Cameroon

National name: République du Cameroun

Government
After a 1972 plebiscite, a unitary republic was formed out of East and West Cameroon to replace the former federal republic.

Geography
Cameroon is a Central African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Historical Background
The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy headed by President Paul BIYA.

Capital

Yaoundé

Government

Republic
 -  President Paul Biya
 -  Prime Minister Philémon Yang

Language

French and English

Religion

Christians

Area

Total 475,442 km2 (53rd) 183,568 sq mi 

Population

July 2009 estimate 19.1 million people [1] (58th) 2003 census 15,746,179 Density 39.7/km2 (167th) 102,8/sq mi

Currency

Central African CFA franc (XAF)

National Day

20 May

GDP

2009 estimate Total $42.778 billion