Côte d'Ivoire

République de Côte d'Ivoire

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Xxxxx
Official language	French
Capital	Yamoussoukro
Capital's coordinates	6° 51' N, 5° 18' W
Largest City	Abidjan
President	Laurent Gbagbo
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 67th 322,460 km² 1.4%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 57th 16,962,491 53/km²
Independence  - Declared  - Recognised	From France August 7, 1960 (Year)
Currency	CFA franc
Time zone	UTC
National anthem	L'Abidjanaise (Song of Abidjan)
Internet TLD	.CI
Calling Code	225

History

Main article: History of Côte d'Ivoire

In the 19th century, Côte d'Ivoire was seized by Louis Gustave Binger, (1856-1936) as a colony for France. It became independent in 1960.

On December 25, 1999, a military coup d'état - the first ever in Côte d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. An economic downturn followed. The new regime promised to return the country to democratic rule in 2000. In October 2000, Laurent Gbagbo replaced junta leader Robert Guei as president, ending ten months of military rule.

In 2002 a rebellion in the North and the West came up and the country is now divided in three parts. A reconciliation process (2003) under international auspices is on the way. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Côte d'Ivoire to maintain peace and help implement the peace accords.

Politics

The official capital since 1983 is Yamoussoukro; however, Abidjan remains the administrative center. Most countries maintain their embassies in Abidjan.

Départements

Côte d'Ivoire is divided into 58 départements: Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adiake, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Alepe, Bocanda, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Dabou, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Jacqueville, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tiebissou, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toulepleu, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula

Geography

Côte d'Ivoire is a country of western Sub-Saharan Africa. It borders Liberia and Guinea in the west, Mali and Burkina Faso in the north, Ghana in the east, and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic ocean) in the south.

Economy

Maintaining close ties to France since independence in 1960, diversification of agriculture for export, and encouragement of foreign investment has made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states.

Demographics

About 20% of the population consists of workers from neighboring countries. This fact has created steadily increasing tension in recent years, especially since most of these workers are Muslims while the native-born population is largely Christian and animist.

Culture

• Music of Côte d'Ivoire: Alpha Blondy, Gyil, Djun-djun

Holidays

Date	English Name	Local Name	Remarks
August 7	Independence Day

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Côte d'Ivoire
• Transportation in Côte d'Ivoire
• Military of Côte d'Ivoire
• Foreign relations of Côte d'Ivoire

The country was originally known in English as Ivory Coast, and corresponding translations in other languages: Elfenbeinküste in German, Costa de Marfil in Spanish, and so on. Because of the disorder this could produce in international forums, in October 1985 the government requested that the country be known as Côte d'Ivoire in every language.

References

• Much of the material in these articles comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.

Referenced By