Cameroon - Country Information

Film Commissions

General Information

Location: West Africa
Local Time: GMT +1
Capital City: Yaounde
Population: 16 million
Area: 475,442 square km, 295,439 square miles.
Language(s): French, English, many local African languages
Dialling Code: 237
Emergency: Police: 17. Fire: 18. Ambulance: 223-40-20
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Electricity: 110V/220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: CFA Franc (XAF 1 = 100 Centimes)
Notes: XAF: 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000
Coins: XAF: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted on a limited basis

Opening Hours
Bank: 0730-1500 Mon-Fri
Office: 0730-1530 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0730-1530 Mon-Sat (many shops open until 1800)

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Years Day, Jan 10 Islamic New Year, Feb 11 Youth Day, Mar 20 Prophet's Anniversary, Mar 21-24 Easter, May 1 Labour Day, May 1 Ascension, May 20 National Day, May 21 Sheep Festival, Jul 0 Ascencion of the Propher, Aug 15 Assumption, Oct 1 Unification Day, Oct 2 End of Ramadam, Dec 9 Festival of Sacrifice, Dec 25 Christmas Day
* Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in English and French. Visitors should be perceptive to local conventions and care should be taken to respect Islamic and other local religious practices. On social occasions dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated

Tipping: If there is no service charge, tips in hotels & restaurants are up to 10%

Health

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required by all. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: Cholera*, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, malaria, meningitis*, polio, TB*, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria exists all year throughout the country. Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for 6 months

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Cameroon

Copy of travel insurance now required for all visa applications

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to a third country by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours without leaving the airport, provided holding confirmed onward tickets

Exit Permits

Required by all except nationals of Cameroon with income tax clearance issued by fiscal authorities. Not applicable to persons holding transit visas

Climate

Northern Cameroon has a single wet season between May-Sep and a long dry season. The southern part of the country has some of the highest rainfall figures in the world. Here, heavy rainfall can occur at any time but is especially heavy between Mar-Oct

Clothing

Light cotton clothes, to help cope with the humidity. Rainwear at all times

Charts for Douala

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 30 30 30 30 30 28 27 27 27 27 29 29 Min Temp (C) 23 23 23 23 23 22 22 22 22 22 23 23 Humidity am (%) 95 96 95 94 95 95 96 96 95 95 95 95 Humidity pm (%) 74 75 76 76 79 82 86 84 84 83 80 78 Rainfall (mm) 46 94 203 231 300 539 742 693 531 429 155 64

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

Embassy
High Commission of Cameroon
84 Holland Park
London, W11 3SB
Website:www.cameroonhighcommission.co.uk
tel: +44 20 7727 0771
fax: +44 20 7792 9353
Hours: 0900-1600 (Mon-Fri)