Before the annexation of Cameroon in 1884, the territory derived its name from a Portuguese explorer led by Fernando Po known as Rio Dos Cameroes meaning River of Prawns. This was in reference to the River Wouri that has a lot of prawns.
The Carthaginians explorer Hano, named the territory as the Chariot of gods because of volcanic eruptions on the Cameroon Mountains at that time.
During the 19th century, the European powers that visited the territory gave names derived from Portuguese appellation. Example:
Cameroes ® Portuguese
Kamerun ® German
Cameroon ® British
Cameroun ® French
