Cameroon,
republic in western Africa, bounded on the north by Lake Chad; on the east by Chad and the Central
African Republic; on the south by the Republic of the Congo, Gabon,
and Equatorial Guinea; and
on the west by the Bight of Biafra (an arm of the Atlantic Ocean) and Nigeria. The
country is shaped like an elongated triangle, and forms a bridge between
western Africa and central Africa. The country
has a total area of 475,442 sq km (183,569 sq mi). Yaoundé is the capital, and Douala is the largest
city.
LAND AND RESOURCES Cameroon has
four distinct topographical regions. In the south is a coastal plain, a region
of dense equatorial rain forests. In the center is the Adamawa Plateau, a
region with elevations reaching about 1370 m (about 4500 ft) above sea level.
This is a transitional area where forest gives way in the north to savanna
country. In the far north the savanna gradually slopes into the marshland
surrounding Lake Chad. In the west is an area
of high, forested mountains of volcanic origin. Located here is Cameroon Mountain
(4095 m/13,435 ft), the highest peak in western Africa
and an active volcano. The country's most fertile soils are found in this
region. Among the principal streams, the Sanaga and Nyong rivers flow generally
west to the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mbéré and Logone rivers flow north from the
central plateau into Lake Chad. A network of
rivers in the Chad Basin, including the Benue
River, links the country with the vast
Niger River system to the east and north.
Plants and Animals Cameroon's
valuable rain forests contain a number of species of trees, including oil
palms, bamboo palms, mahogany, teak, ebony, and rubber. Wildlife is diverse and
abundant and includes monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, antelope, lions, and
elephants, as well as numerous species of birds and snakes.
Natural Resources The
economy of Cameroon
is dependent primarily on its agricultural and timber resources, although
receipts from petroleum reserves constitute a primary source of government
revenue. High-yield deposits of bauxite exist in northern Cameroon. A
significant reserve of natural gas is found near Douala, but it remains
unexploited. A small amount of gold is mined. Hydroelectric potential is
significant; the largest power station is at Edéa, on the Sanaga River.
Agriculture The
principal commercial crops in Cameroon are cacao, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and
bananas. In 1997 production of cacao and coffee, the leading agricultural
export commodities, was 120,000 metric tons for the former and 60,000 metric
tons for the latter. Other commercial products include rubber, palm products,
and sugarcane. Subsistence crops include plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava,
corn, and millet.
Livestock raising is important in the Adamawa
Plateau region. In 1997 the livestock population included 4.9 million head of
cattle, 3.8 million goats, 3.8 million million sheep, and 1.4 million pigs.
Forestry and Fishing Timber
is traditionally one of Cameroon's most valuable exports, consisting mainly of
mahogany, ebony, and teak. The timber cut in 1995 amounted to 15.7 million cu m
(555 million cu ft). Fishing is dominated by freshwater subsistence activity.
However, deep-sea fishing activity is increasing, especially from the port of
Douala. Some 80,000 metric tons of fish are caught annually.
Mining and Manufacturing One of
the largest single industrial enterprises in Cameroon is the aluminum smelting
plant at Edéa, which produces 92,000 metric tons annually from imported
bauxite. The processing of agricultural products, however, dominates industrial
activity; other manufactures include textiles, fertilizers, and cement.
Offshore petroleum exploitation began in the late 1970s, and an oil refinery
has been built on the coast at Limboh Point. Cameroon's output of crude
petroleum, mostly for export, was 34 million barrels in 1996. Small amounts of
gold and tin concentrates are also produced.
