BORDER CHANGES OF CAMEROON
Border Changes
Add Caption by Self-made from PD CIA Map on Commons
[public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
The picture above illustrates Cameroons borders during colonization. The pink and light brown shaded areas are what makes up the borders of modern day Cameroon. The remaining areas were controlled mainly by the Germans until the end of World War I and then area was split between Britain and France. Britain controlled the light blue and brown regions and France controlled the remaining areas. As shown in this picture Cameroon's borders expanded into neighboring countries. Nigeria, Chad, Central African Republic, and the Congo were all once part of Cameroon under European colonial control.[1] In 1960, Cameroon gained its independence and in 1961 Southern Cameroons joined French Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. [2] There has been no border changes since gaining its independence, but the name of the country has changed; in 1972 it became the United Republic of Cameroon and in 1984 the Republic of Cameroon. [3]
Political Changes
Add Caption by Borigue (own work)
[public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
Ahmadou Ahidjo was President of Cameroon from the time it gained its independence until 1982 and his successor, Paul Biya has been in power since that time. [4] The President serves seven year terms and is elected by popular vote, but many view Cameroon as a autocratic society. [5] the National Assembly serves as the legislative Branch and its members are elected every five years, but on important note is the traditional chiefs, fons, and lamibe are recognized to have authority in their areas as long as there rules coincide with national law. [6] The legal system in Cameroon is based off of a mixture of mainly French civil law and minor common law influences. [7]
Culture and Society in Cameroon Today
The culture and society of modern day Cameroon is filled with influences left from Europeans during colonization. The main two areas are in religion and language. Christianity is the most popular religion and was brought to Cameroon by missionaries beginning in the late nineteenth century. The two most common languages are English and French, but French is the most understood. [8] Even though Cameroon was not drastically impacted by constant border changes the influences of Europeans still linger today and have become interwoven with African traditions to create what Cameroon is today.
No comments:
Post a Comment