Population
16 million (2003); 24.9 million (2050)
Ethnic group
Predominantly Bamileke in southern Cameroon and Fulani and Choa to the north.
Religion
About 53 percent Christians, mainly Roman Catholic mainly in southern Cameroon; 22 percent Moslem; about 25 percent traditional or animist religious beliefs.
Climate
Wet season in north between April-September, rest of year dry; rainfall in south throughout year with pattern of two wet and two dry seasons.
Currency
Franc
Time zone
GMT+1
Public holidays
2003 : Jan 1, Feb 11, 12*, April 18, 21, May 1, 20, 29, August 15, Nov 26*, Dec 25.2004 : Jan 1, Feb 2*, 11, April 9, 12, May 1, 20, August 15, Nov 14*, Dec 25.*Dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar and may vary by one or two days from dates given.
Electricity
110/220V AC 50Hz
Travel rules
Passport required; Visas required, except for nationals of some African countries.
Driving
Right hand side; International Driver's Permit required.
Health rules
Yellow fever certificate required; hepatitis A, polio, tetanus, typhoid immunisation recommended; malaria exists all year round.
Source: Europa World Year Book 2003; UNFPA State of World Population 2003
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
Infant mortality
96 per 1,000 live births (2001)
Maternal mortality
430 per 100,000 live births (1985-2001)
Life expectancy
46.6 years men, 49.4 years women (2001)
Illiteracy
20.1 percent men, 34.9 percent women (age 15 and above, 2001)
Access to basic care
50-79 percent (population with sustainable access to affordable essential drugs, 1999)
Access to safe water
58 percent (population with sustainable access to an improved water source, 2000)
Human development index value
0.499 (2001)
Source: UNDP The Human Development Report 2003
MILITARY STATISTICS
Armed forces
An estimated 23,100 active forces, (including Gendarmerie).
Army
12,500 troops with 14 air infantry fighting vehicles, 32 armoured personnel carriers and 49 anti-tank-guided weapons.
Navy
An estimated 1,300 forces; The navy operates two coastal patrol craft and nine inshore patrol boats.
Air force
300 troops with 15 combat aircraft and four armed helicopters.
Source: The Military Balance, 2003/2004, IISS
COMMUNICATIONS
Civil aviation
There are international airports at Garoua, Yaoundé and Doula, situated 10 kms South East of Douala. In addition, there are 11 domestic airports as well as a number of secondary airfields throughout the country.
Railways
There is a total of 1,104 km of track with a west line connecting Douala to Nkongsamba and a southwest branch line running from Mbanga to Kumba. In July 2002 the World Bank distributed a 15,000 million francs loan to Cameroon to rehabilitates its railway main lines.
Roads
In 1999, there were 49,300 km of roads, of which about 4,100 km were paved.
Telecomms
In 2001 there were 101,400 telephone main lines being used, 310,000 mobile cellular phones, 60,000 personal computers and 45,000 Internet users. There were 520,000 television receivers being used in 2000.
Source: Europa World Year Book 2003
