a region in west Africa; a German protectorate (1884 - 1919) which was then divided into British and Frenchcolonies. The United Nations took over control of the colonies in 1946. In 1959, the United Nations voted in favor of giving the French Cameroons independence and holding an election in the British Cameroons to determine the future of that territory. On January 1, 1960, the French Cameroons were granted independence and became the Republic of Cameroon, but the future of the British Cameroons was not fully settled until 1961. —State of ManCongress Approved Gls (14.5.92)