History

Cameroon’s modern-day history dates back to the early 1400s, when Portuguese explorers became the first Europeans to reach the area. Seeking a share of the slave trade profits, many Europeans began migrating to the region around the late 1700s and early 1800s, eventually causing a struggle for powerbetween Germany, England, and France. Germany came out on top when it signed a treaty with two local chiefs that split control between the locals in Douala and the Germans.

During World War II, Germany lost control of the country to England and France, which divided the country into two parts. The British called its portion of the country British Cameroons, and the French called the rest of the country French Cameroun; each region spoke the language of its colonizing ruler. It wasn’t until 1946 that both England and France vowed to restore independence one day to the native inhabitants of Cameroon.

In the early 1960s, political life changed in Cameroon. French Cameroun became known as the Republic of Cameroon, and British Cameroon had split into two parts. Those living in British Cameroon had the choice to join either with the recently independent Republic of Cameroon or with their neighboring country Nigeria. The northern section decided to join Nigeria, while the southerners joined the republic. From October 1961, when these unions took place, the country was known as West Cameroon and East Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution joined the two states and formed the Republic of Cameroon as we know it today.

The Top 10: What to Do in Cameroon

1. Cameroon is bordered to the northwest by Nigeria, to the northeast by Chad, to the east by the Central African Republic, to the south by the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon, and to the southwest by nearly 250 miles (402 kilometers) of coastline along the Bight of Biafra.
 
2. The most prevalent religions in Cameroon are Christianity, Islam, and indigenous faiths.
 
3. French and English are the official languages of Cameroon. Several native languages are spoken as well.
 
4. The country is broken up into ten regions: Adamaoua, Centre, East, Extrême-Nord (Extreme North), Littoral, North, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest.
 
5. The official currency of Cameroon is the Communauté Financière Africaine franc (CFA). One CFA is equivalent to 100 centimes. Credit and debit cards are accepted in some airports and larger hotels. We’ve noticed that Visa is the credit card most commonly used. ATMs are readily found in cities and towns; you might be charged extra by shop owners if you use a traveler’s check.

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