African country Cote d'Ivoire. Côte d'Ivoire: history, political system, population and economy. Communications in Ivory Coast

Until 1986, in Russian the name of the state sounded exactly like this: Republic of Ivory Coast.

The elephant is the country's most valuable animal and a source of ivory. The country was named after this. Ivory Coast is a former colony of France.

Ivory Coast is a country of great ethnic diversity, with more than 60 ethnic groups.

It borders Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana, and from the south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean.

State symbols

Flag– is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3 with vertical stripes of orange, white and green.
The orange stripe symbolizes the savanna and the fertility of the land in the north of the country, the white stripe symbolizes peace and unity, and the green stripe symbolizes hope and forests in the south of the country.
The flag of Niger has similar colors and the same interpretation, on which orange, white and green stripes are located horizontally. The flag was adopted on December 4, 1959.

Coat of arms– in the center of the emblem is the head of an elephant. This is the most common animal in Côte d'Ivoire, a source of ivory, in honor of which the country and people are named. The rising sun is a traditional symbol of a new beginning. The name of the state is written on the ribbon below in French. The coat of arms was adopted in 2001.

State structure

Form of government- presidential republic.
Head of State– President, elected by direct vote for a term of 5 years with the possibility of re-election once. He appoints and removes the prime minister.

Incumbent since 2011 Alassane Ouattara
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital- Yamusukro.
The largest city- Abidjan.
Official language- French. There are about 60 African languages, of which the most widely spoken is Gyula(language of intertribal communication).
Territory– 322,460 km².
Administrative division– 19 regions, which are divided into 81 departments and 2 districts.
Population– 22,400,835 people. Average life expectancy: 55 years for men, 57 years for women. Urban population is about 50%.
Religion– Muslims 39%, Christians 33% (represented by Catholics, Pentecostals from the Assemblies of God, Methodists, Adventists), aboriginal cults 11%, atheists 17%.

Currency– CFA franc.
Economy– well-developed agriculture; important producer of cocoa (first place in the world) and coffee (third place in the world).

Relatively good infrastructure. Growing oil and gas industry, significant foreign investment. The country is Africa's largest exporter of palm oil and natural rubber. The main export crops, in addition to cocoa and coffee, include bananas, cotton, sugar cane, and tobacco. Cultivation of coconut palm and peanuts is also developed.

Wood harvesting
In the forests, valuable species of wood are harvested (including black (ebony) wood), and Hevea juice is collected (for the production of rubber). Sheep and goats are bred for agricultural needs; commercial fishing is carried out.
Oil and gas are produced mainly on the continental shelf. Deposits of nickel, manganese and iron ores, bauxite, diamonds and gold are also being developed. Export: cocoa, coffee, timber, oil, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish. Import: petroleum products, industrial goods, food.
Education– literacy: 60% men, 38% women. Primary 6-year education is compulsory from the age of 6. Secondary 7-year education from age 12 takes place in two cycles. A network of educational institutions providing vocational and technical education has been created. The higher education system includes 3 universities and 8 colleges.
Sport– The most popular type is football.

The country's football team at the 2010 World Cup.
Armed forces– The national army was formed in 1961. The armed forces consist of the ground forces, air force, navy, paramilitary presidential guard and a 10,000-strong contingent of reservists. Gendarmerie and police units. people In December 2001, compulsory military service was introduced.

Nature

A tropical forest

It is a predominantly flat country, the coastal zone is covered with dense tropical forests. In the north and center of the country there is a vast savannah. The climate is equatorial in the south and subequatorial in the north.

The main rivers are Sassandra, Bandama and Comoe. None of them are navigable more than 65 km from the mouth due to numerous rapids and a sharp decrease in water levels during the dry season.
There are many national parks, in this regard the country ranks one of the first in West Africa.

African leopard
Fauna: jackals, hyenas, leopards, elephants, chimpanzees, crocodiles, antelopes, hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, wild boars, lions, monkeys, panthers, etc. Several types of lizards and poisonous snakes. A lot of fish.

Culture

Traditional folk dwelling

Wooden sculpture, including ritual masks, is popular. In addition to traditional figurines depicting ancestors, animals and patron spirits, Baule craftsmen make small toy figures for children.

