Ivory Coast form of government. Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or otherwise Ivory Coast

The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is one of the countries located in West Africa. In the past, it was a French colony, and today it is a completely independent state both in territorial and political terms. The country of Côte d'Ivoire is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land, the state borders on Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The territory is 322.460 km. sq.

general information

This is one of the states in which there are at least five dozen ethnic groups. The capital of the country is the city of Yamoussoukro, which is the place of residence for almost 250 thousand people. Unlike most European countries, here the capital is not always the main city.

In this state, for example, the main city is Abidjan, whose population is approximately 3 million people. The official language in Côte d'Ivoire is French, a relic of colonial times. In addition to the official language, there are a number of local languages, the most popular being Baule, Bete and Gyula. Compared to many others, this one is quite developed, and the standard of living of the population is quite good.

State symbols of Ivory Coast

The flag of the state consists of three vertical stripes of the same size: orange, white and green. The first color symbolizes the savannah, the second - peace and unity, the third - forests and hope. There are other interpretations.

The main element of the emblem of the state is the elephant, which is not only one of the most common animals in the state, but is even present in the name of the country. The national anthem was officially adopted as soon as the country became independent, in 1960.

Geography

The territory of the state is predominantly flat, in the south there are humid tropical forests, and in the north - tall grasses, like in most of Africa, very hot, in the south - equatorial, in the north - subequatorial. On the territory of the country there are three large rivers and several small ones. Komoe, Sasandra and Bandama are practically of no interest as transport routes, since they consist of many mouths and rapids, moreover, they periodically dry up.

Among natural resources there are many precious and expensive raw materials. For example, diamonds, gold, oil, gas, nickel, copper, manganese, cobalt, bauxite, etc. In Côte d'Ivoire, tourists can enjoy visiting various national parks. It is in this country that the most developed and beautiful sights of West Africa are located, and one of the parks is even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History of Ivory Coast

The map of the territory of this state, like many others, has evolved over many thousands of years. A significant part of the peoples living in the modern country came from the northeastern and eastern parts of the continent. Over time, countries with a highly developed system of government were founded on this territory.

During the Middle Ages, European merchants paved the way for Côte d'Ivoire. The Spaniards and the Portuguese were the first to arrive in the country, and later the British and the Dutch began to arrive. Popular goods for European merchants were ivory, gold, pepper, ostrich feathers. Later, the country began to actively participate in the slave trade.

At the end of the 19th century, after long battles between local tribes and French troops, the country's territory was occupied, and France turned it into its colony. Since 1958, the state was proclaimed a republic, part of the French Community. In 1960, on August 7, the country nevertheless gained independence.

In the first 25 years after the independence of Côte d'Ivoire, the pace of development of the state continued to gain momentum. However, in 1987, due to lower prices for goods supplied by the country on the world market, the state's economy began a serious decline.

  • Despite the fact that officially from France it should be celebrated on August 7, due to field work, most of the population celebrates it on December 7.
  • The inhabitants of the state are very musical. They have a lot of different dances for every significant event. For example, the harvest dance, the fisherman's dance, etc.
  • The country used to be famous for its forests. Now most of the valuable tree species have been destroyed due to fires, land clearing and other reasons.

Conclusion

Like most African countries, today Côte d'Ivoire cannot boast of good development indicators or an excellent standard of living. However, the state still occupies certain niches in the world market. For example, Côte d'Ivoire is the largest supplier of cocoa in the world and a third coffee supplier. Although there are not so many enterprises with highly qualified personnel, the agricultural market still helps the country's economy to stay afloat.

The phrase "Ivory Coast" is known to many, but not everyone will draw an analogy with the West African Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, but it's the same thing, they just translated the name from French.

Existed until 1960.

This country is amazing not only with its name and history, but also with its cultural component, as well as nature, all this often attracts a lot of tourists. It is here that you can learn the true African culture and traditions, which are carefully preserved by numerous local tribes. The local nature is also benevolent, pleasing with its variety and colors.

The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is located on the southern Atlantic coast of the western sub-region of Africa, indented by lagoons. Nearby countries:

  • Burkina Faso;
  • Mali;
  • Ghana;
  • Guinea;

The proximity to the equator affected the climate, it is of two types here:

  • equatorial (south), it is constantly humid here, which is supported by ocean air, the heat is 22-32 degrees;
  • subequatorial (north), characterized by a contrast of seasons, dry and cool in winter, up to 12 degrees Celsius, more than 40 degrees in summer and little precipitation.

Tropical forests, located in the south, are noticeably reduced due to deforestation, so they are no longer as dense as before, although they are still diverse in species composition. Savannahs occupy the rest of the territory.

