Calls for reform eventually resulted in the adoption of a new constitution in 1996, which gave the president considerable power, although it did mandate regional and local elections. In 1997 Biya was not challenged for reelection. With the expansion of oil, timber, and coffee exports, the economy has continued to improve, although corruption is prevalent, and environmental degradation remains a concern. In June 2000 the World Bank agreed to provide more than $200 million to build a $3.7 billion pipeline connecting the oil fields in neighboring Chad with the Cameroon coast. Environmentalists fear the giant project will harm rain forests and only benefit the oil companies and the political elites in Cameroon and Chad

_______Economy
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Economy—overview: With rich oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has a wonderful primary commodity economy and potential for growth. His political stability,is a favorable climate for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led to rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major exports: petroleum, coffee, and cocoa. Nowadays, all cameroon is engage in a wonderful economic growth rate of 5% per year. Various IMF and World Bank programs were enacted to support the economic policy of the government. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to support business investment increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The government, however, failed to press forward vigorously with these programs. The latest enhanced structural adjustment agreement was signed in October 1997; the parties hope this will prove more successful, yet government mismanagement remains a problem. Inflation, which rose to 48% after the devaluation of 1994, has been brought back under control. Progress toward privatization of remaining state industry remains slow. President BIYA's new government of December 1997 has replaced old hands in the government economic control structure with promising technocrats.

Exports: total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b. 1996) commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton. Partners: EU (particularly France Italy and Spain) about 60% African countries Korea Taiwan and China

Imports:

total value: $1.5 billion (f.o.b. 1996)

commodities: machines and electrical equipment food consumer goods transport equipment petroleum products

partners: EU (France 40%) African countries US 7%

Natural Resources:petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Budget:

revenues: $2.23 billion

expenditures: $2.23 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)

Industries: petroleum production and refining food processing light consumer goods textiles lumber

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Agriculture—products: The principal commercial crops in Cameroon are cacao, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and bananas. In the early 1990s yearly production of cacao and coffee, the leading agricultural export commodities, was about 94,000 metric tons for the former and 85,000 tons for the latter. Other commercial products include rubber, palm products, and sugarcane. Subsistence crops include plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava, corn, and millet.

Livestock raising is important in the Adamawa Massif region. In the early 1990s the livestock population included 4.7 million head of cattle, 3.6 million goats, 3.6 million sheep, and 1.4 million pigs.

Forestry and Fishing

Timber is traditionally one of Cameroon's most valuable exports, consisting mainly of mahogany, ebony, and teak. The annual timber cut in the early 1990s amounted to some 14.6 million cu m (515 million cu ft). Fishing is dominated by freshwater subsistence activity. However, deep-sea fishing activity is increasing, especially from the port of Douala. About 78,000 metric tons of fish are caught annually.

Mining and Manufacturing

One of the largest single industrial enterprises in Cameroon is the aluminum smelting plant at Edéa, which produces about 92,000 metric tons annually from imported bauxite. The processing of agricultural products, however, dominates industrial activity; other manufactures include textiles, fertilizers, and cement. Offshore petroleum exploitation began in the late 1970s, and an oil refinery has been built on the coast at Limboh Point. Cameroon's output of crude petroleum, mostly for export, reached 61 million barrels a year during the early 1990s. Small amounts of gold and tin concentrates are also produced.

Currency, Banking, and Commerce

Currency:The unit of currency of Cameroon is the CFA(Communaute Financiere Africaine) 1 franc =100 centimes (721,0CFA francs equal U.S.$1; 2001 note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948

An exchange rate of 50 CFA francs equal to 1 French franc was in force until 1994, when the CFA franc was devalued by 50 percent. The currency is issued by the Bank of the States of Central Africa (headquartered in Yaoundé), the central bank of a monetary union formed by five Central African states. In the early 1990s, Cameroon's annual exports earned an estimated $1.8 billion while imports cost about $1.2 billion. France, the United States, and the Netherlands are leading partners for exports; France and Germany are leading partners for imports.

Transportation

Of the approximately 70,050 km (approximately 43,530 mi) of roads, about 11 percent are paved. Unpaved roads are frequently impassable during the rainy season. The country has 1104 km (about 686 mi) of railroad. The overwhelming majority of port traffic is handled at Douala; Kribi is the country's second port. The port of Garoua on the Benue River in the north is open two to three months a year and handles most of the trade with Nigeria. Cameroon Airlines provides domestic and international service. The main international airport is at Douala; three other international airports and many smaller airfields exist.

Communications

The national radio and television broadcasting system has its headquarters at Yaoundé and local radio stations in Douala, Garoua, and Buea. In the early 1990s about 1.7 million radios, 279,000 television sets, and 51,000 telephones were in use.

