World Country Guide

General Information

Area
322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles).

Population
16,365,000 (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density
50.8 per sq km.

Capital
Yamoussoukro (administrative and political capital since 1983). Population: 299,243 (1998). Abidjan (former capital). Population: 2,877,948 (1998).

Geography
Cte d’Ivoire shares borders with Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. There are 600km (370 miles) of coast on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). The southern and western parts of the country are forested, with undulating countryside rising to meet the savannah plains of the north and the mountainous western border. Three rivers, the Sassandra, the Bandama and the Como, run directly north–south and, on their approach to the coast, flow into a series of lagoons. Birdlife is plentiful throughout the country, but particularly so near the coast.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. In 1999, the army took power and installed a National Council for Public Salvation. Head of State: President Laurent Gbagbo since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Seydou Diarra since 2003.

Language
The official language is French. The main African languages are Yacouba, Senoufo, Baoul, Betie, Attie, Agni and Dioula (the market language).

Religion
34 per cent Christian, 27 per cent Muslim, 15 per cent traditional beliefs. It is important to note, however, that these percentages are based on census results in 1998, of which some Muslim foreign workers may have been excluded - therefore, the Muslim percentage may be higher than is indicated here.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications
International telecommunications are available in major towns/centres.

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 225. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network. Network operators include Loteny Telecom (website: www.telecel.net) and Orange Cte D’Ivoire (website: www.orange.ci).

Internet
ISPs include Aviso, Africa On Line and Globeaccess. Public access is available at Internet cafes in Abidjan.

Fax
Facilities are available at some major hotels, but are not yet widespread.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1430-1800.

Press
All newspapers are in French. The main dailies include Fraternit Matin, L'Inter, Le Jour, Le National, Notre Voie, Le Patriote and Soir Info.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.