Côte d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a West African country with beach resorts, rainforests and a French colonial legacy. The country is bordered by Guinea and Liberia in the west, Burkina Faso and Mali in the north, Ghana in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Traditionally known as the “teeth coast” country due to actively participating in the ivory trade, the Coast can boast a variety of entertainment and relaxing activities. It has a rich cultural tradition, artistic talents, and French-speaking prowess, among other things. To offer you an insight into this unique country, here are ten facts about Ivory Coast!
1. The name “Ivory Coast” reflected the major trade that occurred on that particular stretch of the coast, the export of ivory.
2. The country has two different names. The English version is Ivory Coast and the French version is Côte d’Ivoire. It is now known as its French name after the name was changed officially since 1985. Many people still call it Ivory Coast as it is easier to pronounce.
3. It has two capitals as well – Yamoussoukro serving as its political center and Abidjan, the largest city in the country, is the center of economic activity.
4. The country was founded in the middle of 18th century by Queen Abla Pokou. She was the one who made the decision to move Bauolé people from Ghana to the new lands in search of better living. But she had to pay a big price for it. The Queen’s child drowned while the people were crossing one of the rivers on the way to their new home.
5. Did you known the official currency, the West African Franc is also used by countries like Togo, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Niger.
6. The Ivory Coast was the first black Republic and the first non-English speaking country to win an Academy Award. The Oscar went to the country’s film “Black and White in Color” when it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film.
7. The biggest basilica in the world is located in Yamoussoukro, in the Ivory Coast. It’s the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and it’s 323,000 square feet in size. It can hold about 18,000 worshipers, though is very rarely full.
8. It’s the world’s largest cocoa producer. In 2013 it shifted 1.448 million metric tonnes of cocoa beans (31.6 per cent of the world’s total), nearly double its nearest rival, Ghana. It is also one of the largest producers and exporters of coffee and palm oil.
9. Ivory Coast has only ever won one Olympic medal: a silver in the men’s 400 metres in 1984.
10. Two civil wars (that of 2002, which took 5 years, and another one of 2011, which lasted a year) were started by competing ethnic factions and nearly brought the country to the edge of complete collapse.
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Captain Nero’s recommendations in Ivory Coast:
Grand-Bassam: Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this French-Period neighbourhood boasts of elegant Parisian mansions and crafted colonial municipal buildings. Visit this place if you want know more about Ivory Coast’s rich culture and history. Do not miss out the great Cathédrale Sacré Cœur and the enthralling Museum of Costume.
Taï National Park: Inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site, it contains the largest area of the primary tropical rainforest of Africa. Trek or kayak your way around one of the last swathes of primary evergreen forest in West Africa and look out for chimpanzees, crocodiles, pygmy hippos and 250 species of exotic bird.
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace: Located in the Yamoussoukro city and listed as the World’s Largest Basilica in Guinness World Records, the church was designed by architect Pierre Fakhoury. Though only a third of the population of Cote d’Ivoire is Christian, this basilica has enough space to accommodate 18,000 worshippers.
San-Pédro: The second-largest port town in the country, this town has access to numerous beaches with varying coastline. This town has a lively and energetic vibe and is a must visit for party animals because of its numerous nightclubs and beer bars.
La Cascade Waterfall: Take a dip in the refreshing pool at the base of Les Cascades de Man, and swim with water cascading down the moss-covered layers of rock. The waterfall serves as a great place to cool off after a hike through the surrounding bamboo forest, with colourful plants, butterflies, and dragonflies brightening the scenery.
