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Yaoundé, estimated population 1,430,000, is the capital city of Cameroon and second largest city in the country after Douala. It lies in the centre of the nation at about 750 metres above sea level. The city centre houses government offices, some large (and expensive) hotels, and the central market. The exclusive Bastos neighbourhood is home to foreign embassies, a large expatriate European community (drawn mainly from the diplomatic corps), and luxury houses belonging to the very wealthiest of Cameroonians. Attractions include the Cameroon Art Museum, the Cameroon National Museum (located in the former presidential palace), and the Afhemi Museum. There is a small zoo in the Mvog-Betsi neighbourhood.

The city has numerous markets, with the market at Mokolo being one of the biggest. There is also a large supermarket ("Score") situated in the city centre. The national football team plays frequent matches in the Ahmadou Ahidjo (or Omnisport) stadium. Yaoundé is also the site of several universities, including the University of Yaoundé I, University of Yaounde II (on a campus outside of town) and the Catholic University for Central Africa (UCAC). The presidential palace and compound is in the Etoudi neighborhood.