Since then it has struggled from one-party rule to a multi-party system in which the freedom of expression is severely limited.

OVERVIEW

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Cameroon began its independence with a bloody insurrection which was suppressed only with the help of French forces.

This was followed by 20 years of repressive government under President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Nonetheless, the country saw investment in agriculture, education, health care and transport.

In 1982 Mr Ahidjo was succeeded by his prime minister, Paul Biya. Faced with popular discontent, Mr Biya allowed multi-party presidential elections in 1992, which he won.

Five years later, he and his party won further elections, which were boycotted by the main opposition parties and marred by irregularities.

In 1994, and briefly in 1996, Cameroon fought a border war with Nigeria over the disputed oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula. An international court awarded sovereignty over Bakassi to Cameroon in 2002, although Nigeria has yet to withdraw its troops from the territory.

Cameroon has one of the best literacy rates in Africa. However, the country's continued development is hampered by a level of corruption that is among the highest in the world.

In 1986 Cameroon hit the world headlines when a discharge of poisonous gases from Lake Nios killed nearly 2,000 people.

FACTS

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• Population: 16.6 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Yaounde
• Area: 465,458 sq km (179,714 sq miles)
• Major languages: French, English, languages of Bantu, Semi-Bantu and Sudanic groups
• Major religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Crude oil and petroleum products, timber, cocoa, aluminium, coffee, cotton
• GNI per capita: US $630 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .cm
• International dialling code: +237

LEADERS

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President: Paul Biya

Veteran leader Paul Biya won a new seven-year term in presidential elections in October 2004, with more than 70% of the vote. Commonwealth observers accepted the result, but said the poll lacked credibility in key areas. Opposition parties alleged widespread fraud.

Paul Biya, president since 1982

Mr Biya won multi-party polls in 1992 and 1997. The latter were boycotted by the three main opposition parties.

Before becoming president, Mr Biya spent his entire political career in the service of President Ahmadou Ahidjo, becoming prime minister in 1975.

With Mr Ahidjo's resignation in 1982 he assumed the leadership and set about replacing his predecessor's northern allies with fellow southerners.

In 1983 he accused Mr Ahidjo of organising a coup against him, forcing the former president to flee the country.

Born in 1933, Paul Biya was educated in Cameroon and France, where he studied law at the Sorbonne.