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 movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy.

Head of State: H.E. President Paul Biya (1982)

Head of government: Prime Minister Philemon YANG (since 30 June 2009)

Capital: Yaounde

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Independence: 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Population: 20,549,221 (July 2013 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.04% (2013 est.)
Nationality: noun: noun: Cameroonian(s) adjective: Cameroonian

Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Currency: Franc (CFA)