The country’s name is derived from Rio dos Camarões (“River of Prawns”)—the name given to the Wouri River estuary by Portuguese explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries. Camarões was also used to designate the river’s neighbouring mountains.
How did Cameroon get his name?
Cameroon sits on the Atlantic coast where Western and Central Africa meet. It was named by Portuguese explorers for the Rio dos Camarões (‘River of Prawns’). Cameroon’s geography includes the Mandara Mountains in the north-west, coastal plains, a densely forested plateau and savanna plains.
Who discovered Cameroon?
1472: Portuguese explorers led by Fernando Pô were the first Europeans to arrive the coast of Cameroon. They reached Douala through the Wouri River. They named it “Rio dos Camarões (the River of Prawns), which later resulted to the name of the country.
How did the Germans name Cameroon?
In spite of the predominant role of the British along the coast, in 1884 the Germans claimed the region as Kamerun. The explorer Gustav Nachtigal arrived in July 1884 to annex the Douala coast.
When was Cameroon founded?
On January 1, 1960, independence was granted. In elections held soon after independence, Ahmadou Ahidjo was elected the first president of the Republic of Cameroon. Ahidjo and his party, the Cameroon Union (Union Camerounaise), pledged to build a capitalist economy and to maintain close ties to France.
Who first colonized Cameroon?
In 1884 the area became a German colony and after the First World War it was divided between France and Britain [iii]. In 1960 the country was formalised into the Republic of Cameroon, when it gained independence from France [iv].
Is Cameroon part of Nigeria?
Northern Cameroon officially became part of Nigeria on 1 June, whilst Southern Cameroons became part of Cameroon on 1 October.
What was Cameroon originally called?
Originally, Cameroon was the exonym given by the Portuguese to the Wouri river, which they called Rio dos Camarões—”river of shrimps” or “shrimp river”, referring to the then abundant Cameroon ghost shrimp. Today the country’s name in Portuguese remains Camarões.
Which part of Africa is Cameroon?
Cameroon, country lying at the junction of western and central Africa. Its ethnically diverse population is among the most urban in western Africa. The capital is Yaoundé, located in the south-central part of the country.
Who invaded Cameroon?
In World War I the British invaded Cameroon from Nigeria in 1914 in the Kamerun campaign, with the last German fort in the country surrendering in February 1916. After the war this colony was partitioned between the United Kingdom and France under a June 28, 1919 League of Nations mandates (Class B).
Who accompanied Nachtigal to Cameroon?
History FROM 3
The missiooon was to study the possibility of German trade and the prospects of a consular Jervice and coaling station qlonh the West Africa. Nachtigal was assisted by Dr. Max Buchner of Moebius. He was joined by Edwrad Woermann, Emil Schultze and Edward Schmidt waiting in the bright of Biafra.
Why did Germany colonize Cameroon?
Reason of Colonization
Cameroon was colonized in 1884 by Germany, because Germany was looking for a colonial empire. Also they needed a country in Africa were Germans could establish trade. They chose Cameroon when an important German company built a warehouse there.
Why did Germany Colonise Cameroon?
Germany was particularly interested in Cameroon’s agricultural potential and asked large firms to exploit it and export its production.
Who led independence in Cameroon?
French Cameroon formally achieved its independence from France on January 1, 1960. UPC rebels killed five individuals in Yaoundé on January 1, 1960. Following independence, Prime Minister Ahmadou Ahidjo requested French military assistance to combat the UPC rebellion.
Who is the king of Cameroon?
Abumbi II, the 11th fon, or king, of Bafut, Cameroon, has close to 100 wives.
What language do they speak in Cameroon?
Cameroonians speak mostly French and English, which are foreign but official languages and part of an entrenched separatist conflict that has cost about 3,000 lives since 2017.