House painting
Artistic folk crafts are developed: weaving baskets and mats from ropes, straw and reeds, pottery, painting the outside of houses, making jewelry from bronze, gold and copper, weaving.

The production of batik is developed - original paintings on fabrics depicting animals or plant patterns.
Professional fine art began to develop after independence. Famous artist Kadjo Jdeims Hura.

Artist Ben Heine born in 1983 in Abidjan (Republic of Cote d'Ivoire), and now lives and works in Brussels. He is not only a talented illustrator, but also a polyglot: he is fluent in English, French and Dutch, and also speaks a little Polish , Spanish and Russian.Exhibitions of his works are held in many countries around the world.
He recently unveiled a series of huge 3D pencil drawings. The highlight of them is that the master himself penetrates “inside” virtual reality, at least, looking at the paintings, this is exactly the impression that is created.
Modern literature based on the traditions of oral folk art and develops mainly in French. The most important of the writers is considered to be a poet, prose writer and playwright Bernard Dadier.
Musical and dance art is an important part of the culture of the peoples of Côte d'Ivoire. Common musical instruments include balafons, tom-tom drums, guitars, kora (xylophone), rattles, horns, harps and lutes, rattles, trumpets and flutes.
In 1938, the Native Theater was created in Abidjan.
The first film “On the Dunes of Solitude” was shot by director T. Basori in 1963.

Tourism

The conditions for the development of the tourism industry are good: a favorable climate, a variety of rich flora and fauna, sandy beaches on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea and the original culture of local peoples. Attractions in Abidjan: National Museum (traditional arts and crafts, including a rich collection of masks), Chardy art gallery.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ivory Coast

Mont Nimba

A protected area in the Nimba Mountains in the territories of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.
The reserve contains three main types of vegetation: mountain meadows, forests and savanna. Meadows grow on the top of the mountain. Lower down the slope there are myrtaceae. Forests are mainly located in the valleys and at the foot of the mountain. Endemic species also live on the territory of the reserve. The viviparous toad is found here, as well as the western subspecies of chimpanzee.

Tai National Park

Located in the west of the country, on the border with Liberia. Created to protect one of the last tracts of equatorial rainforest in West Africa.
It is located at an altitude of 80 to 396 m, the highest point is Mount Nyenokue. The park is located on a plateau intersected by several deep valleys. All drainage from the park occurs into the Kavalya River basin. There are swamps in the southwest of the park.

The park is the last large remnant of the Upper Guinea forest, which once occupied the territories of modern Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. About 90% of the Ivory Coast's tropical forests have been destroyed in the last 50 years. The park is home to 1,300 species of higher plants, of which about 50 are endemic.
Among the mammals, there are 11 species of monkeys, including chimpanzees and several species of monkeys, pygmy hippopotamus, bongo, African buffalo, and several species of duikers.

The elephant population is about 750 individuals.

Comoe National Park

Established in 1977, the park was originally designated a World Heritage Site due to the diversity of plants along the banks of the Comoe River, including intact areas of tropical rainforest.

The floodplains along the Comoe River create seasonal grasslands that provide grazing land for the hippopotamus population. Three extant species of African crocodiles (Nile, African narrow-snouted and blunt-snouted) live in different areas of the park, and migratory birds use its seasonal wetlands. The park is home to rare species of animals: the golden-helmeted kalao, the hyena-like dog, and the blunt-snouted crocodile.

Golden-helmed kalao

wild dog

Historic city of Grand-Bassam

French colonial capital from 1893 to 1896, when administration was moved to Bingerville following an outbreak of yellow fever. Grand-Bassam remained the main port of the colony until the 1930s, when this function was transferred to Abidjan.

Other attractions of the country

Abidjan

The largest city in Cote d'Ivoire and the second most populous French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Its population is 3,802,000 people. Located on 4 peninsulas on the shores of the Ebrier Lagoon. Founded in 1896.

Yamoussoukro

Presidential palace
The administrative capital of Cote d'Ivoire. Yamoussoukro is home to the largest church in the world - the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Paix, the architecture of which is reimagined based on the motifs of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome.

The building, 158 m high, can accommodate 7,000 seated parishioners and another 11,000 for standing parishioners. For the construction of the basilica, marble was imported from Italy and colored glass from France.

