Côte d'Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, is a West African country located on the Gulf of Guinea. The country has a population of approximately 27 million people and the official language is French, although many local languages are also spoken.

The economy of Côte d'Ivoire is largely based on agriculture, with the country being one of the world's largest producers of cocoa beans. Other important crops include coffee, palm oil, and rubber. In recent years, there has been growth in the service sector, particularly in telecommunications and banking.

Côte d'Ivoire has a diverse culture with many ethnic groups, each with their own customs and traditions. The country is known for its music, dance, and art, which reflect its rich history and traditions. Football (soccer) is also a popular sport in the country.

Tourism is growing in Côte d'Ivoire, with attractions such as the beaches along the coast, national parks with diverse wildlife, and cultural festivals. Abidjan, the economic capital of the country, is known for its vibrant nightlife and culinary scene. Other popular destinations include the UNESCO World Heritage site of the historic town of Grand-Bassam, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, which is one of the largest churches in the world.

However, travelers should be aware that there are still security concerns in some parts of the country, particularly in the north and west where there have been incidents of terrorism and intercommunal violence. It is advised to check travel advisories and take necessary precautions when traveling to Côte d'Ivoire.

National holiday
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)

Telephone Code
225

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 185; Fire: 180; Police: 111

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; 3 seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry ( March to May), hot and wet (June to October)

Currency (Code)
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E

Major Languages
French, 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken

Major Religions
Muslim 42.9%, Catholic 17.2%, Evangelical 11.8%, Methodist 1.7%, other Christian 3.2%, animist 3.6%; none 19.1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Grand-Bassam; Abidjan (includes St. Paul’s Cathedral, Plateau Salam Mosque); Mont Sangbe National Park; Taï National Park; Jacqueville

Major Sports
Soccer, rugby

Cultural Practices
It is common to start and end social engagements by shaking the hand of all parties in attendance.

Tipping Guidelines
It is usually acceptable to tip at a flat rate of 500-2,000 francs at restaurants. 1,500 francs is normal for tipping hotel staff, and taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Souvenirs
Wood carvings and musical instruments, tribal masks and ivory carved items; bronze, silver, and gold bracelets and seed or bead jewelry; woven baskets, pottery

Traditional Cuisine
Fufu — cassava and unripe plantains mashed together in water with a wooden pole; once the mixture is smooth it gets shaped into small balls that are placed in a stew or soup with meat

Geography
Area
total: 322,463 sq km
land: 318,003 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km

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)

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower

People and Society
Population
29,344,847 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Akan 28.9%, Voltaique or Gur 16.1%, Northern Mande 14.5%, Kru 8.5%, Southern Mande 6.9%, unspecified 0.9%, non-Ivoirian 24.2% (2014 est.)

Languages
French (official), 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken

Religions
Muslim 42.9%, Catholic 17.2%, Evangelical 11.8%, Methodist 1.7%, other Christian 3.2%, animist 3.6%, other religion 0.5%, none 19.1% (2014 est.)

Population growth rate
2.16% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative capital); note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative capital as well as the officially designated economic capital; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan

Economy
Economic overview
one of West Africa’s most influential, stable, and rapidly developing economies; poverty declines in urban but increases in rural areas; strong construction sector and increasingly diverse economic portfolio; increasing but manageable public debt; large labor force in agriculture

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$146.323 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$5,300 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
yams, cassava, cocoa, oil palm fruit, sugar cane, rice, plantains, maize, cashew nuts, rubber

Industries
foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, gold mining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity

Exports
$13.232 billion (2020 est.)

Exports - partners
Netherlands 10%, United States 6%, France 6%, Spain 5%, Malaysia 5%, Switzerland 5%, Germany 5%, Vietnam 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cocoa beans, gold, rubber, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2019)

Imports
$12.66 billion (2020 est.)

Imports - partners
China 18%, Nigeria 13%, France 11% (2019)

Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, rice, frozen fish, refined petroleum, packaged medicines (2019)