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Ivory Coast

✨ The land of ebony and ivory

Côte d’Ivoire is a country in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Liberia and Guinea to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, and Ghana to the east, while its southern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. Yamoussoukro is the political capital, whereas Abidjan is the largest city and main economic centre. The country covers about 322,000 square kilometres. Its landscapes range from coastal plains and lagoons in the south to forests, plateaus and savannas farther inland.

Mount Nimba, on the border with Guinea, reaches about 1,752 metres and is the country’s highest point. Major rivers include the Bandama, Comoé and Sassandra. Côte d’Ivoire has a tropical climate, with rainfall generally decreasing from the wetter south toward the drier north. The southern regions receive abundant rain and contain important forest areas, while the north has a longer dry season and more extensive savanna landscapes.

Côte d’Ivoire has rich biodiversity and productive agricultural land. Its forests provide habitats for many species, although their area has declined considerably because of agriculture, logging and other human activities. The country is the world’s leading producer of cocoa, an important crop for its economy and a source of income for millions of people. Coffee, cashew nuts, rubber, palm oil and bananas are also significant agricultural products.

Côte d’Ivoire has mineral resources such as gold and also produces petroleum and natural gas offshore. It gained independence from France in 1960. French is the official language, alongside many local languages, including Baoulé, Dioula and Sénoufo. The national currency is the West African CFA franc. Its Atlantic coastline, varied landscapes, fertile agricultural areas and cultural diversity make Côte d’Ivoire an important country in West Africa.

💡 Did you know?

Do you know where the name 'Ivory Coast' comes from? It's because of the country's emblematic animal: the elephant! Formerly, thousands of elephants were found in the savannas and forests. Their tusks are made of ivory, a precious material. Even though they are no longer hunted today to protect them, the elephant remains the symbol of Ivory Coast, and the national football team players are proudly called the 'Elephants'!

Ivory Coast has a giant basilica in Yamoussoukro that closely resembles St. Peter's in Rome, but even larger! It is so tall that a 40-story building could fit inside. It is one of the largest religious buildings in the world. Inside, the multicolored stained glass windows are magnificent, and when the sun shines through, the entire church fills with a magic light.

In the city of Yamoussoukro, there is a lake called 'the cayman lake' surrounding the presidential palace. It is not an ordinary lake because it is filled with dozens of giant crocodiles! Tradition dictates that they are fed every day at the same time. Even though they look peaceful sunbathing, you must especially not get too close to the edge!