Cameroon in Africa and in the World Roughly presented by Martin Le Doux Mbele Bidima CEU, Maths Dept, after my Seminar on Financial Maths, 09/01/09 E-mail: bidima2005@gmail.com Cameroon is a nice country located in Central Africa as shown on the maps below: Flag Motto: “Peace – Work – Fatherland” Area: 475 442 Km2 Population: 20 millions Capital: Yaounde Main Cities: Douala, Yaounde, Garoua, etc
Cameroon History - How did the word “Cameroon” come from? In 1472, Portuguese explorers reach the atlantic coast, in the gulf of Guinea (see map above). They noted abundance of prawns in the Wouri river, a big river flowing from the land to the sea. They called it “Rio dos Camaroes”. Germans arrived in the coast in 1884 to colonize it and its back area; they chose to called it just “Kamerun” (in German). During the first World war, there was also a big war battle in Kamerun. After British and French defeated Germans, they divided the country in two parts calling them respectively “Western Cameroon” and “Cameroun oriental”, as they ruled them seperately till the independence period. Note: So Cameroon exists as a country since about 7 centuries ago! Independence day: 1 st January 1960. The two Cameroon unified in 1972 into a “United Republic of Cameroon”. In 1984 the country started being called just “Republic of Cameroon”. Politics: Democratic regime since 1992 Economy: Not too good and not too bad! We are a developing country ranked just behind current emerging powers such as South Africa, Brazil, Spain, etc Natural Resources: Oil, Wood, etc Note: We have the second largest forest reserve in the world after the Amazonian forest in Brazil! So, the whole World counts on Cameroon for environment protection! Ethnic groups and languages: - More than 200 ethnic groups: the main are Beti, Sawa, Bamileke, Ahussa, Bamun, the Pigmies (1 st inhabitants of Cameroon, live in the forest). For e. g., I am myself Beti! - These correspond to more than 200 different local languages - So, early authorities adopted English and French as the two official languages Religions: Christian Roman Catholic, Islam, other Christians, etc Sports/Foot-ball: We have one of the best African football teams of all times which is ranked among the world's 15 top almost every year! Football in Cameroon is said to be “another religion!” as it also unifies the country!
Some Views of Cameroon Yaounde: Central lake show Yaounde: Prime Ministry (left), Ministry of High Education (center, white color)
Douala: Commercial Port (on the atlantic ocean coast) Yaounde again: Presidency of the Republic offices “in the garden!”
Northern Cameroon: medium daily life The Pigmies' life in the forest: proud of keep living in their natural/primitive state!
Indomitable Lions (national footbal team) in World cup 1882, in Spain World cup 1990, Italy; ranked 5 th World best team! African cups 2000 and 2002 (wining team) Roger Milla (in Italy, 1990): - the best African football player of all times - and among the World's 10 best players of the history! - Currently Cameroon's Ambassador in Football. Thanks for your kind attention and happy new year 2009!
Recommend
More recommend
