Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Cameroon Scenes" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 15c Cameroon Flags of the U.N. Series stamp issued September 26, 1980. One of Africa's most diverse countries, the United Republic of Cameroon boasts two official languages and more than one hundred fifty different ethnic groups. Even the geography and climate differ from one region to another, making for a cultural variety that ranges from forest-dwelling Pygmies to nomadic desert tribesmen. Perhaps the most spectacular sight in all of Cameroon is at Mt. Cameroon overlooking the Gulf of Guinea. It is the highest point in West Africa, rising 13,350 feet. An active volcano, the mountain has rich soils, and rainfall on the seaward slope averages more than four hundred inches a year, making it one of the wettest places on earth. Thus, the Republic of Cameroon supports an agricultural economy. Most of the people are subsistence farmers and, though poor in terms of dollars, they raise enough food to feed their families. Cacao is the major export crop and most of it is raised on 200,000 small farms. Coffee is the second most important export crop. The capital of Cameroon is Yaound?, and the leading port and largest city is Douala. In 1961, the people of the Cameroon Republic, living under French administration, merged with the British-administered territory of the Cameroons. The two areas are now component states of the United Republic of Cameroon, called East and West Cameroon respectively. English and French are the two official languages. Today, the people live under their own Constitution headed by a President who is elected to five-year terms. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 17.75 x 15 in. Unframed. (B06114)