And yet there are the most beautiful National parks, known throughout the region, where many travelers come to. You can look at the original virgin forest in the following protected reserves:

  • Marahuz;

The latter is marked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In addition to the legendary ones, there are many other inhabitants in Côte d'Ivoire, for example:

  • monkey;
  • rhinos;
  • lions;
  • giraffes;
  • zebras;
  • cheetahs;
  • buffaloes.

In tropical forests, naturally, a large number of insects and exotic birds.

The uniqueness of the local nature is also in the fact that the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is one of the few in Africa that has its own drinking water. The system here is abundant, the main ones are:

  • bandama;
  • Komoe;
  • Sasandra.

The subsoil of Côte d'Ivoire is rich in natural resources:

  • gold;
  • diamonds;
  • oil;
  • nickel;
  • manganese;
  • copper;
  • bauxite and other raw materials.

Not least because of this, the Ivory Coast has a fairly developed economy, especially when compared with other African states. A special role is given to agriculture, the republic occupies the first world places in the supply of such goods:

  • cocoa;
  • coffee.

Also grown for export:

  • rubber;
  • Palm oil;
  • cotton;
  • bananas;
  • tobacco;
  • pineapples.

The strengthening of the gas and oil industries contributes to the continuous development.

And yet in Côte d'Ivoire there are also problematic sides:

  • insufficient funding for education;
  • a large number of poor people;
  • instability.

Tourists are attracted to these parts not so much by the capital of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, but by the natural and cultural wealth of various peoples who love and live with it, as well as other manifestations of creativity.

The local art is the best in the region, while each ethnic group has a unique flavor.

The attractions here are:

  • the largest Cathedral of the Virgin of the World;
  • the Gbon Coulibaly Museum with striking examples of folk crafts;
  • waterfall Mont Tonkui;
  • Komoe National Park.

A separate asset is the local cuisine, because traditional dishes fish and meat tribes are complemented by French charm, especially the sauces should be noted - they are amazing.

Capital of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

Everyone can find out that the official capital of the Republic of Côte d Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, located in the center of the country. The president was once born here, and in 1983 he appointed his hometown as the main one.

This is a small settlement with traditional buildings and a small number of inhabitants. Of the modern buildings, there are only:

  • town hall;
  • National Palace;
  • Higher National School;
  • hotels.

Woodworking and food industries are also located here. But even this does not allow the city to be prosperous and influential, so the actual capital of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is Abidjan, which played this role earlier.

But there is a unique place that attracts many travelers to Yamoussoukro, we are talking about a unique example of the church of Notre Dame de la Pax. This Christian cathedral is the highest in the world, while it is almost identical to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The hall of the building is decorated with original stained-glass windows, striking in size and quantity (36 pieces).

Capital: Abidjan is the seat of the president and government, Yamoussoukro is the official capital.

Geography: A country in West Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and Liberia and Guinea to the west. The coast of the country is indented by a large number of large and deep lagoons, stretching for 300 km. from the border with Ghana and along the east coast. The coastal zone is covered with the remnants of the once dense tropical forests, stretching inland for 100 km. in the center and at 265 km. in the east and west. Behind the forests in the north and in the center of the country lies a vast savannah. The total area of ​​the country is 322.6 thousand square meters. km.

Big cities: Abidjan, Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, Daloa, Man, Korhogo, Gagnoa.

Main seaports: Abidjan, San Pedro.

Time: Time, relative to Moscow: corresponds to Greenwich Mean Time. Behind Moscow in winter by 3 hours, in summer - by 4 hours.

Climate: The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures are everywhere from +25 C to +30 C, but the amount of precipitation and their regime are different. The climate in the southern part of the country, in the equatorial climate zone, is hot and humid with heavy rains. The temperature ranges from 22 C to 32 C, and the heaviest rains come from April to July, as well as in October and November. Oceanic air dominates here all year round and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which reaches 2400 mm per year. In the north, in the subequatorial climate, the temperature difference is sharper (in January it drops to +12 C at night, and in summer it exceeds +40 C), there is much less precipitation (1100-1800 mm.) And a dry winter period is pronounced. From December to February, harmattan winds blow in the northern regions of the country, bringing hot air and sand from the Sahara, sharply reducing visibility and making breathing difficult.