Telephones (main lines in use)60,000 (1995)

Telephones (mobile cellular)2,800 (1995)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Global Communication Network Cameroon Network New Technology Incorporation Network S.A International Computer Center Network

Exports:

total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b. 1996)

commodities: crude oil and petroleum products lumber cocoa beans aluminum coffee cotton

partners: EU (particularly France Italy and Spain) about 60% African countries Korea Taiwan and China

Imports:

total value: $1.5 billion (f.o.b. 1996)

commodities: machines and electrical equipment food consumer goods transport equipment petroleum products

partners: EU (France 40%) African countries US 7%

Debt—external: $10 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid: France signed two loan agreements totaling $55 million in September 1997 and the Paris Club agreed in October 1997 to reduce the official debt by 50% and to reschedule it on favorable terms with a consolidation of payments due through 2000

Fiscal year:1 July—30 June

::::::::::Bafoussam Travel Guide
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photo
Bafoussam is located some 250 km northeast of Douala . This nice laid back city is the main center of the Bamileke tribe. The main attractions include the colorful markets offering beautiful Bamileke wood carvings.

Bafoussam is a good base for visiting Foumban . A daytrip can be made to Bafut as well. In Bafut there is a nice castle woth visiting.


::::::::Bamenda Travel Guide
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photo
Bamenda is a city with over 200,000 inhabitants. Located between the hills it has a great climate. Bamenda can be reached by road from Yaounde and Douala. Although the city does have its own airport this is rarely used and flights are very irregular.

The countryside around Bamenda is dotted with Tea plantations and is ideal for hiking.

The local inhabitants rely on farming for their existence and sometimes have to walk miles to get to their farms.

______Sights
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Bamenda is an anglophone speaking province of Cameroon. English is rife together with pidgin English. The town of Bamenda is shared between three different tribes; Mankon, Nkwen and Bamendankwe.

The main town is located on a plain seperated by an escarpment that is dotted with scenic cascades of waterfall. There are lots of handicraft shops with typical traditional carvings and all kinds of hand made fabrics. It is also common to find hand weaved bags and caps adorned with the bright colours typical of this part of Cameroon.

There are several lakes dotted in the periphery of Bamenda. The Chief Palace of Mankon has a Museum that displays the history of the people of mankon dating several generations back. Another site of Attraction is the Bafut Fon Palace built several centuries back.

:::::::::Bangem Travel Guide
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On the trail around the lakes

On the trail around the lakes

Kristine Randall
Bangem, the capital of kupe muanenguba division south west province of Cameroon. It's approm. three hours drive from Douala the economic capital of Cameroon. Bangem is inhabited by very famous hospitable Bakossi tribe in the province. The main dialect is akosse but most people speak English as it's the official language. Bangem is famous because of the twin lakes found at the summit of the Manenguba Mt above the Mbat village. Contrary to other areas in the province, Bangem area got a cold mild climate throughout the year which attract tourist. The landscape is a mixture of savannah and rainforest.

:::::::::Benoue Park Travel Guide
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The Benoue National Park is located between Ngaoundere and Garoua and is the country's second best game reserve. The park is open from December to May - the best time to go is from January onwards, especially early in the morning. A guide in the park is compulsory.

:::::::::Buea Travel Guide
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photo
The capital of the south west province of Cameroon. Located at the foot of Mount Cameroon which is the highest mountain in west and central Africa.
:::::::Douala Travel Guide
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centre of Douala

centre of Douala

Richard Shepherd
Douala, or Duala, situated on the Wouri River, 24km (15 miles) from the sea, is the largest city of Cameroon. It is sometimes dubbed "Armpit of Africa" and we have to admit it is a sweaty place. It lacks major sights, but the Akwa district is lively enough and has quite some good African restaurants.

Douala is not the capital of Cameroon, but the most significant city by its population, and by its economic role. The city was probably named after the Duala, an African ethnic group that originally settled in the area. The chief commercial centre, Douala has an airport and extensive docks, and is a terminus for two railway lines extending into the interior. Industries include the manufacture of aluminium products, beer, soft drinks, textiles, and the processing of timber and cacao beans. Douala's port handles some 95 percent of the country's maritime traffic, and is second only to Kinshasa as Central Africa's largest city. Douala is divided into quarters or quartiers: Akwa, is the center of the city and the place where you will be spending most of your time, the Stand Municipal Artisanal, and Banajo the administrative district.

