IVOIR COTE
Republic of Côte d "Ivoire, a state in West Africa, the richest country of the former colonies that were part of French West Africa. In the south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, in the east it borders on Ghana, in the north - on Burkina Faso and Mali, in the west - on Guinea and Liberia. Area 322.5 thousand square meters. km. Population 15 million (1998). Since 1983, the capital is the city of Yamoussoukro in the central part of the country, all ministries and foreign diplomatic missions are located in the former capital, Abidjan. The independence of Côte d'Ivoire was proclaimed on August 7, 1960.

Ivory Coast. Capitals: Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (actual). Population - 15 million people (1998). Population density - 45 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population- 48%, rural - 52%. Area - 332.5 thousand square meters. km. The most high point- Mount Nimba (1752 m). Official language- French. Main religions: Islam, Christianity, local traditional beliefs. Administrative-territorial division - 49 departments. The monetary unit is the CFA franc. National holiday: Independence Day - 7 August. National anthem: "Hail to you, land of hope."

Flag of Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN - THE CAPITAL OF Côte d'Ivoire

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Nature. The main part of the country's territory is occupied by an undulating plain, which gradually rises from the coast to the north and turns into a plateau with a height of more than 400 m above sea level. The flat surface is disturbed by remnants composed of volcanic and crystalline rocks. The relative height of these landforms sometimes exceeds 100 m. In the north-west of Ivory Coast there are mountains composed of crystalline rocks - granites, amphibolites and quartzites. The mountains of Odienne and Man stand out especially with massive ridges up to 1100-1200 m high and deep valleys and gorges.At the junction of the borders of three countries - Côte d "Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia - rises Mount Nimba (1752 m), the highest point in the country. The plains and plateaus of Côte d'Ivoire in the meridional direction cross the rivers Cavalli (along the border with Liberia), Sasandra, Bandama and Komoe. They are not navigable (mainly because of the rapids), but are widely used for timber rafting. The territory of Côte d'Ivoire cross from north to south three geographical zones: Sudanese, forest and coastal. Length coastline OK. 550 km. To the west of the border with Ghana to the city of Fresco, the coast is lined with sandy bays and laced lagoons. The largest of them is the Ebriye lagoon with an area of ​​550 sq. km and a depth of up to 7-8 m. After the construction of a canal through the bay in 1950, this lagoon turned into a convenient sea harbor and in subsequent years was connected by channels with neighboring lagoons - Make in the west and Ob in the east. In the area west of Fresco to the border with Liberia, a plateau approaches the coast, which breaks off with rocky ledges from 20 to 50 m high. The climate of the coastal zone is equatorial, constantly hot and humid. The average annual rainfall is 1900-2400 mm in the west and east, and somewhat less in the central part. There are two maxima of precipitation (May-June and September-November). Average monthly temperatures are 27-28°C in December-April and 23-24°C from July-September. The forest zone has a width of approx. 300 km in the east and west and less than 130 km in the central part of the country in the Bandama river basin. In the south of this zone, humid tropical forests with evergreen tree species extend, in the north the role of deciduous species increases. These forests contain large reserves of valuable commercial timber. Here grow kaya (mahogany, or mahogany), high chlorophora, prickly argan (the so-called iron tree) and the famous cola. Temperatures in the forest zone are also high, but their amplitude is greater than in the coastal zone, and the humidity and precipitation are lower - usually less than 1500 mm per year. The vegetation of the Sudanese zone gradually changes from savanna woodlands in the south, where Guinean oil palms, acacias, breadfruit trees and baobabs rise among the grasses, to true grass savannas further north. Average monthly temperatures range from 30°C in April to 25°C in August-September. Two seasons are clearly expressed - wet (June - October) and dry (December - February), when the northeast harmatan wind blows from the Sahara. The animal world is distinguished by its richness and diversity of species. In the forests there are monkeys, elephants, hippos, forest antelopes, buffaloes, in the savannahs - different types of antelopes, predators - leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals. Characterized by an abundance of birds, snakes and insects. The tsetse fly is widespread. Created to protect wild animals National parks(Komoe, Tan, Marahue, Mont Peno) and nature reserves (Nimba).
Population. According to the 1988 census, 10.8 million people lived in Côte d'Ivoire, and in 1998 - about 15 million. In the early 1990s, the birth rate was 49 per 1 thousand people, and the death rate was 15 per 1 thousand people, i.e. natural increase reached 3% per year.In 1985, more than 42% of the country's inhabitants were under 15. The most densely populated forest areas in the west and southeast of the country and on the coast. the valley of the Bandama river and the railway from Abidjan north to Burkina Faso. The largest city of Côte d'Ivoire is Abidjan (about 2 million inhabitants), followed by Bouake, a shopping center and a transport hub in the hinterland countries, Daloa in the west, Korhogo in the north, and the capital Yamoussoukro in the central region. Ethnic composition The population of Côte d'Ivoire is heterogeneous. There are five main ethnic groups. The largest of them is the Anyi-Ashanti group (Baule, Anyi and Abro), concentrated in the forests in the southeast of the country. southwest (west of the Bandama River. The Mande group (Malinke, Diula) lives mainly in the northwestern mountainous regions. The Senufo live in the savannahs in the north, and the Dan and Guru live in the savanna woodlands in the middle part of the Bandama River basin. . About 40% of the inhabitants of Côte d'Ivoire profess Islam, 25% are Christians, the rest are animists. The Muslim population predominates in the northwest, Muslims include the majority of the Mande and a large part of the Senufo. The stronghold of Christianity is the south, where at the end of the 19th century. the first Christian missions appeared. The population of Abidjan is almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians. 30% of the population are foreign nationals, predominantly from Burkina Faso and Mali, who are employed in agricultural work. They make up about a third of the country's wage earners. Abidjan has a population of approx. 90 thousand Lebanese and Syrians and 35 thousand Europeans, mostly French. According to the UN, in Côte d'Ivoire in 1997 there were 220 thousand refugees from Liberia. Some of them are integrated into the local society, the rest, with the assistance of the UN, are repatriated to their homeland or resettled in Sierra Leone. The official language of the country is French. Among more Of the 60 African languages, the most widely spoken languages ​​are the Kru (especially Anyi) and Mande (especially Malinke) groups.
