Cote d'Ivoire
Located in the West Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, thanks to cocoa
production and influx of foreign investment, is the most prosperous
of the tropical West African states. The country declared its independence
from France in 1960. However, of late, political turmoil and instability
has undermined the economic development. The year 1999 witnessed the
first ever military coup in the history of the country when Junta
leader Robert Guei overthrew the government and came out as a winner
in the 2000 elections that were rigged blatantly.
However he gave way to popular protest and abdicated power. This resulted
in the ascendancy of Laurent Gbagbo into power. In September 2002
a failed coup attempt was made by Ivorian dissidents and disgruntled
members of the military junta. Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord is being
implemented by Gbagbo, but many issues still remain unresolved. The
northern regions are still outside the control of the central government.
The country is full of French and West African soldiers stationed
there helping in the peace process and facilitating the rehabilitation
process.
Travel overview
Boasting of a sound economy, Cote d'Ivoire has emerged as a favourite
travel destination. Famous for its art, the country has many attractions
including the stunning church the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix
patterned on St Peter's Church at the Vatican City. For wildlife lovers,
the country offers the Parc National de la Comoe that is inhabited
by hippos, monkeys, elephants and antelopes. The region of Grand Bassam
boasts some great beaches that add to the country’s charm.
Unfortunately, the ongoing civil war between the government and rebel
forces makes Cote d'Ivoire a travel destination that should be cautiously
enjoyed.
Capital: Yamoussoukro
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Ghana and Liberia
Climate: tropical, semiarid, hot and dry
Total Area: 322,460 sq km
Total Population: 18,013,409
Population Growth Rate: 1.995%
Sex Ratio: 0.994 male(s)/female
Literacy: 50.9%
Ethnic Groups: Akan, Voltaiques, Gur, Northern Mandes, Krous, Southern
Mandes, Lebanese and French
Irrigated land: 730 sq km
Languages: French, Dioula
Time Zone: UTC 0
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
Neighbouring countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali
Type of govt.: republic
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Guillaume SORO
Major Political Parties: Citizen's Democratic Union or UDCY, Democratic
Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA , Ivorian
Popular Front or FPI , Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT , Opposition
Movement of the Future or MFA , Rally of the Republicans or RDR, Union
for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI
Participation in International Organizations: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU,
ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Major Agricultural Products: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels,
corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber;
timber
Natural Resources & Minerals: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds,
manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum,
silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower.
Industry & Transport: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil
refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials,
electricity, ship construction and repair
Airports: 35
Railways: 660 km
Roadways:
80,000 km
Waterways: 980 km
Major Trade Partners: France , US , Netherlands , Nigeria , Panama
and Singapore
Exports: $7.832 billion
Imports: $5.548 billion
