| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | CMISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | CMRISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | YaoundeGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | AfricaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | CameroonCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of CameroonCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | Cameroun/CameroonCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | in the 16th century, Portuguese explorers named an estuary near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; the name Camaroes evolved into "Cameroon"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Presidential republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | State Unification Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Paul BIYA (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | XAFISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | CFA Franc BEACISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 10ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Adamaoua / Centre / East / Far North / Littoral / North / North-West / South / South-West / WestISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | lionCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancêtres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers); lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME; history: adopted 1957; lyrics were changed slightly to the current version in 1978CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | green, red, yellowCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon; dual citizenship recognized: no; residency requirement for naturalization: 5 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
in the 16th century, Portuguese explorers named an estuary near the mouth of the Wouri River the Rio dos Camaroes (River of Prawns) after the abundant shrimp in the water; the name Camaroes evolved into "Cameroon"
description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), red, and yellow, with a small five-pointed yellow star centered in the red band meaning: red stands for unity; yellow for the sun, happiness, and the northern savannahs; green for hope and the southern forests; the star is called the "star of unity;" the vertical tricolor design is similar to the French flag history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