Public education. During the years of independence, significant progress has been made in the development of the education system. In 1947, 9% of children of the corresponding age studied in the country's primary schools, and in 1993 - approx. 70%. In 1995 ok. 30% of budget expenditures were directed to education. During the colonial period, the system built on the French model schooling aimed at preparing students for continuing education in high school and the university. However, the government of independent Côte d'Ivoire made changes to this system, focusing on the development of technical schools, whose graduates could replace Europeans in key positions in the economy. In 1994, 1,554 thousand children studied in primary schools, 448 thousand in secondary schools ., in technical schools- 8.9 thousand, and at the National University in Abidjan - 15.5 thousand students.
Political system. According to the 1960 constitution, the head of state and government is the president, who is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of five years. The president appoints and removes members of the government who are personally accountable to him. Legislature- a unicameral National Assembly of 175 deputies who are elected by universal and direct suffrage simultaneously with the president for a five-year term on a single national list. Although the constitution formally provides for the separation of powers, the actual powers of the National Assembly are very limited. The highest court is the Supreme Court. Administratively, the territory of the country is divided into 49 departments. Each of them has an elected General Council, which adopts the local budget. The chief executive of the department is the prefect, representing the central government. The leading political force is the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (DPKI), led by President Henri Conan Bedier. The party arose from the first mass organization - the African Agricultural Syndicate, an association of large agricultural producers created at the end of World War II by the future first president of the country Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who was then a leader, doctor and entrepreneur.In 1946-1950, this party collaborated with the French Communist Party, but then F. Houphouet-Boigny broke with the communists and began to pursue a policy of close cooperation with the French government.In the post-war period, in Côte d'Ivoire created other parties. However, since none of them enjoyed mass support, the DNAI won the first general election in 1957 and remained in power until the death of its leader F. Houphouet-Boigny in 1993. It was the only party that fielded candidates in the elections of 1959, 1960, 1965 , 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985. After the introduction of a multi-party system in 1990, the first alternative presidential elections were held, in which the rival F. Houphouet-Boigny was a veteran of the opposition movement and the leader of the Ivoire popular front(INF) Laurent Gbagbo was defeated. In the same year, a constitutional amendment was adopted regarding the order of succession of power. It provided that in the event of the death of F. Houphouet-Boigny as president sovereignty in the country passes to his fellow tribesman, the chairman of the National Assembly, Henri Conan Bedier. At the same time, an amendment was made to the constitution to create the post of prime minister, thereby creating a second center of power, the head of which could also apply for the presidency. Alassane Ouattara was appointed prime minister. When F. Houphouet-Boigny died on December 7, 1993, Gbagbo and Ouattara opposed the transfer of power to Bedier. However, France decided the dispute in favor of Bedier, almost immediately recognizing him as the legitimate president. Two days after the death of F. Houphouet-Boigny, A. Ouattara resigned from the post of prime minister. After the 1990 elections, an atmosphere of political instability and tension persisted in the country. In the 1995 presidential election, Bedier won. Ouattara was denied the right to run in these elections, since only an indigenous citizen who had lived in the country for the past five years could become a candidate for the presidency. Supporters of Ouattara, formerly members of the PDKI, have formed a new centrist party, the Rally Republicans (OR). United in the ranks of the Republican Front (FR) OR, INF and other opposition parties created a political counterbalance to the DPKI. The foreign policy course of independent Côte d'Ivoire was distinguished by its pro-European orientation and conservatism. The country's government is a consistent supporter of close Afro-French cooperation. Although Côte d'Ivoire became the first Black African state to establish diplomatic relations with South Africa (1992), it provided significant support fight against the apartheid regime. Côte d'Ivoire played a leading role in the creation of the Union of Concord - an amorphous political and economic association, which includes Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo, as well as the pro-French Common Afro-Mauritian Organization (OKAM) . Under the Lome Convention, Côte d'Ivoire enjoys economic benefits in relations with the EU. Since 1960, a member of the UN, and since 1963 - the Organization of African Unity. In 1995, Côte d'Ivoire joined the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) and provided significant support the efforts of this organization to end the civil war in Liberia (1989-1997). However, unlike other members of ECOWAS, Côte d'Ivoire did not send its troops as part of the peacekeeping force (ECOMOG) to Liberia and even allowed the fighters of Charles Taylor's Liberian group to be on its territory. After ECOMOG planes mistakenly dropped bombs on the border region of Côte d'Ivoire near Danane, his relations with the ECOWAS countries became more complicated.
