Ivory Coast

Overview

Ivory Coast is situated at the West Africa coastline. The country’s political capital is Yamoussoukro while the capital and largest city is Abidjan at the port.

The country’s official language is French, while other indigenous languages include Baoule, Dioula, Dan, Anyin and Cebaara Senufo. The largest population adheres to Islam religion then followed by Christianity.

In 1842, France made the country’s coastal regions its protectorate and later colonized the country. Felix Houphouet Boigny formed the African Agricultural Union (SAA) in 3rd September 1944 which was the country’s first political party. In 1958, Ivory Coast became a republic in the French group. Ivory Coast gained independence in 1960 with Felix Houphouet Boigny as the first president. He later died in 1993. He was succeeded by President Henri Konan Bedie who was later overthrown in a military coup.

A disputed presidential election was conducted in 2000 and Laurent Gbagbo won. Between 2002 and 2007, a civil war too place where the rebels tried to exile President Gbagbo, this made the country split into Muslim territory at the north and Christians territory at the south. The crisis ended in 2007 after Ghagbo and rebel leader Guillaume Soro signed a peace agreement. In 20210, run-off presidential elections were conducted and Alassane Quattara was declared the winner. Mr Gbagbo refused to step down and post-election violence occurred where many died and dislocated.

Yamoussoukro Basilica, Côte d’Ivoire.

As of 2019 the country had a population of 25.717 million.

The education system comprises of six years of primary education, seven years of secondary education then university level.

The popular most sport is football. The world has had great football players from the country. The likes of Didier Drogba.

The national dish is fufu which is plantains, cassava or yams crushes into sticky dough served with spiced meat and vegetable sauce. The country is also one of the world’s largest exporters of cocoa beans.

Ivory Coast is bordered to the north by Mali and Burkina Faso, to the east by Ghana, to the south by the Gulf of Guinea, to the southwest by Liberia and to the northwest by Guinea.

History

Côte d'Ivoire was a French colony and became independent in 1960, after which it enjoyed decades of growth. Civil conflicts in 2002 and 2010–11 interrupted that stability.

Food & culture

Attiéké (fermented cassava couscous), alloco (fried plantain) and kedjenou chicken stew are favourites.

Wildlife

Taï National Park protects one of the last primary rainforests in West Africa and is home to chimpanzees and pygmy hippos.

Festivals & events

The Fête des Masques in the Man region and the Abissa festival in Grand-Bassam celebrate local traditions.

Things to see

The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the colonial town of Grand-Bassam, Taï National Park and Abidjan's Plateau district.

Interesting facts

Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer of cocoa. The basilica in Yamoussoukro is one of the largest churches in the world.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ivory Coast

1 of 5 visited. See every site I've been to.

Historic town of Grand-Bassam 2012
Comoé National Park 1983
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve 1981
Sudanese style mosques in northern Côte d'Ivoire 2021
Taï National Park 1982

My videos from Ivory Coast

Overland truck on African dirt roads
Côte d'Ivoire

My photos from Ivory Coast

January 2019 Overlanding West Africa - Oasis Overland

Yamoussoukro, Man

Whole trip gallery

Plan your trip to Ivory Coast

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