Cameroon
General Information for Cameroon
Geo-political:
Capital City: Yaounde. 03° 52.00′ N, 011° 31.00′ E
Nationality: (noun) Cameroonian(s), (adjective) Cameroonian.
Population: 27,744,989 (July 2020).
Communications:
International Direct Dial Code: 237.
Number of Internal Airports: 33 (2013).
Major Languages Spoken: Major African language groups 24%, English (official) and French (official).
Economy:
Currency: 1 CFA Franc BEAC (XAF) of 100 Centimes.
Exchange Rates:
(as of November 2020)
USD 1.00 = XAF 563.46
Exchange rates under licence from
XE.com
Main Industries: Petroleum production, refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer
goods, textiles, lumber and ship repair.
Agricultural Products: Coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, cassava, manioc, tapioca,
livestock and timber.
Imports: Machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel and food.
Exports: Crude oil, petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee and cotton.
Commodities: Crude: Production 69,000 bbl/d. Exports 96,370 bbl/d. Imports 36,480 bbl/d. Reserves 200,000,000 bbl.
Products: Production 39,080 bbl/d. Exports 8,545 bbl/d. Imports 14,090 bbl/d. LNG: Production 910,400,000 cu.m..
Reserves 135,100,000,000 cu.m..
Environment:
Territorial Sea: 12 n.m.
Contiguous Zone: Contiguous Zone: 24 n.m.
Coastline Extent: 402 km.
Climate: Varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber and hydropower.
Natural Hazards: Volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake
Monoun volcanoes and Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most
frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released
fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986.
Terrain: Diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in
west, plains in north.
Average Temperatures:
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29° C | 19° C |
| June | 27° C | 19° C |
| September | 27° C | 19° C |
POLLUTION:
Pollution incidents should be reported to Office National des Ports du Cameroon -
(ONPC). T: +237 420133. F: +237 426797.
MEDICAL:
Medical facilities in Cameroon are poor. Emergency facilities are extremely limited.
For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Europe or South Africa will be
necessary. Make sure you have adequate health insurance and accessible funds to cover
the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
There is a risk of Zika virus transmission in Cameroon.
In May 2016, the Cameroon Ministry of Livestock Fisheries and Animal Industries confirmed
an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) at a government owned poultry complex at
Mvog-Betsi, a suburb on the outskirts of Yaoundé.
There is a high risk of malaria in Cameroon.
There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in all areas of Cameroon. You should
take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
There is a cholera outbreak in Cameroon, mainly in the Far North but cases have also
been confirmed in Douala.
All land, air and maritime restrictions between Cameroon and Ebola affected countries
have been lifted. On arrival to Yaounde-Nsimalen Airport (NSI), the Cameroonian Health
Authorities use thermal sensors to monitor the temperatures of all passengers arriving
into the country. This is done at distance and is non-invasive.
In the 2015 the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated 620,000 people in Cameroon living
with HIV of which 580,000 are aged 15 or over. You should exercise normal precautions
to avoid exposure to HIV and AIDS.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 or 113 or 119
and ask for an ambulance.
PIRACY:
There have been attacks of armed robbery on commercial shipping vessels in the Gulf
of Guinea, including the coastline of Cameroon around Douala port. Extreme caution
should be exercised in these areas when travelling in coastal waters. We advise mariners
to take appropriate precautions.
IMB Piracy Reporting Centre:
IMB PRC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 24/7 Helpline T: +60 (3) 2013 0014. F: +60 (3) 2078 5769.
[email protected]
www.icc-ccs.org
IMB PRC Malaysia broadcasts SITREP reports to vessels at 0000 GMT and warnings via
Inmarsat C (Satellite) EGC Safety Net. However, vessels within some parts of the world,
that are not considered at risk from piracy, will not receive these messages.
HOLIDAYS:
1 January (New Years Day (No work)); 11 February (Youth Day); Easter; 1 May (Labour
Day (No work)); Ascension Day; 20 May (National Day (No work)); 15 August (Assumption);
25 December (Christmas (No work)); 2 Unfixed Muslim holidays (including Ramadan).
None Working Day:
Port operations stopped at 1800 hrs. day before or according to the last tide before
midnight, and resumed 0700 hrs. day after according to the first morning tide.
No operations, sailing or berthing during closure period, except supply vessels operating
on oilfields.
Even though there are public holidays, cargo work may be carried out by arrangement.
CONNECTIONS:
There is only one airline operating between a few major cities, Camair-co. Scheduled
flights are subject to frequent delays and cancellations. Several international airlines
fly into Cameroon.
While some parts of the Cameroonian railroads are being overhauled, much of the track
and many of the trains remain in poor condition.
BANKS:
Many banks will only allow you to exchange traveller's cheques if you hold an account
with that bank.
Cameroon is primarily a cash economy. Credit cards have limited acceptability in Cameroon
and of the range of credit cards Visa is the most widely accepted. Confirm in advance
if you wish to settle a bill by credit card.
Some ATMs outside banks in Yaounde, Douala and other major towns will accept major
credit cards and supply local currency but they are often empty, particularly at the
weekend.
Money transfer agencies can be found throughout Cameroon.
CUSTOMS:
Cameroon Customs.
[email protected]
www.douanescustoms-cm.net/
SHORE LEAVE:
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including
in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Media reports have highlighted
an increase in Islamic extremist presence in northern Cameroon.
Incidents of mugging and banditry, sometimes armed, are a problem throughout Cameroon
but of prevalence in Yaounde, Douala and Limbe. There have been attacks in the Mont
Febe area of Yaounde; it is advised not to go there alone. Avoid isolated or poorer
areas of town (for example in Yaounde, La Briquetterie and Mokolo; in Douala, Akwa,
Bonaberi and Village). Take personal security precautions, for example by avoiding
the streets at night and, as far as possible, go out in the company of others.
Ensure car doors are locked when travelling; avoid wearing jewellery and carry the
minimum in cash and valuables with you.
Petty theft is common on trains, coaches and bush taxis and around bus stations. Take
precautions when using city taxis as many do not comply with basic safety procedures
such as seatbelts or general roadworthiness. There have also been reports of violent
assaults and robberies on taxi passengers. Only use authorised taxis. Many hotels
or restaurants are able to call a private authorised taxi for customers.
Photography of military sites, government buildings, airports and ports is forbidden.
IDENTIFICATION CARDS:
Carry identification at all times (either a residence permit or a certified copy of
your passport). Failure to produce such identification can lead to detention by the
police.
GENERAL:
Information obtained from UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office website. Consult
www.gov.uk/fco for updates.