Economy. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the most economically developed states among the former colonies of French West Africa. In 1996, GDP amounted to $ 10.4 billion, or about $ 707 per capita. In the 1960s, the economic growth was 11% per year, in the 1970s - early 1980s - 6%. In 1987-1989, prices for the main export items of Côte d'Ivoire - coffee and cocoa - fell sharply on the world market, and in 1987- 1994 GDP did not increase, and sometimes even decreased. In the early 1980s, the country's external debt reached a critical level. The government was forced to negotiate with foreign creditors, the IMF and the World Bank to defer loan payments. In 1991, the authorities of Côte d'Ivoire launched an economic restructuring program that included cutting government spending, liberalizing the economy, and withdrawing the state from many areas of economic activity. In 1994, the CFA franc was devalued by 50%, but this was followed by a temporary increase prices and the economy began to rise, as a result of which export sales increased by almost 33% in 1995. In the late 1990s, the average annual GDP growth was approximately 5%. Côte d'Ivoire maintains close relations with France, which provides it with significant economic help. French investors account for most of the foreign private investment. Europeans occupy many key positions in the Ivorian economy, and most industrial enterprises are owned by foreign capital. In the 1990s, the main task remains the development of the national economy, which requires further structural reforms. the fact that the government supported measures to develop and diversify agricultural production. Agriculture plays an important role in the country's economy, employing approx. 60% of the working population. The main commercial products are coffee, cocoa beans, cotton and bananas. Côte d'Ivoire is a leading supplier of cocoa beans to the world market. Income from the sale of cocoa beans and valuable wood species (primarily mahogany) abroad accounts for approximately 75% of all export earnings. In the late 1960s In 1999, the country began to export pineapples, rubber, and palm oil.Most of the export crops and timber are produced in the forest zone in the south of the country, but income inequality in both regions has significantly reduced due to the increase in cotton production in the north. Whereas in the interwar period most of the coffee and cocoa beans were grown on large plantations owned by Europeans, in the 1960s these crops were cultivated mainly on small farms of African peasants. Other export crops continue to be grown on European plantations. Logging is carried out mainly by foreign companies. Large planters hire workers from neighboring countries, mainly from Burkina Faso. The main food crops grown for own consumption or for sale in the domestic market are yams, sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas and rice. In addition, taro is cultivated (for the sake of edible tubers rich in starch), corn, and in the north of the country - millet and sorghum. Animal husbandry is less developed, including the breeding of sheep, goats, poultry and cattle. The development of this industry is limited to the far north, since the rest of the territory is included in the range of the tse-tse fly. An important sector of the economy of Côte d'Ivoire is fishing, primarily tuna mining; canned fish is one of the important export items. The mining industry plays an insignificant role in the country's economy. The exception is diamond mining (84.3 thousand carats in 1994). Gold placers are exploited on a small scale. Large reserves of high-quality iron ore have been discovered in the Bangolo region. In the 1970s and 1980s, the development of oil and gas fields on the shelf began in Côte d'Ivoire, but in the early 1990s, the level of oil production dropped sharply. In the mid-1990s, new oil reserves were discovered on the continental shelf. In independent Côte d'Ivoire, industry developed rapidly. In this regard, of the former colonies of French West Africa, only Senegal is ahead of it. The share of industry in GDP in 1995 was 20% against 8% in 1960. In the 1950s, the main industries were food, cotton, woodworking, brick and tile production, as well as soap making New industries have been created during the years of independence: the assembly of bicycles and cars from imported parts, the production of steel frames and metal containers, chemical, pharmaceutical, the production of plastics and matches, oil refining and canning Most industrial enterprises are located in Abidjan, Bouake and their environs. Further development of the industry of Côte d "Ivoire rests on the need to expand the energy base. In 1995, the country produced 2,915 million kilowatts of electricity, 60% of which is generated by hydroelectric power stations. The capacity of the Kosu HPP, built on the Bandama River in 1972 and then considered one of the largest in Africa, is 175,000 kWh. In 1994, the new Vridi power plant, powered by local gas, went into operation. From 1960 to 1980, the volume of foreign trade of Côte d'Ivoire increased annually by an average of 7%. In subsequent years, the growth rate of exports slowed down and in 1980-1990 was about 1.9% per year, and in 1990-1995 - less than 1 In 1996, the value of exports was $4.4 billion and imports were $2.5 billion. , timber and lumber, cotton, fish, bananas, palm oil and natural rubber. Traditionally, Côte d'Ivoire's agricultural exports enjoyed trading privileges in the French market, and later in the EEC countries. In the 1990s, France, Nigeria and Mali remained the main trading partners of Cote d'Ivoire. After 1960, a significant part of coffee was sent to the United States. Most of the foreign trade operations are carried out through the port of Abidjan. Foreign and wholesale trade of Cote d'Ivoire is controlled by several large European companies. Often, Syrian and Lebanese entrepreneurs are intermediaries between companies and manufacturers. Most of the retail trade is in the hands of small African traders. Côte d'Ivoire is part of the French franc zone. The country's currency, the CFA franc, is issued by the Central Bank of West African States, which also serves Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The transport system was created to serve the export sector of the country's economy and provide access to seaports for Burkina Faso.Almost all major roads pass through the territory southern regions countries where most of the export products are produced. In 1996, the total length of motor roads was 55,000 km, of which paved roads accounted for approx. 6 thousand km. In 1972, the construction of a deep-water port in San Pedro was completed. Abidjan is connected by rail to the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou (its length in Côte d'Ivoire is 660 km). There are international airports in Abidjan and Yamoussoukro. See below
Côte d "Ivoire. HISTORY
LITERATURE