Nature: The surface is predominantly flat, in the south in the oceanic zone - low, in the north - turning into a plateau with a height of 500-800 m. In the west, in the Dan Mountains - the highest point of the country (1340 m). The shore of the Gulf of Guinea is separated from the sea by a strip of sand drifts forming a chain of lagoons; the largest - Ebriye - is connected to the sea by a shipping channel. The main rivers are Komoe, Bandama, Sasandra and Cavalli. Climate preim. subequatorial with a dry winter season, when the northeast harmatan wind blows from the Sahara. In the south, the climate is equatorial. OK. 1/3 of the territory is covered with forests: in the south - humid equatorial ones, passing through sparsely forested savannahs with sections of gallery forests into tall grass savannahs in the north of the country. The animal world is well preserved. Monkeys, forest antelopes, bush pigs, etc. are numerous in the forests; in the savannas - antelopes, elephants, hippos, leopard, cheetah, serval. A network of reserves and national parks has been created, including the largest ones - Komoe, Tai, Marahue, Banco, etc.

Political system: The head of state and government is the president. Legislature- unicameral National Assembly.

Administrative-territorial division: 50 departments.

Population: Côte d'Ivoire is a multinational state that unites representatives of more than 55 linguistic communities. Most of the population belongs to the Niger-Congo group: Bete, Baule, Anyi, Senufo, Lobi and Bobo, Malinke, Dan, etc. Up to 1/3 of the population are foreigners (mainly from Burkina Faso and Mali) coming for agricultural work.In 1997, there were about 220,000 refugees from Liberia.Urban population 44%.Population density 52.6 people/km2.

Language: French, African languages ​​are also widely used - Yakuba, Senufo, Baule, Anyi and Diola.

Religion: Traditional local religions (65%), Islam (23%), Christianity (mainly Protestantism - 12%).

Economy: Côte d'Ivoire is an agrarian country with a developed industry. GNP per capita is $ 660 (1995). The basis of the economy is export-oriented agriculture. The main crops are cocoa (first place in the world), coffee (one of the leading places in the world ), bananas, hevea, oil palm Main food crops: cassava, bananas, rice, corn, millet and sorghum Animal husbandry is poorly developed Valuable timber is harvested, woodworking is developed.

There are deposits of oil, iron, manganese ores, diamonds, gold, bauxite, etc. Oil is mined on the continental shelf. There are oil refining, textile, sewing, chemical, metalworking enterprises, shipbuilding and ship repair are developed.

Currency: West African CFA franc (CFA), 100 CFA francs is approximately equal to 1 French franc. Currency exchange can be done at banks and exchange offices, the exchange rate can vary significantly, so you should carefully clarify the conditions. Banks are open daily, except Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30 to 17.00. Some exchange points work not only seven days a week, but also around the clock. The use of credit cards is only possible in the capitals and in major tourist centers on the Gulf of Guinea coast, Visa and MasterCard are preferred (although commissions will still be deducted, and rather arbitrarily). Checks and credit cards from French banks have the best exchange rates. Tipping (kadu) is up to 10%, although most often, especially in large establishments, the cost of service is already included in the bill.

Main attractions: If you are interested in African history, art or music, Côte d'Ivoire is the place where you can get the most out of these aspects of local culture. The art of Côte d'Ivoire is considered one of the best in West Africa and is very peculiar in each ethnic group .

The Baule and Yaquba peoples are widely known for their original wooden sculpture, usually the traditional wooden mask is a very accurate depiction. human face, slightly exaggerated for a more complete transfer of character traits. Another characteristic work of local artisans is a large rice spoon, such spoons are typically human-shaped and serve as a magnificent local souvenir. Traditionally used in various ceremonies, baule face masks are extremely realistic and convey the characteristic features of the appearance or hairstyle of the person who served as their prototype. Senufo masks are highly stylized: the most famous type is "fire" - a helmet-mask, which is a compilation of the appearance of an antelope, a warthog and a hyena - the most respected animals of the local animistic cult.

Numerous holidays and ceremonies of various peoples of this country are also popular with tourists. The most famous festival is the Fete de Masques (Festival of Masks), which takes place in the villages around Man every February. Another famous holiday is the carnival in Bouake, held in March. In April, it is advisable not to miss the Fete du Dipri in the Gaumont area. This festival begins at midnight when women and children come out of their huts and perform nightly rites naked to expel evil spirits from the village. The main Muslim holiday - Ramadan, usually takes place in December-January and ends with a huge feast. On the colorful holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims gather together, visit friends and give gifts to each other.

The city of Yamoussoukro became the capital in 1983, and is still the capital by name. The main attraction of the city is the Church of Notre Dame de la Pax, built in the 60s of the XX century, at the moment it is the highest church in the entire Christian world, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The 36 huge stained-glass windows decorating its main hall are also unique.

