We’re getting off to a little bit of a late start, but this next country we’re reading will be worth the wait.
Can you guess which land we’re adventuring to based upon these interesting facts from the Facts Institute?
Soccer (or football as its called there), is extremely popular & why not? This country boasts of the 2nd most successful football team on its continent.
There are as many as 275 local languages spoken in this land, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries.
But the diversity doesn’t end there. It’s also home to over 200 different ethnic groups & has been described as an “ethnic crossroads”.
It’s also biodiverse with 85,000 sq mi (220,149 sq km) of tropical forests which are home to 9,000 plant species, ~900 bird species, & ~320 mammals.
In fact, it has one of the largest & best-protected rainforests in the world. Founded in 1950, 90% of the reserve remains largely untouched!
Sadly, it’s largest lake—once one of the world’s largest lakes—has not fared as well. It’s shrunk by 90% since the 1960s due to climate change, population increase, & unregulated irrigation.
However, this country still contains one of the wettest places on Earth with a mean annual precipitation of more than 394 inches (1,000 cm)—an average rarely seen elsewhere in the world.
Any guesses as to which country we’re referring to? What about if we added in…
The world’s largest frog, a frog the size of a small cat, can be found here as can the critically endangered Western Lowland Gorilla.
SO WHAT COUNTRY ARE WE READING?
The Republic of Cameroon, in French (it’s other official language)—République du Cameroun, or as it is commonly called, Cameroon!
HAVE ANY BOOK SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your Cameroonian suggestions by Wed., Nov. 2 11PM ET. (That’s NYC time. See it converted to your time below.)
You can comment with your suggestion below or in our online book club in Facebook.
We'll use your suggestions & suggestions from the book club management team to compile a list of 6 books. The book judged as best will then be read.
Please note - We're specific in our books, they must:
Largely occur in the location specified unless the world/situation described is not specific to a country (e.g., sci fi, fantasy, some poetry, philosophical books, etc.)
Be written by an author born there who has spent a good portion of their life there
Exist in paperback & ebook available on both Amazon & Kindle at least in the US & hopefully elsewhere
Also, we love it when folks suggest books which are also available in audio format. While we know this isn’t always possible so it is not a requirement, it is more inclusive & something for which all of us should strive.