The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures are 25-30 °C everywhere, but the amount of precipitation and its regime are different. In the equatorial climate zone, oceanic air dominates all year round and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which reaches 2400 mm per year (mainly in March-June and December-January). In the north - in the subequatorial climate - there is less precipitation (1100-1800 mm) and a dry winter period is pronounced.

Geography

The surface of the country is predominantly flat, low in the south in the oceanic zone and turning into a low-mountain plateau 500-800 m high in the north. In the west, in the mountains of Dan - the highest point in the country (1340 m). Almost throughout the territory there are outcrops of ancient rocks of the African Platform: in the west and north, granites predominate, in the east - clay shales. Deposits of gold, diamonds, manganese, and iron ores have been discovered here. The shore of the Gulf of Guinea is slightly indented and separated from the sea by a strip of sand drifts. The main rivers - Komoe, Bandama, Sasandra, Cavalli - are not navigable.

Flora and fauna

In the vegetation cover in the south, moist equatorial forests are widespread, where more than 600 species of trees grow, including valuable species (about 35 species are used for timber harvesting, of which 5 species are mahogany). To the north, moist forests give way to a forest savanna, into which islands of gallery forests are wedged along the river valleys. Further north, the islands of trees disappear and most of the territory is covered with tall grass savannah. Both vegetation and animal world The Ivory Coast is better preserved than in other countries of West Africa: in the forests there are numerous monkeys (monkeys, chimpanzees, Gverets, etc.), there are elephants, hippos, forest antelopes, bush pigs, water deer; in the savannas there are various types of antelopes, as well as leopard, cheetah, serval. A network of nature reserves and national parks has been created, including on the slopes of Mount Nimba (on the border with Guinea and Liberia), the Banco National Park near Abidjan.

Population

The population of Côte d'Ivoire includes representatives of more than 55 linguistic communities, many of which have a peculiar exotic culture. There are three subgroups of nationalities: Guinean (Kru, Baule, Anyi, etc.), Volt (Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Kulango, Mosi) and Mande (Malinke and others). The majority of the population is employed in agriculture (cocoa, coffee, etc.) and retains both the traditional way of life and traditional animistic beliefs.

Big cities

The country's largest city is Abidjan (about 4.4 million inhabitants), whose rapid growth began after 1950. Now it is an industrial center, a major port, there is a university, a research center. Abidjan is a modern city with numerous hotels, restaurants and other elements of tourism infrastructure. The capital of Côte d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, where 281 thousand people live. Other major cities of the country are Bwake, San Pedro, Korhogo, Ferkesedugu.

History

The territory of modern Côte d'Ivoire was inhabited by pygmies as early as the 1st millennium BC. Soon other peoples began to move there, the first of them were the Senufo.

For the first time, Europeans began to land on the shores of modern Côte d'Ivoire in the 15th century. The Portuguese, Dutch, Danes visited here then. The Portuguese visited here in the 1460s. Colonization began with the arrival of the French, who from the middle of the 19th century began the economic development of the land. Local tribes were destroyed until 1917. The French exported diamonds and gold, coffee and cocoa from here, had banana plantations here. On March 10, 1893, the Ivory Coast was declared a colony of France, and in 1895 included in French West Africa. The Ivory Coast became a major producer of coffee and cocoa for the French markets. In 1934, Abidjan was declared the center of the colony. In 1945, the first political party arose - the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast, at first leaning towards Marxism, but from the beginning of the 50s it switched to positions close to the French right. In 1957, France granted local government to the colony.

On August 7, 1960, the independence of the country was proclaimed. the leader of the Democratic Party, Houphouet-Boigny, became its president, the DP became the ruling and sole party. The principle of inviolability of private property was proclaimed. The country continued to be an agrarian and raw materials appendage of France, but by African standards, its economy was in good condition, economic growth rates reached 11% per year. The Ivory Coast in 1979 became the world leader in the production of cocoa beans, but success in this area was based on a good market environment and a combination of great managers, foreign investment and a large number of cheap labor, mainly guest workers from neighboring countries. However, in the 1980s, the prices for coffee and cocoa on world markets fell, in 1982-1983 the country suffered a severe drought, an economic recession began; by the end of the 1980s, per capita foreign debt exceeded that of all African countries except Nigeria. Under public pressure, Houphouet-Boigny made political concessions, legalized alternative ruling political parties, initiated the electoral process, and in 1990 was elected president.

In 1993, he died, and the country was headed by Henri Conan Bedier, who had long been considered his heir. In 1995, a forum was held on investment in the country's economy, in which Russian companies also participated. In the late 90s, political instability increased, Bedier had a serious competitor: Allasan Ouattara, but he is a Burkina by origin, while the country's constitution allowed only Ivorians to vote. This circumstance greatly deepened the already outlined split of society along ethnic lines. By that time, from a third to a half of the country's population were people of foreign origin, mainly working earlier in agriculture, which had fallen into decline due to the bad economic situation.

On December 25, 1999, a military coup took place in the country, the organizer of which, Robert Guey, held the presidential elections the following year, marked by fraud and riots. Opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo was officially declared the winner of the election. On September 19, 2002, a military rebellion was organized in Abdijan, which was suppressed, but became the beginning of a civil war between political groups representing the north and south of the country. In 2003, an agreement was reached to end the clashes, but the situation continued to be unstable. A lasting peace agreement was only signed in the spring of 2007.

Politics

Côte d'Ivoire is a presidential republic. The president of the country is elected by direct vote for a term of 5 years with the possibility of re-election only once. He has full executive power, appoints and dismisses the prime minister. The president has the legislative initiative along with the parliament (unicameral).