Abidjan was also a provincial city until 1951, when the French completed the construction of the Vridi Canal connecting the Abidjan lagoon to the ocean. This immediately gave the city an excellent harbor, and since then the population has grown to almost 3 million people, and the city itself has grown to cover four peninsulas around the lagoon. Known as the "Paris of West Africa", Abidjan has a lot of attractions: in Abidjan there is a traditional large market for handicrafts, many picturesque parks, especially Le Plateau Park. The central, commercial part of the city and Cocody, a chic residential section, is interesting for its architecture - here you will find the Imperial Hotel Ivory, considered the most famous hotel in West Africa and the main attraction of the city. It has everything you can imagine - there is a swimming pool, an ice skating rink with artificial ice, a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino and the main art store in the city. Near the hotel is built by the Italians and consecrated by the Pope in 1985, the Cathedral of St. Paul Cathedral, able to compete in beauty and elegance with many temples in the world. Linked to Le Plateau by two major bridges, Treycheville is the largest of the city's four markets and is home to most of the city's nightlife. The northwestern outskirts of the city, Parc du Banquo, is a rainforest that blends seamlessly into the city buildings, which guarantees pleasant walks (it is the coolest place on the south coast of the country) and is very popular with joggers.

The country's rainforests are rapidly shrinking (one of the highest rates in the world), the only remaining virgin forest is in the Tan and Marahuz National Parks, occupying 3600 square meters. km. area in the southwestern part of the country. There are still preserved trees 50 meters high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots. Walking through the equatorial primary forest is a unique experience: tall trees intertwined with vines, fast streams and relic Live nature united in one place, creating a peaceful and charming landscape, which nevertheless requires a lot of effort to travel through. The parks are in a very rainy and humid area, so best time to visit - during the dry period from December to February. Visiting the parks requires permission from the Ministry of Forests in Abidjan.

At 570 km. to the northeast of Abidjan is the largest national park in West Africa, Komoe. Here, next to the river of the same name, one of the most popular "animal trails" passes, where you can follow in the natural environment how large herds of animals during the dry season go in search of water to the river, where you have a great opportunity to observe the habits of a wide variety of representatives local fauna.

The area of ​​the city of Man in the central part of the country is a territory of lush green hills and is known far beyond the borders of the country for its La Cascade waterfall, located in a bamboo forest 5 km away. to the west of the city, as well as the steep, tooth-shaped mountain of Mont Toncuy and the mountain of La Dente-de-Man ("Man's Tooth"), considered according to local legends as the "guardian angel" of this area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe country.

Other attractions in the area are the colorful villages of Biankuma, Gaususso, Sipitu and Danane. Korhogo has been the capital of the Senufo people since the 13th century, the "heart" of this city is a bustling market. The Senufo are widely known for their wood carvings and are skilled blacksmiths and potters. Most wood carvers live and work in a small area called the Sculptors' Apartment. The Senufo are separated by secret communities: "Poro" - a cult for boys and "Sakrabundi" - a cult for girls, in which they prepare for adulthood. The communities preserve the folklore of the people, teach tribal customs and instill self-control through rigorous tests. Children's education divided into three seven-year periods ending with an initiation ceremony. Each community has a "sacred forest" where teaching takes place (the uninitiated are never allowed to watch the trials). Some ritual ceremonies take place directly in the village and are allowed for tourists to visit. These include the La Danse des Hommes Panteres ("dance of the leopard people"), performed when the boys return from a training session in the forest, and more.

There are beautiful beaches in the area of ​​the port of Sassandra. But what makes this area especially attractive is that there are also numerous ethnic fishing villages of the Fanti people, with an active port and a picturesque river. It is also highly recommended to try the local "bangui" - palm wine, which is produced only here. The city of Sasandra used to be an important trading port, but when a modern terminal was built at nearby San Pedro, its role declined and the whole area is now a great tourist area. Located 3 km. to the east the Plage de Bivac is one of the best surf spots. Large waves are also registered in the adjacent Poly Beach, as well as in the area of ​​the Grand Belebi beaches near the Liberian border.

Historical outline: The first Europeans (Spaniards and Portuguese) appeared on the territory of the country in the 15th century. At first they exported gold, ivory, ostrich feathers and pepper, but soon the slave trade took the main place. From the beginning 18th century French colonialists penetrated here, and by 1893 the French colony of Côte d'Ivoire was formed, which became part of French West Africa (FZA). Since 1960, Côte d'Ivoire became an independent state. The leading political force is the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire. Foreign policy Côte d'Ivoire is distinguished by its pro-European orientation (in particular, it is focused on close cooperation with France). Until 1985, Côte d'Ivoire was considered one of the most stable developing countries Africa, important social and political reforms were carried out. In 1987, an economic recession began, caused by a drop in prices for exported raw materials (in particular, cocoa). In 1999, the first military coup in the history of the country took place, another coup attempt was made in 2002. At present. while political instability persists in the country, French troops are introduced.

