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Click for a map (PDF) © UNICEF www.unicef.org
Cameroon is relatively stable, both economically and politically although political power is kept in the hands of a single ethnic group, headed by President Paul Biya - who has considerable and wide ranging powers and can make decisions without referring to the National Assembly. It is widely believed that elections in Cameroon are not fairly held. Corruption is endemic although there is political will to get rid of it. Cameroon maintains a good infrastructure of roads and railways. Agriculture is well developed as is the oil industry. The literacy rate is currently 79% with little variation between males and females.
Cameroon occupies a vast geographical region with huge disparities in physical terrain and their accompanying climates. It also experiences considerable volcanic and geothermal activity. Crops include bananas, coffee and cocoa in the south and peanuts and cotton in the north. Natural resources in Cameroon include hydroelectricity, iron ore, natural gas and oil, timber and bauxite.
There are 250 different ethnic groups in Cameroon making up a population of 17.3 million. Twenty four major languages are spoken besides the official ones of French and English. The ethnic breakdown is described as: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%. Religious breakdown is believed to be indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%.
Health statistics in Cameroon suggest that much needs to be done in the area of vaccinations and disease eradication. Major diseases include bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, schistosomiasis, meningococcal meningitis, malaria and yellow fever is high risk in some locations. Infant mortality rates are 63.52 in 1000 live births. Life expectancy is 51.16 years. Prevalence of AIDS/HIV in adults was 6.9% in 2003.
This reliable UNICEF site gives background information and health related statistics that could prove especially useful for health care providers who need to determine the health and social history of their clients. Some cultural information can also be deduced relatively easily from the statistical detail. There is an emphasis on children's and women's health due to UNICEF's focus on children. ۞ ۞
This BBC site will give you a brief overview of the current political situation in each country. This may help you to know what political situation your client may have left behind and what their relations are currently living with. It also gives a brief overview of statistics - population, religions, languages, life expectancy and exports. ۞
This site gives you basic facts and a map of each country. It gives basic demographic details that include religion, ethnicities, health risks, mortality rates etc. which may be useful, especially if comparative material is required. A short synopsis of the political situation in the country is included. ۞
This site gives an up to date encyclopaedic account of each country. It covers the history, politics, demographics, economy, languages, regional aspects and culture but it gives virtually no information on health, health seeking practices, or traditional beliefs. ۞
The remainder of British Cameroon was merged with Nigeria.
SPIRASI does not necessarily agree with the facts and opinions presented in this guide or any linked websites.
This Cultural Profiles web-site was designed to be fully compliant with modern standards for web publication (as specified by the W3C). The pages will be accessible and readable on any display using any web browser, old or new.