The state of Côte d'Ivoire was previously called the Ivory Coast. It was a French colony and gained independence only in 1960. Today it is a presidential republic, which is known for its well-developed agriculture. And thanks to the tropical climate and many beautiful places, every year it attracts all more tourists.

Cote d'Ivoire in the pre-colonial period

To begin with, it is worth telling where the Ivory Coast is located. This country is located in West Africa on the Guinean coast. It begins its history in the distant I millennium BC. At this time, its territory was inhabited by pygmies who were engaged in such primitive crafts as gathering and hunting.

Later, around the 11th century, other peoples came here from the northwest - the Senufo, who were forced out by the Mande tribes in the 15th-16th centuries. They, after 2-3 hundred years, became the creators of a powerful trading state, which they called Kong.

colonial period

From the beginning of the 15th century, Europeans began to enter the territory of Kong. They were from Denmark, Portugal and Holland. They bought gold, ivory from the local population and acquired slaves.

The French were the first to settle on the coast. The landing of the missionaries took place in 1637 and was doomed - they were immediately destroyed by the natives. After 50 years, the French again made an attempt to establish a settlement here. This time they were well armed. A little later, in the 18th century, French missionaries decided to expand their possessions by organizing two more residential camps. However, they only lasted a few years.

Another group of immigrants from France arrived on the Ivory Coast in 1842 and built Fort Grand Bassam on the coast. And four years later they established a protectorate over most of the local tribes. Beginning in 1887, the French gradually entered into pacts with the natives and within six years established borders with the Gold Coast and with Liberia. The state received the status of a French colony in 1893, a couple of years later the Ivory Coast was allocated as part of French West Africa, and in 1946 it was called an overseas territory of France.

Declaration of Independence

The Ivory Coast became an independent state on August 7, 1960, led by President Houphouet-Boigny, who was the leader of the Democratic Party. And it was she who was the only ruling body. According to the published laws, private property became inviolable, but the country at the same time remained an appendage of France.

The state economy at that time was in excellent condition, and its growth rate reached 11% per annum. In 1979, the Ivory Coast was recognized as the world leader in the production of cocoa beans. But he owed much of his success to a large number inexpensive labor force, investment coming from abroad, and a very good business environment.

economic downturn

In connection with the fall in prices for cocoa and coffee, which happened in 1980, the country's economy was in a very deplorable state. Plus, 1982-1983. turned out to be arid, which led to an even sharper recession in the economy and an increase in external debt. Houphouet-Boigny had to make concessions: he legalized several more parties, which became an alternative to the one of which he himself was the head, and initiated the electoral process. In 1990 he was proclaimed president.

In this post, Houphouet-Boigny did not rule for long - he died 3 years later. Then his place was taken by the legitimate heir - Henri Conan Bedier. By the end of the century, the political situation was very unstable, and since only Ivorians were allowed to vote at that time, the ethnic division of society only exacerbated the situation.

War activities

A military coup took place in the country in 1999. It was organized by Robert Guey, who held regular elections the following year. Laurent Gbagbo, who was the leader of the opposition, was declared the winner.

In 2002, a civil war was brewing. It began with a military coup that took place on December 25 of the same year. The war went on between the southern and northern parts of the country for several years. And despite the fact that already in 2003 it was possible to sign an agreement to end the clashes, a lasting peace became only in the spring of 2007.

State symbols

The flag of the Ivory Coast, now Côte d'Ivoire, is a rectangular canvas with three vertical stripes of the same size: orange on the left, white in the center and green on the right.

The emblem appeared in the 17th century, and it depicts the symbol of the country - an elephant.

Origin of names

The coast of the Gulf of Guinea was previously called the Gold Coast, the Ivory Coast and the Slave Coast. And each of these names had its own meaning.

For example, the Gold Coast got its name in the 15th century. It was so named by sailors from Portugal, who mined gold here. In the same century, the name Ivory Coast appeared. Why is it called so? At that time, Portuguese merchants bought ivory from the local population here. In the XVI-XVII centuries, the Slave Coast was one of the main areas of the slave trade - it was from here that slaves were taken out of Africa.

And everyone knows what the Ivory Coast is called today. In the 16th century, European industrialists called it Côte d'Ivoire.

local architecture

Having figured out what the name of the Ivory Coast says, it is worth moving on to the architecture of the republic. Traditional houses of the local population have various architectural forms. For example, in the southern part of the republic there are square or rectangular wooden houses with a gable roof made of palm leaves. In the center one can find rectangular mud houses, often with rounded corners. They have a flat roof, and the outer surfaces of the walls are decorated with geometric patterns depicting birds, animals, or mystical creatures. Primary colors: black, yellow and red. In other quarters there are round or oval dwellings with straw cone-shaped roofs.

Today, the territory of the previously modest Ivory Coast is increasingly becoming like a modern city. Luxurious hotels and large supermarkets appear here, built of reinforced concrete and covered with wide glass sheets.

Folk craft and art

Côte d'Ivoire is able to offer tourists a lot of souvenirs. First of all, these are wooden masks. Moreover, among different peoples they have their own original form, some are equipped with a movable jaw. The figurines of animals, distant ancestors and patron spirits are also a reflection of the local culture. On sale you can also find figurines for children.

The locals are engaged in weaving baskets. The material for them is a mat made of reed, straw or ordinary rope. Pottery is also flourishing - various kitchen utensils and elements for interior decoration are made here. And jewelers can offer original jewelry made of bronze, copper and tin.

The production of batik is developing well in the country, when amazing paintings with floral patterns or animals are made directly on fabrics. By the way, the products of some nations today can be seen in the world's most famous museums.