National holiday: August 7 (Independence Day).

National domain: .CI

Entry rules: Visa regime, minimum term paperwork - 1 day. Visa concessions are made for citizens of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Great Britain and the USA. Required documents: application form and photographs - 4 pcs. (the questionnaire is issued in Russian or French) and the original invitation. Consular fee - 20-50 US dollars (depending on the type of visa, terms and purposes of the trip). The entry visa is valid for 90 days. When traveling through the country, a transit visa is required. Children under 16 fit into the visa of the parents (mother). When crossing the border, you must present a passport with a visa and filled out on French insert-questionnaire, which indicates: full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, profession, address of residence in Russia and Côte d'Ivoire, passport number, point of departure. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever No travel restrictions within the country An airport tax (about 2 USD) is charged on domestic flights.

Customs regulations: Import and export of currency is not limited. Customs declaration upon entry and exit is not required. Duty-free import of things and other items intended for personal use is allowed. It is forbidden to import weapons and ammunition, narcotic and psychotropic substances. It is forbidden to export weapons, drugs, food in large quantities, exotic plants, animals and birds. Obligatory customs control is subject to antiquities and art, products made of gold and precious metals. The export of animal skins, ivory and products from crocodile skin without proper permission.


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IVOIR COTE
The Republic of Côte d "Ivoire, a state in West Africa, is the richest country of the former colonies that were part of French West Africa. In the south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, in the east it borders on Ghana, in the north - on Burkina Faso and Mali, on in the west - with Guinea and Liberia.Area 322.5 thousand sq. km.Population 15 million people (1998).Since 1983, the capital is the city of Yamoussoukro in the central part of the country, all ministries and foreign diplomatic missions are located in the former capital - Abidjan. The independence of Côte d'Ivoire was proclaimed on August 7, 1960.

Ivory Coast. Capitals: Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (actual). Population - 15 million people (1998). Population density - 45 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population - 48%, rural - 52%. Area - 332.5 thousand sq. km The highest point - Mount Nimba (1752 m) Official language - French Main religions: Islam, Christianity, local traditional beliefs Administrative-territorial division - 49 departments Monetary unit - franc CFA National Holiday: Independence Day - August 7. National Anthem: "Hello, Land of Hope."



