Aumazo
Aumazo

Discover Cameroon

Home of our founder and the cradle of our first boarding school, Cameroon is a lush African country with a wealth of natural resources.

Slightly larger than California, the present Cameroon was the result of the merger between the former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon in 1961. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, railways, and a petroleum industry. The official languages are French and English.

A Few Stats

Population
21.7 million (2012)

Literacy Rates
(age 15+ can read and write, 2012 estimates)
Total population – 71.3%
Male – 78.3%
Female – 64.8% (2010 est.)

Religions
Indigenous – 6%
Christian – 70%
Muslim – 21%
Other – 3%

Languages
English & French (both official)
+ 24 major African language groups

GDP per capita (PPP)
$2,400 (2013 est.)

GDP
Country comparison to the world
188

Population below poverty line
40% (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
55 years (2012 est.)

Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence
0.8% (2012 est.)

Trade & Economy

Cameroon boasts a wide array of abundant natural resources, and its economy is largely dependent on primary commodity exports—notably, crude oil and petroleum products (which make up over half of all Cameroonian exports), timber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, bananas, and cotton.

However, Cameroon’s economy is thought to perform far below its potential, and socio-economic indicators are poor. Poor economic performance has been linked to weak infrastructure; policies seen as posing barriers to foreign trade and regional integration; regulations and bureaucratic procedures seen as un-conducive to business and investment; and the impact of the global economic crisis.

Cameroon is eligible for trade benefits, including apparel benefits, under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA; Title I, P.L. 106-200). The United States maintains a trade deficit with Cameroon, largely due to U.S. imports of petroleum products.

(Source: CIA World Factbook 2010, Cameroon)

Bankondji

Cameroon

Bankondji is located at about 15km/9.3 miles away from the main city of Bafang recognized as the “Ville étape” or “Gate Entrance” to the West Province of Cameroon. As the economic bright spot and one of Cameroon’s more developed regions, the West Province (14,000 km²) has the highest population and is home to the enterprising Bamileke tribes. Agricultural prosperity and the enterprising traditions of the Bamileke people make the region one of the soundest economic ones in Cameroon.

A strong traditional culture still persists among Bamileke who fought hard during the colonial period to preserve their traditions. Many chieftaincies scattered around the region have stood the test of time. They offer a spectacular insight into the lives of the ancestors and are worth visiting.

Bafang, located at about 1,100 m / 3,608.924 feet above sea level, welcomes visitors with a variety of sites: Mouamkeu Falls, Banka Falls, Bankondji Falls, and the most impressive of all is Ekom Falls. All are accessible by car and usually by foot traffic, which leads to a better view. A great panoramic view of the valley of Bana and the visiting of many caverns make Bafang a particular point of attraction.

In the region, the soil varies greatly. The soil throughout is mostly red in color due to high iron content. The entire region is dominated by a few mountains and many high plateaus with large hills, separated by deep valleys. The climate is equatorial, with pronounced dry and wet seasons with moderate to heavy rains during the rainy season. Visitors can appreciate magnificent scenery, learn from diverse cultural traditions, and most of all, meet hospitable and compassionate people.