description Ivory Coast Overview
Ivory Coast, officially Côte d'Ivoire, is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. A former French colony independent since 1960, it has Abidjan as its largest city and economic center and Yamoussoukro as its official capital. It is the world's largest cocoa producer, with coffee, palm oil, and rubber also important exports. The population includes many ethnic groups, such as the Akan, Baoulé, Senoufo, and Dioula, and the south is covered largely by tropical forest.
help Ivory Coast FAQ
What is the capital of Ivory Coast?
The official capital is Yamoussoukro, a status it was given in 1983, but Abidjan remains the largest city and the country's economic heart. Most government institutions and business activity are still concentrated in Abidjan.
Why is the country called Côte d'Ivoire instead of Ivory Coast?
The name comes from the historic ivory trade along its coast. The government officially asks that the French name Côte d'Ivoire be used in every language rather than translated.
How much of the world's cocoa comes from Ivory Coast?
Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producer, supplying roughly 40 percent of global cocoa beans. Cocoa farming is a cornerstone of the national economy and export earnings.
What language is spoken in Ivory Coast?
French is the official language, a legacy of the colonial period that ended with independence from France in 1960. Numerous local languages such as Dioula and Baoulé are also widely spoken.
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