Flag of Ivory Coast





ABIDJAN - THE CAPITAL OF Côte d'Ivoire

Nature. The main part of the country's territory is occupied by an undulating plain, which gradually rises from the coast to the north and turns into a plateau with a height of more than 400 m above sea level. The flat surface is disturbed by remnants composed of volcanic and crystalline rocks. The relative height of these landforms sometimes exceeds 100 m. In the north-west of Côte d'Ivoire there are mountains composed of crystalline rocks - granites, amphibolites and quartzites. The Odienne and Man mountains with massive ridges up to 1100-1200 m high and deep valleys are especially distinguished and gorges.At the junction of the borders of three countries - Côte d "Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia - rises Mount Nimba (1752 m), the highest point in the country. The plains and plateaus of Côte d'Ivoire in the meridional direction cross the rivers Cavalli (along the border with Liberia), Sassandra, Bandama and Komoe. They are not navigable (mainly because of the rapids), but are widely used for timber rafting. The territory of Côte d'Ivoire cross from north to south three geographical zones: Sudanese, forest and coastal. Length coastline OK. 550 km. To the west of the border with Ghana to the city of Fresco, the coast is lined with sandy bays and laced lagoons. The largest of them is the Ebriye lagoon with an area of ​​550 sq. km and a depth of up to 7-8 m. After the construction of a canal through the bay in 1950, this lagoon turned into a convenient sea harbor and in subsequent years was connected by channels with neighboring lagoons - Make in the west and Ob in the east. In the area west of Fresco to the border with Liberia, a plateau approaches the coast, which breaks off with rocky ledges from 20 to 50 m high. The climate of the coastal zone is equatorial, constantly hot and humid. The average annual rainfall is 1900-2400 mm in the west and east, and somewhat less in the central part. There are two maxima of precipitation (May-June and September-November). Average monthly temperatures are 27-28°C in December-April and 23-24°C from July-September. The forest zone has a width of approx. 300 km in the east and west and less than 130 km in the central part of the country in the Bandama river basin. In the south of this zone, humid tropical forests with evergreen tree species extend, in the north the role of deciduous species increases. These forests contain large reserves of valuable commercial timber. Here grow kaya (mahogany, or mahogany), high chlorophora, prickly argan (the so-called iron tree) and the famous cola. Temperatures in the forest zone are also high, but their amplitude is greater than in the coastal zone, and the humidity and precipitation are lower - usually less than 1500 mm per year. The vegetation of the Sudanese zone is gradually changing from savanna woodlands in the south, where Guinean oil palms, acacias, breadfruit trees and baobabs, to true grass savannahs further north. Average monthly temperatures range from 30°C in April to 25°C in August-September. Two seasons are clearly expressed - wet (June - October) and dry (December - February), when the northeast harmatan wind blows from the Sahara. The animal world is distinguished by its richness and diversity of species. In the forests there are monkeys, elephants, hippos, forest antelopes, buffaloes, in the savannas - different types antelopes, predators - leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals. Characterized by an abundance of birds, snakes and insects. The tsetse fly is widespread. For the protection of wild animals, national parks (Komoe, Tan, Marahue, Mont Peno) and reserves (Nimba) have been created.
Population. According to the 1988 census, 10.8 million people lived in Côte d'Ivoire, and in 1998 - about 15 million. In the early 1990s, the birth rate was 49 per 1 thousand people, and the death rate was 15 per 1 thousand . person, i.e. natural increase reached 3% per year. In 1985, more than 42% of the country's inhabitants were under 15 years of age. The most densely populated forest areas are in the west and southeast of the country and along the coast. The high density is the strip that runs between the valley of the Bandama River and the railway, following from Abidjan north to Burkina Faso. The largest city of Côte d'Ivoire is Abidjan (about 2 million inhabitants), followed by Bouake, shopping center and a transportation hub in the interior of the country, Daloa in the west, Korhogo in the north, and the capital Yamoussoukro in the central region. Ethnic composition The population of Côte d'Ivoire is heterogeneous. There are five main ethnic groups. The largest of them is the Anyi-Ashanti group (Baule, Anyi and Abro), concentrated in the forests in the southeast of the country. southwest (west of the Bandama River. The Mande group (Malinke, Diula) lives mainly in the northwestern mountainous regions. The Senufo live in the savannas in the north, and the Dan and Guru live in the savanna woodlands in the middle part of the Bandama river basin. . About 40% of the inhabitants of Côte d'Ivoire profess Islam, 25% are Christians, the rest are animists. The Muslim population predominates in the northwest, Muslims include the majority of the Mande and a large part of the Senufo. The stronghold of Christianity is the south, where at the end of the 19th century. the first Christian missions appeared. The population of Abidjan is almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians. 30% of the population are foreign nationals, predominantly from Burkina Faso and Mali, who are employed in agricultural work. They make up about a third of the country's wage earners. Abidjan has a population of approx. 90 thousand Lebanese and Syrians and 35 thousand Europeans, mostly French. According to the UN, in Côte d'Ivoire in 1997 there were 220 thousand refugees from Liberia. Some of them are integrated into the local society, the rest, with the assistance of the UN, are repatriated to their homeland or resettled in Sierra Leone. The official language of the country is French. Among more Of the 60 African languages, the most widely spoken languages ​​are the Kru (especially Anyi) and Mande (especially Malinke) groups.
Public education. During the years of independence, significant progress has been made in the development of the education system. In 1947 primary schools countries studied 9% of children of the appropriate age, and in 1993 - approx. 70%. In 1995 ok. 30% of budget expenditures were directed to education. During the colonial period, the French model school system was aimed at preparing students for further education in high school and university. However, the government of independent Côte d'Ivoire made changes to this system, focusing on the development of technical schools, whose graduates could replace Europeans in key positions in the economy. In 1994, 1,554 thousand children studied in primary schools, 448 thousand in secondary schools ., in technical schools - 8.9 thousand, and at the National University in Abidjan - 15.5 thousand students.
