French Cameroon became
independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the
southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new
country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution
replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon.
The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the
development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum
industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power
remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA.
(Source: The
World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009)
For more
information about Cameroon:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
