31 Cameroon Facts For Kids To Know About The African Country

Cameroon is located between Central and West Africa and is a culmination of the cultures of many ethnic groups.

This country finds its strength in its unity, which is a great thing to witness in any country. Cameroon is especially famous for its pious and delightful landscapes and nearly untouched natural beauty.

You must have heard of how talented Cameroon's football team is (no wonder they're called the Indomitable Lions), but did you know that this country is known as a miniature version of the entire continent? This is because of how diverse the country is in terms of its geographical traits, culture, languages, and ethnic groups.

When in Cameroon, you can't help but appreciate their admiration for the many exotic animal species in the country. In fact, Cameroon has recently passed a law that stands against poaching.

In addition to this, the entire country is littered with many beautiful places, waterfalls, and rainforests that you simply cannot miss out on! Keep reading to learn more about Cameroon!

Facts About Cameroon

Cameroon is a very important country in Central Africa as it encapsulates the essence of the entire continent through its diversity. The Republic of Cameroon is known both for its cultural diversity as well as for its amazing landscape, both of which are truly awe-inspiring.

• A Central African country, Cameroon is known for the way in which it is an amalgamation of present society as well as African history.
• The country, despite being colonized for so many years, has managed to stay true to its cultures and cuisines, and this is one of the reasons why Cameroon is one of the best places to visit if you want to experience authentic African customs.
• It is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world.
• Around 280 endemic languages are spoken in the Republic of Cameroon. This also means that most people know way more than just one or two languages.
• There is substantial evidence that suggests human existence in the country as far as 50,000 years ago!
• Due to the geographic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of this country, it is often referred to as a miniature of Africa.
• Other nicknames that the country has gathered in this regard include 'Africa in microcosm' and 'Africa all in one.' The greatest part is that this country really does stand up to these claims!
• Cameroon's flag is a reflection of its diversity.
• The flag has three colors and a star in the middle.
• The green stripe is symbolic of the rainforests and vegetation in the southern side of the country; the yellow stripe signifies the arid savannahs of the north, and the red stripe in the middle is a union of the two regions.
• The yellow star in the middle of the flag is also a symbol of national unity!
• Until 1972, sectors such as the civil service, education and legislature were under the control of the British and the French!
• The first European to set foot on the Cameroon coast was Fernando Po.
• He named the country after the plentiful shrimps that he found in the River Wouri.
• He was a Portuguese explorer.
• He initially named the area Rio dos Camaros, which essentially means 'shrimp river'.
• It was only much later that the name was changed to Cameroon.
• The national languages of Cameroon are French and English, which show the effects of colonization.

Cameroon's History

Cameroon's history is dense, with accounts of strife between the many ethnic groups as well as colonial adventures.

• The first European set foot in Cameroon in 1472.
• It was only in 1520 that the Portuguese set up their colonies, established sugar plantations, and started trading enslaved people from Cameroon.
• The Dutch briefly took over as colonizers in the 17th century, before the Germans seized control in 1884 and called the land Kamerun.
• After the First World War, the land was colonized by the British and French for some years.
• The country gained independence in 1960.
• Cameroon was initially called the United Republic of Cameroon.
• The name was officially changed to the Republic of Cameroon in the late 20th century.

Cameroon's Culture

Cameroon is a boiling pot of different cultures since the land houses so many different tribes of Africa.

• The main part of Cameroon's culture is the fact that the people find their power in unity and integrity.
• The people also stay in touch with their cultural history, which is visible in their demeanor as well as warmth!
• Some of the delicacies of Cameroon are fufu corn and njama njama, brochettes, and sangah!

Geographical Facts About Cameroon

Cameroon is home to many animal and plant species due to its favorable climatic conditions. All the animals and birds that you would expect to see in tropical Africa can be seen in Cameroon, which makes this country a great place for a jungle safari!

• The Central African Republic of Cameroon has different climatic conditions in different parts.
• While the north is known for its semi-arid conditions, the climate tends to become wetter as you move towards the south.
• In fact, the Debundscha Point, which is one of the wettest places on the planet, is located in none other than Cameroon!
• The Debundscha Point receives around 33.7 ft (10.3 m) of rain annually! We can't help but imagine how people manage to travel through such a place!
• The amount of rain that this spot gets is due to its equatorial location.
• Cameroon is also home to some of the largest species of animals, which is hardly surprising since the country provides such a safe environment for them to live in!
• The highest point in Cameroon is Mount Cameroon. Pretty easy to remember, right?
• Mount Cameroon stands at a staggering height of around 13,500 ft (4114.8 m) above sea level!
• The boundary between Nigeria and Northern Cameroon is also formed by Mount Cameroon!
• Cameroon was a German colony before the First World War.
• After the First World War, however, the country was divided into two parts between France and Britain.
• The division was only lifted after it gained independence, making it the United Republic of Cameroon!
• It was in French Cameroon that independence was achieved in the year 1960.
• Cameroon sits between central and west Africa.
• It lies between the countries of Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo!
• The southern region of the country is covered in rainforests!
• Cameroon boasts of having one of the most nutrient-rich, fertile soils in the entire world!
• Colonizers started plantations in Cameroon to exploit its natural resources.
• Cotton, cocoa beans, coffee beans, and bananas are plentiful in this beautiful country!