Political system. According to the 1960 constitution, the head of state and government is the president, who is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of five years. The president appoints and removes members of the government who are personally accountable to him. The legislature is a unicameral National Assembly of 175 deputies who are elected by universal and direct suffrage simultaneously with the president for a five-year term on a single national list. Although the constitution formally provides for the separation of powers, the actual powers of the National Assembly are very limited. The highest court is the Supreme Court. Administratively, the territory of the country is divided into 49 departments. Each of them has an elected General Council, which adopts the local budget. The chief executive of the department is the prefect, representing the central government. The leading political force is the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (DPKI), led by President Henri Conan Bedier. The party arose from the first mass organization - the African Agricultural Syndicate, an association of large agricultural producers created at the end of World War II by the future first president of the country Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who was then a leader, doctor and entrepreneur.In 1946-1950, this party collaborated with the French Communist Party, but then F. Houphouet-Boigny broke with the communists and began to pursue a policy of close cooperation with the French government. post-war period other parties were created in Côte d'Ivoire. However, since none of them enjoyed mass support, the DNAI won the first general election in 1957 and remained ruling until the death of its leader F. Houphouet-Boigny in 1993. She was the only the party that fielded candidates in the elections of 1959, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985. After the introduction of a multi-party system in 1990, the first alternative presidential elections took place, in which F. Houphouet-Boigny’s rival is a veteran of the opposition movement and leader of the Ivoire Popular Front (FNP ) Laurent Gbagbo was defeated.In the same year, a constitutional amendment regarding the order of succession of power was adopted.It provided that in the event of the death of F. Houphouet-Boigny as president, the supreme power in the country passes to his compatriot, the chairman of the National Assembly, Henri Conan Bedier. At the same time, an amendment was made to the constitution to create the post of prime minister, thereby creating a second center of power, ru whose leader could also apply for the presidency. Alassane Ouattara was appointed prime minister. When F. Houphouet-Boigny died on December 7, 1993, Gbagbo and Ouattara opposed the transfer of power to Bedier. However, France decided the dispute in favor of Bedier, almost immediately recognizing him as the legitimate president. Two days after the death of F. Houphouet-Boigny, A. Ouattara resigned from the post of prime minister. After the 1990 elections, an atmosphere of political instability and tension persisted in the country. In the 1995 presidential election, Bedier won. Ouattara was denied the right to run in these elections, since only an indigenous citizen who had lived in the country for the past five years could become a candidate for the presidency. Supporters of Ouattara, formerly members of the DPKI, formed a new centrist party, the Rally Republicans (OR). United in the ranks of the Republican Front (FR) OR, INF and other opposition parties created a political counterbalance to the DPKI. The foreign policy of independent Côte d'Ivoire was pro-European and conservative. The country's government is a consistent supporter of close Afro-French cooperation. Although Côte d'Ivoire became the first Black African state to establish diplomatic relations with South Africa (1992), it provided significant support fight against the apartheid regime. Côte d'Ivoire played a leading role in the creation of the Union of Concord - an amorphous political and economic association, which includes Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo, as well as the pro-French Common Afro-Mauritian Organization (OKAM) . Under the Lomé Convention, Côte d'Ivoire enjoys economic benefits in relations with the EU. Since 1960, a member of the UN, and since 1963 - the Organization of African Unity. In 1995, Côte d'Ivoire joined the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) and provided significant support the organization's efforts to stop civil war in Liberia (1989-1997). However, unlike other members of ECOWAS, Côte d'Ivoire did not send its troops as part of the peacekeeping force (ECOMOG) to Liberia and even allowed the fighters of Charles Taylor's Liberian group to be on its territory. After ECOMOG planes mistakenly dropped bombs on the border region of Côte d'Ivoire near Danane, his relations with the ECOWAS countries became more complicated.
Economy. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the most economically developed states among the former colonies of French West Africa. In 1996, the GDP amounted to $ 10.4 billion, or about $ 707 per capita. In the 1960s, the economic growth was 11% per year, in the 1970s - early 1980s - 6%. In 1987-1989, prices for the main export items of Côte d'Ivoire - coffee and cocoa - fell sharply on the world market, and in 1987- 1994 GDP did not increase, and sometimes even decreased. In the early 1980s, the country's external debt reached a critical level. The government was forced to negotiate with foreign creditors, the IMF and the World Bank to defer loan payments. In 1991, the authorities of Côte d'Ivoire launched a program of structural adjustment of the economy, which included cutting government spending, liberalizing the economy and leaving the state from many areas of economic activity. In 1994, the CFA franc was devalued by 50%, but this was followed by a temporary increase prices and an economic recovery began, as a result of which export sales increased by almost 33% in 1995. In the late 1990s, the average annual GDP growth was approximately 5%. Côte d'Ivoire maintains close relations with France, which provides it with significant economic help. French investors account for most of the foreign private investment. Europeans occupy many key positions in the economy of Côte d'Ivoire, and most industrial enterprises are owned by foreign capital. In the 1990s, the main task remains the development of the national economy, which requires further structural reforms. the fact that the government supported measures to develop and diversify agricultural production. Agriculture plays an important role in the country's economy, employing approx. 