General background: Close ties to France since
independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production
for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire
one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states.
Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however,
sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25
December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote
d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by
President Henri Konan BEDIE. Presidential and legislative
elections held in October and December 2000 provoked
violence due to the exclusion of opposition leader Alassane
OUATTARA. In October 2000, Laurent GBAGBO replaced junta
leader Robert GUEI as president, ending 10 months of
military rule. In October 2001, President GBAGBO initiated
a two-month-long National Reconciliation Forum, but
its ability to conciliate Ivorians with one another
remains unclear.
Area comparative: Slightly
larger than New Mexico
Climate: Tropical
along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons -
warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March
to May), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain:
Mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Population: 16,804,784
Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur
17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern
Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese
and 20,000 French) (1998)
Religions: Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%,
indigenous 25-40% (2001)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory
workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Language: French (official), 60 native dialects
with Dioula the most widely spoken
Government type: Republic; multiparty presidential
regime established 1960
Capital: Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro
has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan
remains the administrative center; the US, like other
countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan.
Legal system: Based on French civil law system
and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional
Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction.
Economic overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among
the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee,
cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy
is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international
prices for these products and to weather conditions.
Despite government attempts to diversify the economy,
it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related
activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population.
After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian
economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation
of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and
coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such
as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking
liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries,
and generous external financing and debt rescheduling
by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government
adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump
in growth to 5% annually during 1996-99. Growth was
negative in 2000 and 2001 because of the difficulty
of meeting the conditions of international donors,
continued low prices of key exports, and post-coup
instability. Political instability continues to impede
growth.
Communication/Telephone system: Well developed
by African standards but operating well below capacity.
Places of interest: Politics aside, Côte
d'Ivoire's powerful draw card is its people, so if
you're interested in African history, art or music,
this is the place to be. There's also a lot of physical
beauty to take in, including the mountainous region
around Man, the fascinating Senoufo area around Korhogo,
Comoë National Park (West Africa's largest) and
the remote fishing village and beaches of Sassandra.
All these places are easily reached on some of the
best roads in Africa.
Travel tips: Travelers are advised to check
the most recent situation before visiting. Street
crime has reportedly increased in Abidjan, and the
general political and economic situation is subject
to rapid change.
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