Story

In the territory of modern Cote d'Ivoire in the 1st century BC they lived pygmies(a group of short Negroid peoples). It was the time of the Stone Age, the pygmies were engaged in hunting and gathering. Gradually, other African peoples began to move here, the first of them being the Senufo.
In the XV-XVI centuries. The Mande tribes came from the north, pushing back the Senufo. At the beginning of the 18th century. The Mande created the state of Kong, which became an important trading and Islamic center in West Africa.

Colonial period

The first Europeans began to land on the shores of modern Cote d'Ivoire in the 15th century. First of all, they were the Portuguese, as well as the Dutch and Danes. The Europeans bought ivory, gold, and slaves from the aborigines.
But the first settlers were French missionaries who landed there in 1637. Their first settlement was destroyed by the aborigines. In 1687 a new French mission was created.
Since 1842, a new wave of French interest in the Ivory Coast began. They restored the fort of Grand-Bassam and their protectorate over almost all the coastal tribes.
From 1887, within two years, the French concluded treaties with most of the tribes from the coast to the modern northern border of the country. In 1892, borders were established with Liberia, and in 1893 with the British colony of the Gold Coast (modern Ghana).
In 1895, Ivory Coast was incorporated into French West Africa. The French began to develop the production of export crops there (coffee, cocoa, bananas, etc.), mine diamonds, gold, manganese ore, and develop forest resources. They also developed infrastructure: they built railways, highways, and seaports.
In 1946, Ivory Coast was granted the status of an overseas territory of France. In March 1958, the Autonomous Republic of Ivory Coast was proclaimed.

Independence

The country's independence was proclaimed on August 7, 1960. Leader of the Democratic Party Houphouet-Boigny became its president.

The principle of the inviolability of private property was proclaimed, but the country continued to remain an agricultural and raw material appendage of France, albeit with a good economy: in 1979, the Ivory Coast became the world leader in the production of cocoa beans.
But in the 1980s. prices for coffee and cocoa on world markets fell, and in 1982-1983. There was a severe drought in the country. The economic recession began. In 1993, Houphouët-Boigny died, and the country was led by Henri Conan Bedier.

At the end of the 1990s. political instability increased. On December 25, 1999, a military coup took place in the country, organized by Robert Guei, a former army officer. He held presidential elections in 2000, but did not win them; the leader of the opposition was recognized as the winner of the elections Laurent Gbagbo.

On September 19, 2002, a military mutiny was carried out against him in Abidjan, organized by Robert Guei. During the rebellion, Gaei was killed. The rebellion was suppressed, but served as the beginning of a civil war between political factions representing the north and south of the country.

Since late 2002, Liberia has intervened in the conflict. France took Gbagbo’s side and helped the president with its armed forces.
In 2003, an agreement was reached between the official authorities and the rebels to end the clashes, but the situation continued to remain unstable.
A lasting peace agreement was only signed in the spring of 2007.
At the end of 2010, presidential elections were held in Côte d'Ivoire, which resulted in an acute political crisis and then into a civil war. During a joint operation of the UN and French troops, Laurent Gbagbo was removed from power, and the new president became Alassane Ouattara.

The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is one of the countries located in West Africa. In the past it was a French colony, and today it is a completely independent state both territorially and politically. The country of Cote d'Ivoire is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land, the state borders Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The territory is 322,460 km. sq.

general information

This is one of the states in which there are at least five dozen ethnic groups. The capital of the country is the city of Yamoussoukro, which is home to almost 250 thousand people. Unlike most European countries, the capital is not always the main city.

In this state, for example, the main city is Abidjan, whose population is approximately 3 million people. The official language in Cote d'Ivoire is French, a relic of colonial times. In addition to the official one, there are a number of local languages, the most popular being Baule, Bete and Gyula. Compared to many others, this one is quite developed, and the standard of living of the population is quite good.

State symbols of Cote d'Ivoire

The state flag consists of three vertical stripes of equal size: orange, white and green. The first color symbolizes the savannah, the second - peace and unity, the third - forests and hope. There are other interpretations.

The main element of the state's coat of arms is the elephant, which is not only one of the most common animals in the state, but is even present in the name of the country. The national anthem was officially adopted as soon as the country became independent in 1960.

