Cameroon is located in Central Africa, neighboring Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea. It is 475, 442 square kilometers. Its coastline lies on part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. The largest cities are Douala and Yaoundé. Cameroon is home to approximately 22.25 million people. The official languages are English and French, however there are hundreds of dialect spoken throughout the country. Cameroon is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups which are grouped into five major geographic divisions. The divisions are based on the dominant physical, climatic, and vegetative assets. There are also a number of traditions, beliefs, practices, and religions present.
Geographically, Cameroon is just as diverse; ranging from coastal plains in the southwest, to dissected plateau in the center, to mountainous in the west, to flat plains in the north. The climate throughout the country is humid subtropical. The natural features in Cameroon include beaches, deserts, mountains, rainforests, and savannas. The coastal plains spans 15 to 50 kilometers inward from the Gulf of Guinea and has an average elevation of about 90 meters. The coastal plains tend to have a hot, humid yet short dry season, to complement its dense and wet forests.
The chain of mountains, hills, and plateaus, known as the Cameroon range, extends from Mount Cameroon on the coast to almost Lake Chad, at the northern border. Mount Cameroon is Cameroon’s highest point, which stands 4,040 meters high. Mount Cameroon is a volcano, which was last active on August 21, 1986. The Cameroon range has a more mild climate and high rainfall. The soil in this region is among the most fertile in the country, especially surrounding Mount Cameroon. The southern plateau rises north into the grassy Adamawa Plateau. This region expands from the western mountainous area and forms a borders between the north and south areas of the country. The average elevation for this region is about 1,100 kilometers and its average temperature is about 23 degrees Celsius with heavy rainfall between April and October peaking in July and August. The northward lowland region spans from the edge of the Adamawa to Lake Chad, with an average elevation of 325 meters. Its primary vegetation is savanna scrub and grass. This area is arid with sporadic rainfall and high median temperatures. The diversity in terrain and climate promotes varied agricultural and economic activities.
Cameroon is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas, high value timber species, and minerals. It is also endowed with flourishing agricultural products. For instance, coffee, cocoa, maize, plantain, cassava, bananas, mangoes, etc. There are plentiful rivers, which form four major drainage plans. In the south, the main rivers are the Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and Wouri. These southern rivers flow southwestward or westward directly to the Gulf of Guinea. The Kadéï and Dja rivers flow westward into the Congo River. Towards the north, the Bénoué River flows north and west and drains into Niger. The Logone River runs northward into Lake Chad. Bountiful, booming and thriving, Cameroon is beautiful from its lush vegetation to its endless flatlands to its sandy coastline.
Rhumiski Peak in Cameroon’s Far North Province.
Mount Cameroon
Lake Chad in Cameroon