Online Encyclopedia
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, also known commonly as the Ivory Coast, is a country in West Africa. It borders Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana to the west, north, and east, and borders the Gulf of Guinea to its south. One of the most prosperous of the tropical West African states, its economic development has been undermined by political turmoil spawned by official corruption and refusal to adopt needed reforms.
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| National motto: None | |||||
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| Official language | French | ||||
| Capital | Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (de facto) | ||||
| Capital's coordinates | 6° 51' N, 5° 18' W | ||||
| Largest City | Abidjan | ||||
| President | Laurent Gbagbo | ||||
| Prime Minister | Seydou Diarra | ||||
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Area - Total - % water |
Ranked 67th 322,460 km² 1.4% |
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Population
- Density |
Ranked 57th
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Independence
- Recognised |
From France | ||||
| Currency | CFA franc | ||||
| Time zone | UTC | ||||
| National anthem | L'Abidjanaise (Song of Abidjan) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .CI | ||||
| Calling Code | 225 | ||||
| Contents |
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 Guéï 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
Main article: Politics of Côte d'Ivoire
The official capital since 1983 is Yamoussoukro; however, Abidjan remains the administrative center. Most countries maintain their embassies in Abidjan. The population continues to suffer because of an on-going civil war. International human rights organizations have noted problems with the tratment of captive non-combatants by both sides and the reemergence of child slavery among workers in cocoa production.
Départements
Main article: Départements of Côte d'Ivoire
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
Main article: Geography of Côte d'Ivoire
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
Main article: Economy of Côte d'Ivoire
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
Main article: Demographics of Côte d'Ivoire
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, primarily Roman Catholic, and animist.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Côte d'Ivoire
See also: List of writers from Côte d'Ivoire
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 fora, in October 1985 the government requested that the country be known as Côte d'Ivoire in every language. In fact, according to national law, the name of the country cannot be translated from French.
References
- Much of the material in these articles comes from the CIA World Factbook 2000 and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.
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