Central Africa.

GMT + 1.

465,458 sq km (179,714 sq miles).

18.9 million (2009).

40.3 per sq km.

Yaoundé (constitutional). Population: 1.4 million (2005). Douala (economic). Population: 2 million (2005).

Situated on the west coast of Africa, Cameroon is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Guinea, to the northwest by Nigeria, to the northeast by Chad (with Lake Chad at its northern tip), to the east by the Central African Republic and to the south by Congo-Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. 

The far north of the country is a semi-desert broadening into the vast Maroua Plain, with game reserves and mineral deposits. This is bordered to the west by the lush Mandara Mountains; the Benue River rises here and flows westwards into the Niger. 

The country to the northwest is particularly striking: volcanic peaks covered by bamboo forest rise to over 2,000m (6,500ft), with waterfalls and villages scattered over the lower slopes. Further to the south and west are savannah uplands, while dense forest covers the east and south. The highest peak, at 4,095m (13,434ft) is Mount Cameroon, which lies close to the coast. The humid coastal strip is tropical, with a mixture of rainforest and farmland. 

The River Wouri, which flows southwest into the Gulf of Guinea, inspired the country's name after 15th-century Portuguese sailor Fernando Po's spoke of the Rio dos Cameroes (river of shrimps).

Republic. Gained independence in 1961.

President Paul Biya since 1982.

Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni since 2004.

The most recent presidential poll, in 2004, saw Biya secure another seven-year term in office with 70% of the votes. International observers claim the poll was fair and transparent, but opposition parties made allegations of widespread fraud; attempts to expose and tackle corruption remain central to political discussion.

Cameroon joined the UN Security Council in 2002, and, as a result, found itself subject to serious pressure over the Iraq issue during early 2003. In 2006, a group of major lending nations agreed to cancel almost all of Cameroon's debt; in August that year Nigeria finally handed over sovereignty of the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula.

The official languages are French and English. They are given equal importance in the constitution, but French is the more commonly spoken. Pidgin English is widely spoken, particularly in coastal areas, and Spanish is spoken in some urban centres. Over 200 different African languages are also in circulation.

The majority of the population hold Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) or traditional animist beliefs. The sizeable remainder are followers of Islam.

110/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. In the north, where the population is largely Muslim, Islamic traditions should be respected. Visitors should never step inside a Muslim prayer circle of rocks. In other rural areas, where traditional beliefs predominate, it is essential to use tact.

Photography: Cameras should be used with discretion, particularly in rural areas. Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Do not photograph airports, military establishments, official buildings, or military personnel in uniform.