République du Cameroun

Political Status: Independence proclaimed 1960; federation established 1961; one-party unitary republic declared June 2, 1972; multiparty system introduced under legislation approved December 6, 1990.

Area: 183,568 sq. mi. (475,442 sq. km.).

Population: 10,493,655 (1987C); 17,053,000 (2007E).

Major Urban Centers (2005E): YAOUNDÉ (1,525,000), Douala (875,000).

Official Languages: French, English.

Monetary Unit: CFA Franc (official rate November 1, 2008: 517.30 francs = $1US). The CFA franc, previously pegged to the French franc, is now permanently pegged to the euro at 655.957 CFA francs = 1 euro.

President: Paul BIYA (Democratic Rally of the Cameroon People); served as prime minister 1975–1982; installed as president on November 6, 1982, to complete the term of Ahmadou Babatoura AHIDJO, who had resigned on November 4; reelected without opposition on January 14, 1984, and ...