Geography

The territory of the state is predominantly flat, in the south there are tropical rainforests, and in the north there are tall grasses, as in most of Africa, it is very hot, in the south it is equatorial, in the north it is subequatorial. There are three large rivers and several small ones on the territory of the country. Komoe, Sassandra and Bandama are of practically no interest as transport routes, since they consist of many estuaries and rapids, and also periodically dry up.

Among natural resources there are many precious and expensive raw materials. For example, diamonds, gold, oil, gas, nickel, copper, manganese, cobalt, bauxite, etc. In Côte d’Ivoire, tourists can enjoy visiting various national parks. It is in this country that the most developed and beautiful sights of West Africa are located, and one of the parks is even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History of Cote d'Ivoire

The map of the territory of this state, like many others, took shape over many thousands of years. A significant part of the peoples living in the modern country came from the northeastern and eastern parts of the continent. Over time, countries with a highly developed system of governance were founded on this territory.

During the Middle Ages, European merchants paved the way to Côte d'Ivoire. The Spaniards and Portuguese were the first to arrive in the country, and later the British and Dutch began to arrive. Hot goods for European merchants were ivory, gold, pepper, and ostrich feathers. Later, the country began to actively participate in the slave trade.

At the end of the 19th century, after long battles between local tribes and French troops, the territory of the country was occupied, and France turned it into its colony. Since 1958, the state has been declared a republic, part of the French Community. In 1960, on August 7, the country finally gained independence.

In the first 25 years after Côte d'Ivoire gained independence, the pace of development of the state continued to gain momentum. However, in 1987, due to a decrease in prices for goods supplied by the country on the world market, a serious decline began in the state's economy.

• Although officially celebrated in France on August 7th, due to field work, most of the population celebrates it on December 7th.
• Residents of the state are very musical. They have a lot of different dances for every significant event. For example, harvest dance, fisherman dance, etc.
• Previously, the country was famous for its forests. Now, most valuable tree species have been destroyed due to fires, land clearing and other reasons.

Conclusion

Like most African countries, today Côte d'Ivoire cannot boast of good development indicators or an excellent standard of living. However, the state still occupies certain niches in the world market. For example, Côte d'Ivoire is the largest supplier of cocoa in the world and a third coffee supplier. Although there are not many enterprises with highly qualified personnel here, the agricultural market still helps the country’s economy stay afloat.

General information

Geographical position. Cote d'Ivoire is a state in West Africa. In the north it borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, in the east with Ghana, in the west with Liberia and Guinea. In the south it is washed by the Gulf of Guinea.

Square. The territory of Cote d'Ivoire occupies 320,763 sq. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The official capital of Cote d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro; the residence of the president and government is Abidjan. The largest cities: Abidjan (2,797 thousand people), Bwake (330 thousand people), Daloa (122 thousand people), Yamoussoukro ( 107 thousand people. Administrative-territorial division of the country: 50 departments.

Political system

Cote d'Ivoire is a republic. The head of state is the president. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly.

Relief. The surface of the country is predominantly flat, in the west there are mountains up to 1,340 m high. The coast is dotted with a large number of large and deep lagoons, most of which are unnavigable due to numerous shallows.

Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of diamonds, oil, iron ore, manganese, cobalt, copper, and bauxite.

Climate. The climate in the southern part of the country is tropical and humid with heavy rainfall. Temperatures range from 22° C to 32° C, and the heaviest rain occurs from April to July, as well as in October and November. Precipitation in most of the country is 1,100 - 1,800 mm, in the coastal lowlands 1,300 - 2,300 mm per year.

Inland waters. The main rivers are Sassandra, Bandama and Comoe, but none of them are navigable more than 65 km from the mouth due to numerous rapids and a sharp decrease in water levels during the dry season.

Soils and vegetation. The coastal zone is covered with dense tropical forests. In the north and center of the country lies a vast savannah.

Animal world. In Cote d'Ivoire there are jackal, hyena, panther, elephant, chimpanzee, crocodile, several species of lizards and poisonous snakes.

Population and language

The population of Cote d'Ivoire is about 15.5 million people, the average population density is about 48 people per km2. There are over 60 ethnic groups. Of these, the largest are: Baule - 23%, Bete - 18%), Senufo - 15 %, Malinke - 11%. Languages: French (state), Akan, Kru, Voltek, Malinke.

