Ivory Coast, West African country in Gulf of Guinea, West Africa
Description
Ivory Coast is a West African republic on the Gulf of Guinea that extends from the Atlantic to the Sahel zone. The country shows dense rainforest in the south and grass savannas in the north, while the central region forms a transition zone between these climate areas.
History
After independence from France in 1960, Félix Houphouët-Boigny led the nation through economic development based on cocoa and coffee exports. Political unrest shook the country in the early 2000s and divided the territory temporarily.
Culture
The name comes from Portuguese traders who observed the ivory trade along this coast and named the region accordingly. Today this diversity appears in the open-air markets, where hand-woven cloth, carved masks and roasted cocoa beans shape everyday life.
Practical
Travelers can exchange money to West African CFA francs and navigate between cities using shared taxis, buses and domestic flights from Abidjan airport. The dry season from November to March offers the most favorable travel conditions and visas are available on arrival.
Did you know?
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro ranks as the largest church building in the world and surpasses even Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome with an area of 30,000 square meters (323,000 square feet). Its construction in the late 1980s sparked considerable debate.
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The Ivory Coast has places that show its religious diversity, its untouched nature, and its history. In Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace stands as an important religious building, while in Abidjan, Saint Paul Cathedral is very dear to the city. The rainforests in Banco and Taï...
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro
134.6 km
Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
342.2 km
Laurent Pokou Stadium
372.2 km
Mount Richard-Molard
315.9 km
Henri Konan Bédié Bridge
344.9 km
Palacio presidencial de Abiyán
342.9 km
Banco National Park
334 km
Comoé National Park
236.9 km
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
314.3 km
St. Paul's Cathedral
341.7 km
Abidjan zoo
337.9 km
Stade de la Paix
67.1 km
Charles Konan Banny Stadium
134 km
Houphouët-Boigny Bridge
343.7 km
Musée National du Costume de Grand-Bassam
371.1 km
Marché de Treichville
344.4 km
Fort de Dabou
324.9 kmSanctuaire marial d'Abidjan
338.3 km
Îles Ehotilés National Park
406.1 km
Museum of Civilizations in Ivory Coast
341.4 km
Second Abidjan Bridge
343.9 km
Lake Kossou
93.5 km
Marahoué National Park
111.1 km
Immeuble CAISTAB
342.6 km
Assagny National Park
319.6 km
Kong mosque
166.7 km
La Pyramide
342.9 km
National Library of Ivory Coast
341.2 km
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