spanish is spoken in
some urban centers. Pidgin English is widely spoken, particularly in coastal areas. Around 250 different African languages are also spoken.
ReligionThe majority of the population hold Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) or traditional animist beliefs. The sizeable remainder are followers of Islam.
TimeGMT + 1
Electricity110/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are round two-pin; bayonet light-fittings are used.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Ephraim Inoni since 2004.
Head of StatePresident Paul Biya since 1982.
TelephoneCountry code: 237. International calls can be made from
CAMTEL offices. Telephones can usually be found in post offices and restaurants, and there are telephone booths in the towns. Phonecards are available. The main towns in Cameroon are linked by automatic dialing, although this service is often unreliable.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with a number of international mobile phone companies. Coverage is patchy but better in the south.
InternetAvailable in main towns, which have Internet cafes. Charges are significantly higher outside Yaoundé and Douala.
MediaMedia is highly government controlled. However, Cameroon’s first private TV station was launched in 2001. This followed a general liberalization of media in 2000, and a spate of private stations also emerged around this time. Nevertheless, libel laws inhibit journalists and some have even been jailed in the past. This is regarded as a genuine problem by the international community, who believe that Cameroon is becoming one of the most repressive countries worldwide in regards to freedom of expression.
PostStamps can only be obtained from post offices.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530.
Press• The main newspaper is the government-controlled
Cameroon Tribune, published daily in French and English.
• Other English-language newspapers include
The Post (weekly) and
The Herald (three times a week).
• Privately-run French-language papers include
Le Massager, Mutations (daily) and
La Nouvelle Expression.
Radio•
Cameroon Radio Television also operates state-run radio stations.
•
Radio Reine is a Catholic-owned station.
•
Radio Siantou is a private broadcaster.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Feb Youth Day.
20 Jan Hijra (Islamic New Year)
31 Mar Eid Milad Nabi (Prophet’s Anniversary).
6-9 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
17 May Ascension.
20 May National Day.
21 May Sheep Festival.
11 August Ascension of the Prophet.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Oct Unification Day.
13 Oct Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan).
20 Dec Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
11 Feb Youth Day.
10 Jan Hijra (Islamic New Year)
20 Mar Eid Milad Nabi (Prophet’s Anniversary).
21-24 Apr Easter.
1 May Labor Day.
1 May Ascension.
20 May National Day.
21 May Sheep Festival.
30 July Ascension of the Prophet
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Oct Unification Day.
2 Oct Djoulde Soumae (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas.
NoteMuslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that ends with Djoulde Soumae (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Djoulde Soumae itself. Djoulde Soumae may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Contact Information:Ministère du TourismeBP 266, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel: 224 4411.
Website:
www.tourisme.cm Cameroon High Commission in the UK84 Holland Park, London W11 3SB, UK
Tel: (020) 7727 0771.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600; 0930-1230 (visa applications).
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon in the USA2349 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 265 8790.
Website:
www.ambacam-usa.org
Next Page »