Religion

Pagans - 65%), Muslims - 23%, Christians (mostly Catholics) - 12%.

Brief historical sketch

In the 15th century, when the first Europeans appeared on the territory of the country, early political formations existed here (the northern part was part of the sphere of influence of Ghana, Mali, Songhai). From the beginning of the 18th century. French colonialists penetrate here. In 1893, the French colony of Ivory Coast was formed; the country later became part of the colony of French West Africa. Since August 1960, an independent state. The name Ivory Coast was officially changed to Ivory Coast in October 1985.

Brief Economic Sketch

Cote d'Ivoire is an agricultural country. Main commercial crops: cocoa (leading place in the world), coffee, bananas, hevea, oil palm, cotton. Fishing. Large logging. Oil extraction. Food processing (processing of agricultural raw materials), wood processing, textile industry Petroleum refining Exports: coffee, cocoa beans, cocoa products, as well as timber, oil palm products, pineapples and bananas.

The currency is the CFA franc.

Brief sketch of culture

Art and architecture. Yamoussoukro. The largest cathedral in the world, modeled after the Basilica of St. Peter's in the Vatican.

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

Once upon a time, a thousand years BC, the first inhabitants - pygmies - settled here. Europeans came here in the 15th century. At the end of the 19th century, Cote d'Ivoire became a colony of France, supplying it with cocoa beans, bananas and mahogany. In 1960 the country became independent. In the 2000s, Cote d'Ivoire was full of 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 Ivory Coast government is trying to create the most favorable conditions.

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

But for now, Cote d’Ivoire is located somewhat off the beaten tourist path, although there is a plus in this - the local population is not at all aggressive towards the white man, the people are simple, friendly, and do not beg, unlike residents of countries popular among tourists. And for collectors of African art, this is simply paradise.

What is interesting to see in Cote d'Ivoire?

A completely new, but already iconic object of Cote d’Ivoire. This Catholic cathedral was built in 1985 in Abidjan, the largest city in the 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 makes an impression even on people who have no imagination and do not recognize futurism, surrealism and other cubism. Inside there are colored stained glass windows on an African-evangelical theme. You can take pictures! Be sure to go upstairs to the cathedral platform, which offers views of the entire city and the Ebrier Lagoon.

An amazing, very unusual in appearance temple, also located in Abidjan. The building looks like a spiral road going up. Inside there are stained glass windows with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The temple is operational and regular services are held here.

National Museum in Abidjan

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

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

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

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

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

Landmark of the capital of Cote 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 backstory. Yamoussoukro, a town with a population of less than 200 thousand people, became the capital only because it was the birthplace of the country's first president, the late Felix Houphouet-Boigny, whom Ivorians greatly respect and call Papa Houphet. 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 harmattan wind blowing from the Sahara.

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

Kong is an ancient city founded in the 11th century and once the 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 throughout 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 was reconstructed over 10 years and is now open to the public. A very unique architectural building.

UNESCO included the Thai National Park in the category of world heritage. This is real African exotica. 1300 species of plants and trees that grow only here! Tai is located in the south of the country, between the Sassandra and Kavalya rivers. The largest equatorial forest in West Africa, the last remnant of the Guinean forest, which once covered the territory of several countries. There are huge, simply gigantic trees, hundreds (!) of orchid species, flocks of chimpanzees, buffalos, leopards and pygmy hippos.

Neighborhoods 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 - a bamboo forest, two mountains - the mascots of the city - Mont Tonqui and La Dent de Man ("The Human Tooth"), La Cascade waterfall. Mana hosts carnivals, holidays and a festival of those same masks - 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, leatherworking, and, of course, wood carving - Senufo wooden masks, belonging to the funeral cult, convey the spirit of Africa like nothing else.

Some Senufo ritual ceremonies (for example, the Dance of the Leopard People) are allowed for tourists.

Comoe National Park is located 570 km from Abidjan, in the northeast of the country. This is another area listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Located between the Buna and Comoe rivers. All types of African crocodiles live here, and hippos graze in the floodplains along the rivers. You can see monkeys, hyenas and indecently sized parrots. And many, many different migratory birds.

