FACTS & FIGURES

POPULATION 15.8 million (2001 estimate).

LOCATION Western Africa, bordering Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

CURRENCY CFA Franc (XAF).

EXCHANGE US$1 = 721.246 XAF (Sept. 2001).

CAPITAL Yaoundé.

GDP $26 billion - purchasing power parity (2000).

EXPORTS Crude oil, cocoa, coffee, lumber, aluminum and cotton.

INDUSTRIES Petroleum production, food processing, textiles, lumber.