18 interesting facts about Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) - Travel to Africa

Most interesting facts about Cote d'Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, from its vibrant culture to its diverse landscapes, Cote d'Ivoire has much to offer.

1. Cote d'Ivoire, has an area of 322,463 km². It is a West African country that borders Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali and, Ghana. It has a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The country has a diverse geography, with forested plateaus, mountains, savannas, and lagoons. The highest point is Mount Nimba (1,752 m), and the lowest point is at the Gulf of Guinea (0 m). The major rivers are the Komoe, Bandama and, Sassandra.

2. Cote d'Ivoire means Ivory Coast, and it takes its beautiful name from the ivory trade that often took place from around the 15th to 17th centuries. The name Cote d'Ivoire was given by the French colonizers in the 19th century, who claimed the territory as part of their West African empire. In 1985, there was an official change of its name from Ivory Coast to Cote d'Ivoire, and requested that all other countries use the French name as well. The reason for this change was to assert the country's sovereignty and identity, and to avoid confusion with other countries that have similar names in English, such as Cape Verde or Gold Coast. Despite the official change, some countries and organizations still use the English name Ivory Coast, especially in informal contexts. However, the French name Cote d'Ivoire is more widely accepted and recognized internationally.

 

3. The Cote d'Ivoire flag is a vertical tricolor of orange, white, and green. It was adopted on December 3, 1959, before the country gained independence from France on August 7, 1960.

The flag reflects the country's geography, history, and identity. The Orange colour represents the savannas in the north of the country and the dynamic national growth. It also signifies the country's strong development and fertility of the land. The White colour symbolizes peace, purity, and unity of all citizens. It is also the pledge of the country's success and the expression of the national motto: "Unity, discipline, labour". The Green colour reflects the lush forests in the southern part and, a hope for better future. It also recalls the first great source of national prosperity and the diversity of the country's natural resources.

 

 

 

4. Côte d'Ivoire is a country in Western Africa that has two capital cities: Yamoussoukro (legislative) and Abidjan (administrative and economic capital).

 

5. Yamoussoukro is the legislative capital and the official seat of government, and is located in the centre of the country, with an avarage population of about 300,000. It was known to be the hometown of the first president of Cote d’Ivoire called Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who decided to relocate the capital to Yamoussoukro from Abidjan in 1983. The city is known for its modern architecture, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which is known as the largest church in the world by area.

6. Abidjan is known to be the third and largest French speaking city in the world, after Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, Paris in France. It is located on the southern coast of the country and has an estimated population of about 5.6 million. It is also known as the economic and cultural hub of the country, as well as a major port and financial centre, and serves as a bustling urban center with a skyline that reflects the country's economic vibrancy. It was the capital of Cote d’Ivoire from 1934 to 1983, and remains the de facto capital until today. The city has a diverse and vibrant culture, with many museums, parks, and festivals.

7. Côte d'Ivoire was colonized by France in the 19th century and gained her independence on the 7^th of August, 1960. Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a political luminary and former French government minister, emerged as the independence leader.

Houphouët-Boigny's leadership spanned 33 years until his passing in 1993. His presidency was characterized by a close relationship with France, fostering economic growth and stability.

8. Côte d'Ivoire has a vibrant tapestry of languages and cultures, and showcases a linguistic kaleidoscope that mirrors its intricate history. While French is the official language (a colonial legacy), about 70 indigenous languages are spoken including Jula (or Dioula), which is a Mande language and a lingua franca of Burkina Faso, as well as Arabic, English and, other African languages. This linguistic abundance isn't just a testament to tradition; it's a living record of trade, migration, and colonization. Côte d'Ivoire's linguistic landscape is not just about words; it is a melody of heritage, a testament to the nation's rich past, and present.

 

 

9. Côte d'Ivoire has a rich agricultural sector, and is known to be one of the world's leading producers of cocoa beans as well as exporters,which are used to make chocolate and other products.

It is also a very significant producer and, exporter of coffee and, palm oil, which are used for various purposes such as food, cosmetics, and biofuels. Côte d’Ivoire’s agriculture employs about two-thirds of its population and contributes to its economic growth and development.

10. Côte d'Ivoire has a diverse and varied cuisine that reflects its different ethnic groups and regions. However, one of the most popular dishes that is often called the national dish is Attiéké and Fish. Attiéké is a couscous-like dish made from grated cassava that is fermented and steamed. It is served with grilled or braised fish, usually tuna, and seasoned with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and oil. It is a very popular street food in Abidjan and other cities. Other dishes include Fufu and Kedjenou, Garba.

11. Côte d'Ivoire is a kaleidoscope of ethnic diversity, where the vibrant tapestry of cultures weaves together a captivating narrative. About over 60 distinct ethnic groups contribute to the country's rich mosaic, each with its unique traditions, languages, and customs. Some ethic group includes Baoulé, Bété, Senufo, and Malinke. The ethnic groups create a captivating symphony of heritage especially in celebrating traditional festivals, sharing culinary delights, or expressing themselves through music and dance.

12. Côte d'Ivoire has rich and diverse musical and dance culture, with genres such as Zaouli, coupé-décalé and zouglou. Cote d’Ivoire has also produced some internationally renowned musicians, such as Alpha Blondy, who is one of the most influential reggae artists in Africa.

 

13. The national football team of Côte d'Ivoire, commonly known as the Elephants, is one of the most successful teams in Africa. They have won three times, the Africa Cup of Nations so far, in the years 1992, 2015 and 2023 and, have also qualified for three consecutive FIFA World Cups, from 2006 to 2014. The country qualified, and currently hosting the Africa cup of Nations 2023, holding from 13th January to 11th February, 2024 and won. The team is managed by the respected Ivorian Football Federation. The team's nickname, the Elephants, is derived from the country's national animal and symbol of strength. The team's colours are orange, white, and green, which are also the colors of the national flag.

14. Côte d'Ivoire has a rich endowment of natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, manganese. Asides cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate and other products. The country also has significant reserves of petroleum and natural gas. The country also has abundant water resources, which are used for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. The country's forests provide timber and other non-timber products, such as rubber, palm oil, and medicinal plants. The country's coastal and inland waters are also sources of fish and other aquatic resources.

15. Côte d'Ivoire has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. The country currently has about eight national parks and several other well protected and diverse areas that cover different types of ecosystems, such as forests, savannas, wetlands, and islands. Some of the national parks include the Taï National Park, Comoé National Park, Îles Ehotilés National Park, Banco National Park, Marahoué National Park e.t.c.

16. Côte d'Ivoire is home to various endangered species, such as the hard-necked crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus), the panther (Panthera pardus), Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana), the magistrate colobus (Colobus vellerosus), the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus), the Roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway), the white-naped mangabey (Cercocebus atyslunulatus), the Miss Waldron's red colobus (Piliocolobus waldroni), the pygmy hippo, and the African elephant.

 

17. Côte d'Ivoire is known to be one of the largest producers as well as exporters of raw cashew nuts in the world, with a production of about 1.1 million tonnes and an export of about 574,625 tonnes in 2020. Cashew nuts are an important source of income and employment for the country, especially for rural communities and women.

18. Côte d'Ivoire has a unique form of wrestling called “Lutte traditionnelle”, which is a popular sport and cultural activity in the country. Lutte traditionnelle is practiced by both men and women, who compete in different weight categories and wear traditional costumes and accessories. The objective of the sport is to make the opponent fall on the ground or touch the ground with any part of the body other than the feet. Lutte traditionnelle is often accompanied by music, dance, and rituals that celebrate the fighters and their communities. The sport is also seen as a way of promoting social cohesion, peace, and national identity.