The name of this country alone beckons and fascinates. Try saying it several times: Cote D'Ivoire... Cote D'Ivoire... Cote D'Ivoire... You wanted to visit it, didn't you? Then it's time for you to go. Cote D'Ivoire is waiting.

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

Geography: A state in West Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. In the north it borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, in the east with Ghana, in the west with Liberia and Guinea. The coast of the country is indented by a large number of large and deep lagoons, stretching for 300 km. from the Ghanaian border and along the east coast. The coastal zone is covered with the remnants of once dense tropical forests, stretching 100 km inland. in the center and at 265 km. in the east and west. Beyond the forests in the north and center of the country lies a vast savannah. The total area of ​​the country is 322.6 thousand square meters. km.

Big cities: Abidjan, Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, Daloa, Man, Korhogo, Gagnoa.

Main seaports: Abidjan, San Pedro.

Time: Time relative to Moscow: corresponds to Greenwich time. It lags behind Moscow by 3 hours in winter, and by 4 hours in summer.

Climate: The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures are everywhere from +25 C to +30 C, but the amount of precipitation and its regime are different. The climate in the southern part of the country, in the equatorial climate zone, is hot and humid with heavy rains. Temperatures range from 22 C to 32 C, and the heaviest rain occurs from April to July, as well as in October and November. Oceanic air dominates here all year round and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which reaches 2400 mm per year. In the north, in the subequatorial climate, the temperature difference is sharper (in January it drops to +12 C at night, and in the summer it exceeds +40 C), there is much less precipitation (1100–1800 mm) and a pronounced dry winter period. From December to February, harmattan winds blow in the northern regions of the country, bringing hot air and sand from the Sahara, sharply reducing visibility and making breathing difficult.

Nature: The surface is predominantly flat, in the south in the oceanic zone it is low, in the north it turns into a plateau with a height of 500-800 m. In the west, in the Dan Mountains is the highest point of the country (1340 m). The coast of the Gulf of Guinea is separated from the sea by a strip of sandy sediments forming a chain of lagoons; the largest - Ebrije - is connected to the sea by a shipping canal. The main rivers are Comoe, Bandama, Sassandra and Cavalli. The climate is preferable. subequatorial with a dry winter season, when the northeast harmattan wind blows from the Sahara. In the south the climate is equatorial. OK. 1/3 of the territory is covered with forests: in the south - humid equatorial forests, passing through sparse savannas with areas of gallery forests into tall grass savannas in the north of the country. The fauna is well preserved. In the forests there are numerous monkeys, forest antelopes, brush-eared pigs, etc.; in the savannas - antelopes, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopard, cheetah, serval. A network of nature reserves and national parks has been created, including the largest ones - Comoe, Tai, Marajue, Banco, etc.

Political system: The head of state and government is the president. The legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly.

Administrative division: 50 departments.

Population: Cote d'Ivoire is a multinational state that unites representatives of more than 55 linguistic communities. The majority of the population belongs to the Niger-Congo group: Bete, Baule, Anyi, Senufo, Lobi and Bobo, Malinke, Dan, etc. Up to 1/3 of the population are foreigners (mainly from Burkina Faso and Mali), coming for agricultural work. In 1997, there were about 220 thousand refugees from Liberia. Urban population 44%. Population density 52.6 people/km2.

Language: French, and African languages ​​such as Yakuba, Senufo, Baule, Anyi and Diola are also widely used.

Religion: Traditional local religions (65%), Islam (23%), Christianity (mainly Protestantism - 12%).

Economy: Cote d'Ivoire is an agricultural country with developed industry. GNP per capita is $660 (1995). The basis of the economy is export-oriented agriculture. The main crops are cocoa (first place in the world), coffee (one of the leading places in the world ), bananas, hevea, oil palm. Main food crops: cassava, bananas, rice, corn, millet and sorghum. Livestock farming is poorly developed. Valuable timber is harvested and wood processing is developed.

There are deposits of oil, iron and manganese ores, diamonds, gold, bauxite, etc. Oil is extracted on the continental shelf. There are oil refining, textile, clothing, chemical, and metalworking enterprises, and shipbuilding and ship repair are developed.