The Ivory Coast is also famous for its talented artists, among them Kajo Zhdems Hura. He and other masters of painting (about 40 people) in 1983 took part in a professional exhibition organized in Côte d'Ivoire by the National Association of Artists.

Best time to travel to Ivory Coast

If you want to visit the south of the country, you should remember that a humid and hot tropical climate prevails here. It is characterized by rainy seasons followed by dry weather. In the northern part, the rains end in September, and from October until May, the drought lasts.

The most interesting time to spend in Côte d'Ivoire is in winter and spring. For example, in February, the Mask Festival is traditionally held here - a very popular event that gathers huge crowds of people. In March, it is worth driving to Bouakou, and in April - to Fete du Dipri, where a very spectacular celebration is held with ceremonies that help exorcise evil spirits.

Holidays for every taste

The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, is an amazing place where you will find almost everything: both a beach holiday and contemplation of beauty natural nature, and immersion in the local color, and sightseeing, and unbridled nightlife, and a bustling market, and even a casino.

The most convenient beaches are located in the Sasandra area, where you can not only enjoy the beautiful coastline and soft sand, but also surf. And in the villages located nearby, locals offer tourists to taste real palm wine and learn all about the life of African tribes. Travelers will be taught how to fish and ride on a real pie.

If you love nature, then be sure to visit the Parc du Banquo. These are real tropics, which are located in the very center of a dynamic metropolis. Such a contrast will surprise anyone.

In the evening it is worth going to Treyshvil. It is here that you can find several trendy nightclubs at once and have a fun end to your day.

National parks

In the south-west of the country there are national parks: Marahuz and Tan. They occupy approximately 3.6 thousand km2, and it is here that you will find an amazingly preserved natural forest. The height of some trees in it reaches 50 meters. Due to their age, they have massive trunks and powerful rhizomes. This unique place will give you an unforgettable experience: tourists will find relic nature here, long lianas and fast streams of natural waters. But it should be remembered that a walk through this charming landscape will require a lot of effort from the traveler, as it is located in the rainy zone, where the humidity is always high. Therefore, it is better to come here in winter - during the dry period. And before visiting, do not forget to take a special permit from the Ministry of Forests of Abidjan.

The largest national park is located in the western part - this is Komoe. You will be able to see the most beautiful mountain range, bamboo forests, picturesque waterfalls and observe how animals behave in their natural habitat: after walking along the animal paths, the tourist will learn how herds find water during the drought season.

Top Attractions

In the capital of the Ivory Coast, the city of Yamoussoukro, there is a magnificent basilica of Notre Dame de la Paix. It is an exact copy of the Roman Cathedral of St. Peter, and at the same time its size is somewhat larger. The President of the country spent his own funds for its construction, and the result was impressive. The columns of the temple are covered with metal bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Sunlight passing through the stained-glass windows is reflected on the walls with different colors, and the sacral complex is decorated with marble. It is better to come here at Christmas, when the local population gathers in the basilica and traditional music is played.

Another attraction that deserves special attention is St. Paul's Cathedral, covered with exquisite frescoes. It is made in architectural modernity, and right in front of it is a tower in the form of a figure of the saint himself in long robes.

Most Popular Cities

The local population recommends that tourists start exploring Côte d'Ivoire from the city of Abidjan. It is the largest in the country and is an important seaport. Due to its amazing beauty, it is also called the Paris of West Africa. The elegant city is located on four islands and has chic buildings on its territory, next to which are green parks and tropical forests. In the center is the Saint-Paul Cathedral. It was built by the Italians and consecrated in 1985 by the Pope. The Ivory Hotel also deserves attention here - this is the most popular hotel, which is the real pride of the locals. Abidjan has tall skyscrapers, beautiful modern roads with multi-level interchanges, as well as large shopping centers, cafes and restaurants.

The second unique city is the exact opposite of luxurious Abidjan. This is Korhogo, which is home to local wood carvers. It is in this place that you can order a unique mask for yourself, which will become an accurate reflection of your character. Craftsmen will offer you a choice of several types of wood and, before starting work, they will try to find out what kind of person you are. In this place, the traveler will be able to get acquainted with several communities at once, each of which was able to preserve its cultural heritage. But it will be especially interesting to observe their ritual rites.

The Ivory Coast is not only a state

The old name of Côte d'Ivoire is also related to the modern floriculture sector. This is the name of a houseplant - Ivory Coast (Hosta). Its description is as follows. In the central part, the leaves are bluish-blue, and a light border runs along the edges, like sand scattered along the coast.

In dry weather, its leaves should be sprayed from a spray bottle and wiped from dust from time to time. Flower Hosta Ivory Coast is unpretentious and grows well in bright rooms. With such care, it will grow into a lush bush and will delight the eye of its owner for a long time.

Inspired by this amazing country, Jacollio Louis published a book in 1989 called "Ebony and Ivory Coast". This is a fascinating story about journeys, during which the main character finds himself and transforms as a person. The work is saturated with colors, colors and incredible energy. From the first pages, it captures the reader with its plot, which you want to unravel. And the denouement at the same time turns out to be ingenious and simple at the same time.

Cote d'Ivoire. Ivory Coast. West Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean. The territory, which the Ivorians themselves call the Land of Hope.

Once, a thousand years before our era, the first inhabitants settled here - pygmies. Europeans came here in the 15th century. At the end of the 19th century, Côte d'Ivoire became a colony of France, supplying it with cocoa beans, bananas and mahogany. In 1960 the country became independent. In the 2000s, Côte d'Ivoire is riots, coups, civil war and closed borders. Just ten years ago, the country gained stability. And, finally, tourists began to visit it again, for whom the government of Côte d'Ivoire is trying to create the most favorable conditions.