The major attraction in town is the Hotel Akwa Palace. To sit on the terrace and have coffee is the best way to spend a relaxing morning. The Musee de Doula is in the Hotel de Ville on the second floor. It gives you a pretty good intro in Bamoun and Bamileke art, very useful if you want to buy something later on. Close to the Museum is the Place du Gouvernement whith its "Chinese Pagoda" - built by Rudlof Douala Manga Bell, a local ruler who was executed by the Germans in 1914.

Daytrips from Douala can be made to the mountain resort of Mt Abu and to the beach resort of Limbe both only an hour away. Better beaches are in Kribi three to four hours by bush taxi.

::::::::Dschang Travel Guide
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Community drinking water project Dschang (Tchoutsi)

Community drinking water project Dschang (Tchoutsi)

Sergeo Demefack
The mountain resort of Dschang is the Cameroon version of Baden Baden. The town is set at an altitude of 1400 meters and with an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.

A visit to Dschang can be combined easily with a trip to Foumban and hiking in the Bamenda area.

_______History
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Dschang is the Capital of the Division of Menoua. It was the first capital of today’s Western province. Dschang was "dicovered" by a German named Zingraphe in 1895 during a military expedition.

In 1909, the first german farm was created in Djutsita (BAFOU) where most European crops can be grown in the mountains.

During and after the first world war, between September 1915 and March 1916, Dschang was placed under both French and English administration. On March 04 mars 1917 dschang was officialy under British ruling. On August 20 1920, following the agrrement of Milmes Simon, Dschang was handed over to France. During the second world war, the great European-like weather of Dschang encouraged the French government to build a gorgeous vacation resort for its officers. The resort was renamed “Centre Climatique de Dschang” and is today par of a much larger touristic plan of Dschang.

On June, 21 1921, Dschang was offocially declared the capital of the region of West and will lose its position after independence on January 1st 1960. Bafoussam became the new capital of the western province and dschang became the capital of the division of Dschang. From that time on Dschang became a gost city, its beautiful buildings were abandoned since the regional administration was moved to Bafoussam, 45 km away. After the creation of the University in Dshang in 1993, the city is today been rediscovered and attracts new investment. Dschang is increasingly becoming the cultural capital of Western Province.

:::::::::::Foumban Travel Guide
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Red earth of the NorthWest

Red earth of the NorthWest

Kristine Randall
The Royal Palace is the reason why you have come to Foumban. In the palace you will find the personal belongings of 18 royal dynasties, going all the way back to the 14-th century. Anyone who thought that Africa has no history before the arrival of the Europeans should have a look here.

If you want to shop a bit, Foumban has many artisan shops where you can get great deals if you take the time to haggle.

:::::::::
Kribi Travel Guide
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fishing site by blaise ndiale

fishing site by blaise ndiale

back from the sea
Kribi is loacted in the south-west of Cameroon some 80 km south of Doula. The main reason to visit Kribi are its sandy beaches where you can tan and relax.

From Kribi you can travel on to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea via the border town of Ebolowa.

:::::::Lebialem Travel Guide
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A rapidly growing county with a long history of its reach grass field culture.

:::::::Limbe Travel Guide
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Hot spot, Botanic gardens

Hot spot, Botanic gardens

me
Limbe is a great beach resort close to Douala. In the weekend it can get pretty crowded with people from the big city.

The beach in town itself is too rocky, but Mile Six has a good black sand beach that is free of oil. There are a few hotels and restaurants.

Bush taxis from Douala take an hour and leave from the Blv de la Reunification.

:::::::::
Ngaoundere Travel Guide
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Jabouyaga River, close to Bang Foulbé

Jabouyaga River, close to Bang Foulbé

Omy
Ngaoundere is the end of the railroad north form Yaounde, some 800 km northeast. You're pretty close to the Benoue Park here and well on your way to Maroua in the north.

Nagouandere has few sights. The Palace du Lamido is the main attraction. It's especially interesting in weekends when the locals come here to pay thier tribute to the Lamido.

The centre is pretty small and easliy explored on foot. On the main drag you find many cheap places to stay and eat, such as L`Epi d`Or (between the Grand Mosque and the Cameroun Airlines office). About a block away you find the New Jersey dance club, and a block south you find the street which leads to the Petite Marche and the railway station.

Set at an elevation of 1100 meters, Ngaoundere has a nice climate. Meiganga, some 30 km away is some 200 meters higher and some sort of a resort. The Ranch de Ngaoundaba is a popular place to stay.


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Yaounde Travel Guide
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i

Roy Enoh
Yaounde is the capital of Cameroon. The city is situated on seven hills with Mount Febe overlooking the city. Points of interest include the markets of Mora the African quarters of Messa, Mokolo and Briqueterie. A daytrip to Foumban is also very nice.