Currency: West African CFA Franc (CFA), 100 CFA francs are approximately equal to 1 French franc. Currency exchange can be done at banks and exchange offices; the exchange rate can vary significantly, so you should carefully check the conditions. Banking hours are daily, except Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30 to 17.00. Some exchange offices work not only seven days a week, but also around the clock. The use of credit cards is only possible in the capitals and in major tourist centers on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, with Visa and MasterCard being preferred (although commissions will still be deducted, and quite arbitrarily). Checks and credit cards from French banks have the best exchange rates. Tips (kadu) amount to up to 10%, although most often, especially in large establishments, the cost of service is already included in the bill.

Main attractions: If you are interested in African history, art or music, Côte d'Ivoire is the place to go to learn more about these aspects of the local culture. The art of Côte d'Ivoire is considered one of the best in West Africa and is very unique to each ethnic group. .

The Baule and Yakub peoples are widely known for their original wooden sculpture, usually a traditional wooden mask is a very accurate depiction of a human face, slightly exaggerated to more fully convey character traits. Another characteristic work of local artisans is the large rice cooking spoon, which is typically humanoid in shape and makes an excellent local souvenir. Traditionally used in various ceremonies, Baule face masks are extremely realistic and convey the characteristic features of the appearance or hairstyle of the person who served as their prototype. Senufo masks are highly stylized: the most famous type is the “fire” - helmet mask, which is a compilation of the appearance of an antelope, warthog and hyena - the most respected animals of the local animist cult.

Numerous holidays and ceremonies of various peoples of this country are also popular with tourists. The most famous festivals are the Fete de Masques (Festival of Masks), which takes place in villages around Man every February. Another famous festival is the Bouaké Carnival, held in March. In April, it is advisable not to miss the Fete du Dipris in the Gaumont region. This festival begins at midnight when women and children come out of their huts and perform night rituals naked to drive away evil spirits from the village. The main Muslim holiday is Ramadan, which usually takes place in December-January and ends with a huge feast. On the colorful holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims gather together, visit friends and give gifts to each other.

The city of Yamoussoukro became the capital in 1983, and is still the capital in name. The main attraction of the city is the Notre-Dame de la Pax church, built in the 60s of the 20th century. It is currently the tallest church in the entire Christian world, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The 36 huge stained glass windows decorating its main hall are also unique.

Abidjan was also a provincial city until 1951, when the French completed the construction of the Vridi Canal, connecting the Abidjan lagoon to the ocean. This immediately gave the city an excellent harbor, and since then the population has grown to almost 3 million people, and the city itself has grown to occupy four peninsulas around the lagoon. Known as the “Paris of West Africa”, Abidjan has quite a lot of attractions: Abidjan has a traditional large market for handicrafts, many picturesque parks, the Le Plateau park is especially beautiful. The central, commercial part of the city and Cocody, the chic residential section, are interesting for their architecture - here you will find the imperial Ivory Hotel, considered the most famous hotel in West Africa and the main attraction of the city. It has everything you can imagine - a swimming pool, an artificial ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino and the city's main art store. Next to the hotel is the Saint-Paul Cathedral, built by Italians and consecrated by the Pope in 1985, which can compete in beauty and grace with many temples in the world. Connected to Le Plateau by two major bridges, Treichville has the largest of the city's four markets and is home to most of the city's nightlife. The northwestern outskirts of the city, Parc du Banco, is a tropical forest that smoothly merges with city buildings, which guarantees pleasant walks (this is the coolest place on the southern coast of the country) and is very popular with jogging lovers.

The country's rainforests are rapidly declining (one of the highest rates in the world), with the only remaining virgin forest located in the Tan and Marajuz National Parks, covering 3,600 square kilometers. km. area in the southwestern part of the country. Trees 50 meters high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots, are still preserved here. Walking through the equatorial primary forest is a unique experience: tall trees intertwined with vines, fast flowing streams and relict wildlife are combined in one place, creating a peaceful and enchanting landscape that nevertheless requires a lot of effort to travel through. The parks are in a very rainy and humid area, so the best time to visit is during the dry period from December to February. To visit the parks you need permission from the Ministry of Forests in Abidjan.

