 LANDMARKS
Official name:
Republic of Cameroon
Surface:
475 500 km2
Flag:
Three vertical stripes of green,
red and yellow, charged with one
gold star in the centre of the red stripe
National Anthem:
“O Cameroon Cradle of our Forefathers”
Motto:
Peace-Work-Fatherland
Capital:
Yaoundé
Major Cities:
Yaoundé, Douala, Bafoussam, Nkongsamba,
Maroua, Garoua
Population:
15,5 million inhabitants.
According to demographers, the country will count about 20 million inhabitants in the year 2020. The population is relatively young (45% are less than 15 years). The urban population: 46,4% in 1997. Life expectancy (1997) was 53 years for men and 56 years for women
Bilingualism:
French/ English
Religions:
Christians (33%) mostly in the South ; Muslims (15%) mostly in the North. Faithfuls of traditional religions can be found throughout the notional territory.
Currency:
African Financial Community franc (CFA)
Origin of the nomination of Cameroon:
It originates from “Rio Dos Camaroes” a name given to the Wouri mouth, in the 15th century by the Portuguese who have been impressed by the enormous quantity of crawfish found in that river. The whole expression meaning “River of crawfish“ became the name of the country as a whole. |
Main ethnic groups:
The Bantus: Fang, Ewondo, Bulu, Eton, Douala, Bassa, Bakweri
The semi-Bantus: Tikar, Bamoun, Bamileke
The Sudanese: Kapsiki, Matakam, Mousgoum, Toupouri, Boum
The Hamites: Foulbes, Bororo
The Semites: Choa, Arabs
The country has more than 200 ethnic groups.
Official feast days:
The 1st of January (independence Day)
11th February (youth Day)
1st May (Labour Day)
20th May (Reunification)
Religious feasts:
Good Friday, Easter, Ramadan, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Feast of the Ram, Christmas.
Traditional Feasts:
The Ngouon (Bamoun people)
The Do (Baya people)
Coffee (Nkongsamba)
The Ram (Nyem Nyem)
The Ngondo (Sawa people)
Ekang (Ntumu people)
|