The country deserves a tourist boom, it has everything for this: a good climate, unique nature, exotic animals, an interesting culture of local peoples (and there are more than 60 of them here!), magnificent sandy beaches on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, interesting sights, a lot of hotels of various levels and three international airport.

But while Côte d'Ivoire is somewhat away from the beaten tourist paths, although there is a plus in this - the local population is not at all aggressive towards a white person, people are simple, friendly, and do not beg, unlike residents of countries popular among tourists. And for collectors of objects of African art - here is just a paradise.

What is interesting to see in Cote d'Ivoire?

Quite new, but already a cult object of Côte d'Ivoire. This Catholic Cathedral was built in 1985 in Abidjan - largest city country. It was consecrated by the Pope himself. A huge building, stylized as the figure of St. Paul with a cloak fluttering behind him.

It impresses even people who have no imagination and do not recognize futurism, surrealism and other cubism. Inside there are colored stained-glass windows on the African-Gospel theme. You can take pictures! Be sure to climb up to the platform of the cathedral, from where you can see the whole city and the Ebriye lagoon.

An amazing, very unusual outwardly temple is also located in Abidjan. The building is in the form of a spiral road upwards. Inside there are stained glass windows with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The temple is active, regular services are held here.

National Museum in Abidjan

The museum is a little obtuse in terms of exposition, but very interesting. Musical instruments - flutes and tom-tom drums, figurines, panels. But the most important thing is a huge collection of the famous creepy-mystical masks depicting a human face.

45 km from Abidjan is the city of Grand Bassam, which is declared a cultural heritage of mankind by UNESCO. This is a ghost town. At the end of the 19th century, it was the capital of the French colony until the yellow fever epidemic broke out.

The surviving Europeans left the city, leaving behind houses, monuments and sculptures. Mirage of the past with colonial architecture. Once luxurious buildings now have a very shabby, dilapidated appearance.

But Grand Bassam has another side: it is a resort city, it is located on the coast, there are excellent sandy beaches and many decent hotels with good food.

Notre Dame de la Paix - Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

Landmark of the capital of Côte d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro, located 240 km from Abidjan: Notre Dame de la Paix. Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

The largest cathedral in the world, included in the Guinness Book of Records, has an interesting background. Yamoussoukro, a town with a population of less than 200,000, became the capital only because it was the birthplace of the country's first president, the late Felix Houphouet-Boigny, whom the Ivorians greatly respect and call Papa Houfet. He immortalized his name by erecting the largest basilica in the world, and placing his image on the stained glass window of the church next to the face of Christ.

The huge dome of the cathedral is visible for tens of kilometers, all around is a bare savannah with hot red sand, clouding the sky during the harmatana wind blowing from the Sahara.

The temple is built of Italian marble with French stained glass windows. Hundreds of meters of stained glass! Amazing view, incredible. Bright light, pouring through colored glass, against the backdrop of the minimalist decoration of the Cathedral. Impressive.

Kong - ancient city, founded in the 11th century and once the former capital of an entire empire. It was through Kong, which was then the center of caravan trade with the Berber and Tuareg tribes, that Islam spread to the northern part of the Ivory Coast. Now Kong is a remote place, but the mosque, built in the 16th century, is perfectly preserved. National Treasure of Côte d'Ivoire.

The Tingrel Mosque is located in the town of the same name, built in 1655. The name of the mason who built it has been preserved - Massa. The mosque has been reconstructed for 10 years and is now open to the public. A very unique architectural structure.

Tai National Park UNESCO included in the category of world heritage. This is a real African exotic. 1300 species of plants and trees that grow only here! Tai is located in the south of the country, between the rivers Sasandra and Cavalha. The largest equatorial forest in West Africa, the last remnant of the Guinean selva, which once occupied the territory of several countries. There are huge, simply gigantic trees, hundreds (!) species of orchids, flocks of chimpanzees, buffaloes, leopards and pygmy hippos.

Neighborhood of the city of Man

The city of Man is located in the center of Côte d'Ivoire. Its surroundings are famous all over the world. Unique nature, 5 km from the city - bamboo forest, two mountains - the mascots of the city - Mont-Tonkui and La Dent-de-Man ("Human tooth"), La Cascade waterfall. Carnivals, holidays and a festival of those same masks are held in Manet in February.

Korhogo is the central city of the Senufo people, who preserve pagan cults and rituals. The people are famous for their crafts - blacksmithing, pottery, leather, and, of course, woodcarving - Senufo wooden masks belonging to the funeral cult, like nothing else, convey the spirit of Africa.

Some Senufo ritual ceremonies (such as the Dance of the Leopard People) are allowed for tourists to visit.

Comoe National Park is located 570 km from Abidjan, in the northeast of the country. This is another area inscribed by UNESCO to the World Heritage Fund. It is located between the rivers Buna and Komoe. All kinds of African crocodiles live here, and hippos graze in the floodplains along the rivers. You can see monkeys, hyenas and obscenely sized parrots. And many, many different migratory birds.

The name of this country alone attracts and fascinates. Try to say several times: Côte d'Ivoire ... Côte d'Ivoire ... Côte d'Ivoire ... You wanted to visit her, didn't you? Then it's time for you to go. The Ivory Coast is waiting.

P.S. Do not forget that English is not in use here, the state language is French, and many residents in the outback do not know it either.