At 570 km. Comoé National Park, the largest in West Africa, is located northeast of Abidjan. Here, next to the river of the same name, there is one of the most popular “animal trails”, where you can follow in the natural environment how large herds of animals go out to the river during the dry season in search of water, where there is an excellent opportunity to observe the habits of a wide variety of representatives local fauna.

The Man area in the central part of the country is an area of ​​lush green hills and is famous far beyond the country for its La Cascade waterfall, located in a bamboo forest 5 km away. to the west of the city, as well as the steep, tooth-shaped mountain of Mont Tonqui and La Dent de Man ("Tooth of Man"), considered according to local legends to be the "guardian angel" of this area of ​​the country.

Other attractions of the area are the colorful villages: Biankouma, Goususso, Sipitu and Danane. Korhogo - the capital of the Senufo people since the 13th century, the "heart" of this city is a bustling market. The Senufo are widely known for their wood carvings and are also skilled blacksmiths and potters. Most woodcarvers live and work in a small area called the Sculptors' Apartment. The Senufo are divided into secret communities: "Poro" - a cult for boys and "Sakrabundi" - a cult for girls, in which they prepare for adulthood. The communities preserve the folklore of the people, teach tribal customs, and instill self-control through rigorous testing. Childhood education is divided into three seven-year periods, ending with an initiation ceremony. Each community has a "sacred forest" where training is carried out (non-initiates are never allowed to observe the tests). Some ritual ceremonies take place directly in the village and are allowed for tourists to visit. These include La Danse des Hommes Panteres ("dance of the leopard people"), performed when the boys return from a training session in the forest and many more.

The Sassandra port area has beautiful beaches. But what makes this area especially attractive is that it is also home to numerous ethnic Fanti fishing villages, with an active port and a picturesque river. It is also highly recommended to try the local "bangi" - palm wine, which is produced only here. The town of Sassandra was previously an important trading port, but when a modern terminal was built at nearby San Pedro, its role declined and the entire area is now an excellent tourist area. Located 3 km. to the east, Plage de Bivac is one of the best surf spots. Large waves are also recorded in the adjacent Poly-Plage, as well as in the area of ​​​​the beaches of Gran Belebi near the Liberian border.

Historical sketch: The first Europeans (Spaniards and Portuguese) appeared in the country in the 15th century. At first they exported gold, ivory, ostrich feathers and pepper, but soon the slave trade took over. From the beginning 18th century French colonialists penetrated here, and by 1893 the French colony of Côte d'Ivoire was formed, which became part of French West Africa (FWA). Since 1960, Côte d'Ivoire has become an independent state. The leading political force is the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire. The foreign policy of Côte d'Ivoire is pro-European (in particular, it is focused on close cooperation with France). Until 1985, Côte d'Ivoire was considered one of the most steadily developing countries in Africa; important social and political reforms were carried out. In 1987, an economic recession occurred, caused by a fall in prices for exported raw materials (in particular, cocoa). In 1999, the first in the country's history occurred military coup, another coup attempt was made in 2002. At present, political instability remains in the country, French troops were brought in.

National holiday: August 7 (Independence Day).

National domain: .CI

Entry rules: Visa regime, minimum period for processing documents - 1 day. Visa concessions are made for citizens of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Great Britain and the USA. Required documents: application form and photographs - 4 pcs. (the application form is issued in Russian or French) and the original invitation. Consular fee - 20-50 US dollars (depending on the type of visa, timing and purpose of the trip). The entry visa is valid for 90 days. A transit visa is required when traveling through the country. Children under 16 years old are included in the visa of their parents (mother). When crossing the border, you must present a passport with a visa and a completed application form in French, which indicates: full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, profession, address of residence in Russia and Ivory Coast, Passport number, point of departure. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is also required. There are no restrictions on movement within the country. An airport tax (about 2 USD) is charged on domestic flights.

Customs regulations: The import and export of currency is not limited. A customs declaration upon entry and exit is not required. Duty-free import of clothes and other items intended for personal use is allowed. The import of weapons and ammunition, narcotic and psychotropic substances is prohibited. The export of weapons, drugs, food in large quantities, exotic plants, animals and birds is prohibited. Antiquities and art, items made of gold and precious metals are subject to mandatory customs control. The export of animal skins, ivory and crocodile skin products is prohibited without the appropriate permit.

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