INTRODUCTION

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a French-speaking country in West Africa. A number of important kingdoms existed in this area from early times. Early trade with Europe was based on ivory, which gave the country its name—Côte d’Ivoire in French or Ivory Coast in English. The French firmly settled themselves in the region in the mid-nineteenth century. In 1893, Côte d’Ivoire became a French colony, and gained its independence in 1960. The country keeps a close relationship with France.

LOCATION

Côte d’Ivoire, a roughly square-shaped country, is located on the Gulf of Guinea. Covering 124,500 square miles (322,000 square kilometers), it is slightly larger than the state of New Mexico. Most of the country consists of a low plateau, sloping gradually southward to the Gulf of Guinea. The plateau is broken by hills in the North and by the Man Mountains in the West.

The population of Côte d’Ivoire was approximately 15 million in 1997, and it is growing very fast. The capital, Abidjan, has a population of about 2.8 million. More than sixty ethnic groups make up the population of Côte d’Ivoire. Each has its own distinct language or dialect (variety of a language) and customs.

CLIMATE

Near to the equator, Ivory Coast has a tropical climate with consistently high temperatures all year round.

In the commercial capital of Abidjan on the coast, temperatures usually fall between 22°C and 32°C.

The coastal region has the highest amount of rainfall, receiving 200-300cm on average.

LANGUAGE

The official language of the country is French. It is spoken mostly in the cities and towns and is used in higher education. However, the masses of the people prefer pidgin (popular) French, called Dioula. All of the country’s approximately sixty ethnic languages belong to the Niger-Congo family. However, even the most widely spoken language is spoken by only about 23 percent of the population.

TOURISM

Tourists that do brave the political situation can experience attractions in the Ivory Coast like one of the last remaining virgin rainforests in West Africa at the Tai National Park, an unspoilt wonderland of huge trees, gurgling streams and abundant wildlife. Then there is the impressive Cascade Waterfall, located in a bamboo forest in the lush region around the town of Man, which also hosts the intriguing annual Festival of Masks with performing stilt-dancers.

The cities, too, are worthy experiences, particularly the capital Yamoussoukro. A unique city in Africa, boasting a full-sized replica of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The stunning cathedral (containing more stained glass than you will find in all the churches of France), and other lavish edifices in the surprising city, including an internationally-rated golf course and multi-lane highways that disappear into the jungle, was built courtesy of long-term president Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who bestowed all these gifts on his hometown.

The largest city, Abidjan, has a cosmopolitan flavour lent to it by its large French and Lebanese communities. Abidjan presents an attractive aspect, set on a lagoon and boasting high-rise buildings like the spectacular Hotel Ivoire. Abidjan has its landmark cathedral too: St Paul’s was built in 1985, and consecrated by the Pope. The city has a vibrant nightlife and bustling atmosphere, offering a few good museums for sightseeing and a rainforest reserve called Parc du Banco for shady relaxation.