The small state in the western part of Africa has long been known to the world as the Land of Slaves, the Land of Corn and the site of the Golden Quays. The material will introduce the country, whose name translates as the Ivory Coast. Tourists are interested in what kind of people live in this country, what nature is there, what capital. Thousands of guests come to Côte d'Ivoire every year for the sake of this attraction. The thing is that this city was built by the French, and the local architecture is very close to architecture, but at the same time has its own zest.

coffee country

The territories of the modern republic began to be settled at the beginning of the Stone Age. The first inhabitants were pygmies. But they led a nomadic lifestyle. Therefore, soon other tribes came to these lands, those that still live in the state. With the development of colonial conquest, the migration of peoples stopped.

From the end of the 15th century, Europe exported gold, timber and coffee beans from these parts. 1893 the land was declared

Tribes constantly fought for independence. The maximum uprisings occurred during recruitment in the army in connection with the First World War.

In 1934, the capital of Côte d'Ivoire was proclaimed. Abidjan became it. Soon, in 1945, the first party was founded, which until then was a union of local farmers. Felix Houphouet-Boigny created and led the organization.

In 1957, the country received the status of autonomy. And August 7, 1960 became an independent state. The leader of the aforementioned party was elected president. By 1979, the state had grown economically. It ranked first in the export of coffee beans. The following years were characterized by drought. This led to a decline in development.

City of cut leaves

Abidjan is the first official capital. Côte d'Ivoire is a unique land where each settlement has its own legend. This city was no exception. The myth says that when the first European military men intended to build a port on these shores and got off the ships, they met the local population. Peasants carried baskets with cut leaves and branches on their heads.

One of the men asked the Africans about the name of this village. But the poor did not understand French, in which people from distant lands addressed them. Moreover, they perceived unknown words as a threat. One man thought that the visitors were dissatisfied with their work. Then the daredevil called out to them in response: "Abidjan", which meant "these are cut branches." The Europeans marked the place on the map.

The temporary capital has a long history. Ivory Coast is an old country, but it began to grow only at the end of the 19th century. Abidjan was founded in 1896 by French settlers. It is located on the coast and consists of four peninsulas within the Ebriye lagoon.

The unspoken center

The population of the city, whose name still sounds like “cut leaves” in the Ebriye dialect, is about 4 million people (and another million, taking into account the suburbs). Almost everyone speaks French, which is why the city is called African Paris. This is the second point in the world in terms of the number of French-speaking people (the championship belongs to the city of the Eiffel Tower).

Despite the fact that the new capital of Côte d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, Abidjan retains its leadership position. It is the center of political life. This is the permanent place of work of the president and ministers.

Construction is actively developing here, so another unofficial name is New York of Africa. This is the territory of museums, stadiums and theaters. It has an airport and two ports.

Abidjan is also a city of football players, more than twenty of whom were finalists

Birthplace of the head of state

President Felix Houphouet-Boigny has done a lot for his country. It was under him that the republic prospered and developed. In 1983, a new capital was formed. Ivory Coast was headed by Yamoussoukro. This city is the birthplace of the first ruler. This is the reason for the transfer of the center of the state.

The settlement dates back to the end of the 19th century. It was founded by the French colonizers. It was the first center of Ivory Coast until 1934, when Abidjan took its place.

The area is located two hundred kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. The latter fact is the reason long way to economic recovery. The fact is that the Europeans preferred to invest in points that lie on the coastal zone. This is how Abidjan grew. That is why the current capital of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire remained invisible for a long time.

The new history of the city began after the declaration of independence. With the reforms of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the Ivory Coast began to rise.

provincial capital

There is an airport in the center of the country (only three cities accept planes). Outside of it, agriculture is actively developing. Yams, bananas, cocoa beans are actively grown. Animal husbandry is represented by goats and sheep. Although most industrial facilities are concentrated in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro has food and wood processing companies on its territory.

Despite the fact that the center was moved, the seat of the central government and foreign ministries remained in Abidjan. Because of this, few foreigners knew that Yamoussoukro was the capital. Côte d'Ivoire developed excellently and rapidly, and in 1960-1980 huge funds began to be invested in the city. But already in the 80s, a noticeable crisis began. Lower prices for export goods had a negative impact on development.

General information

The climate in the country varies from tropical to equatorial. The whole year is characterized by high humidity and significant precipitation. Most of the rain falls in April-July and October-November. Average temperature indicators +30.

In 2010, the population of the city was almost 250,000. Most (more than 60%) are from the Bakongo and Bate-ke tribes. Despite the fact that the official language is French, many people communicate in their native dialect.

Does not have any high-quality higher educational institutions capital. Côte d'Ivoire today has a big problem with the education system. The center of student life is Abidjan. Every teenager dreams of going to study abroad.

According to the religious composition, more than 50% are Christians, although in the whole country almost 40% profess Islam. Such a number of Muslims is due to the fact that a large proportion of them are illegal immigrants and foreign workers.

Heart of the capital

Now tourism is actively developing. Golden beaches and exotic lands are attracting more and more travelers. Not only the nature of the country is unique, but also its architecture. Proponents of such art can look at the national clay houses covered with palm leaves, or give preference to modern creations.

The pride of Yamoussoukro is the Church of Notre Dame de la Paix. Anyone who likes religious architecture knows where to go. They are aware of what kind of country it is, what capital it is. Côte d'Ivoire has long called the building its business card. It was built on the model of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. The height is 158 meters. The number of parishioners that the church can accommodate is 11,000. It was decorated with marble from Italy and French colored glass.