60% of the working population. The main commercial products are coffee, cocoa beans, cotton and bananas. Côte d'Ivoire is a leading supplier of cocoa beans to the world market. Income from the sale of cocoa beans and valuable wood species (primarily mahogany) abroad accounts for approximately 75% of all export earnings. In the late 1960s In 1999, the country began to export pineapples, rubber, and palm oil.Most of the export crops and timber are produced in the forest zone in the south of the country, but income inequality in both regions has significantly reduced due to the increase in cotton production in the north. Whereas in the interwar period most coffee and cocoa beans were grown on large plantations owned by Europeans, in the 1960s these crops were cultivated mainly on small farms of African peasants. Other export crops continue to be grown on European plantations. Logging is carried out mainly foreign companies. Large planters hire workers from neighboring countries, mainly from Burkina Faso. The main food crops grown for own consumption or for sale in the domestic market are yams, sweet potatoes, cassava, bananas and rice. In addition, taro is cultivated (for the sake of edible tubers rich in starch), corn, and in the north of the country - millet and sorghum. Animal husbandry is less developed, including the breeding of sheep, goats, poultry and cattle. The development of this industry is limited to the far north, since the rest of the territory is included in the range of the tse-tse fly. An important sector of the economy of Côte d'Ivoire is fishing, primarily tuna mining; canned fish is one of the important export items. The mining industry plays an insignificant role in the country's economy. The exception is diamond mining (84.3 thousand carats in 1994). Gold placers are exploited on a small scale. Large reserves of high-quality iron ore have been discovered in the Bangolo region. In the 1970s and 1980s, the development of oil and gas fields on the shelf began in Côte d'Ivoire, but in the early 1990s, the level of oil production dropped sharply. In the mid-1990s, new oil reserves were discovered on the continental shelf. In independent Côte d'Ivoire, industry developed rapidly. In this respect, only Senegal is ahead of the former colonies of French West Africa. The share of industry in GDP in 1995 was 20% against 8% in 1960. In the 1950s, the main industries were food, cotton, woodworking, brick and tile production, as well as soap making New industries have been created during the years of independence: the assembly of bicycles and cars from imported parts, the production of steel frames and metal containers, chemical, pharmaceutical, the production of plastics and matches, oil refining and canning .Most industrial enterprises are located in Abidjan, Bouaké and their environs. Further development The industry of Côte d'Ivoire rests on the need to expand the energy base. In 1995, 2915 million kW of electricity was produced in the country, with 60% generated by hydroelectric power plants. The power of the Kosu HPP, built on the Bandama River in 1972 and then considered one of the largest in Africa, is 175 thousand kWh. In 1994, the new Vridi power plant, powered by local gas, was put into operation. From 1960 to 1980, the volume of foreign trade of Côte d'Ivoire increased annually by an average of 7%. In subsequent years, the growth rate of exports slowed down and in 1980-1990 amounted to approx. 1.9% per year, and in 1990-1995 - less than 1%. In 1996, the value of exports was 4.4 billion dollars, and imports - 2.5 billion. The main import items are petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, cars, fish, rice and medicines. The main exports are coffee, cocoa, timber and lumber, cotton, fish, bananas, palm oil and natural rubber. Traditionally, Côte d'Ivoire's agricultural export products enjoyed trading privileges in the French market, and then in the EEC countries. In the 1990s, France, Nigeria and Mali remained the main trading partners of Côte d'Ivoire. After 1960, a significant amount of coffee was destined for the USA. Most of the foreign trade operations are carried out through the port of Abidjan. The foreign and wholesale trade of Côte d'Ivoire is controlled by several large European companies. Often, Syrian and Lebanese entrepreneurs are intermediaries between companies and manufacturers. retail is in the hands of small African traders. Côte d'Ivoire is part of the French franc zone. The country's currency, the CFA franc, is issued by the Central Bank of West African States, which also serves Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The transport system was created to serve the export sector of the country's economy and provide access to seaports for Burkina Faso.Almost all the main roads pass through the territory of the southern regions of the country, where most of the export products are produced.In 1996, the total length of roads was 55 thousand km, of which roads with a hard surface were about 6 thousand km In 1972, the construction of a deep-water port in San Pedro was completed.Abidjan is connected by rail with the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou (its length in Côte d'Ivoire is 660 km). Abidjan and Yamoussoukro have international airports. See below
Côte d "Ivoire. HISTORY
LITERATURE

Blokhin L.F. Ivory Coast. Economic and geographical characteristics. M., 1967
Avsenev M. M. Republic of the Ivory Coast. M., 1982


Collier Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures are 25-30 °C everywhere, but the amount of precipitation and its regime are different. In the equatorial climate zone, oceanic air dominates all year round and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which reaches 2400 mm per year (mainly in March-June and December-January). In the north - in the subequatorial climate - there is less precipitation (1100-1800 mm) and a dry winter period is pronounced.

Geography

The surface of the country is predominantly flat, low in the south in the oceanic zone and turning into a low-mountain plateau 500-800 m high in the north. In the west, in the mountains of Dan - the highest point in the country (1340 m). Almost throughout the territory there are outcrops of ancient rocks of the African Platform: in the west and north, granites predominate, in the east - clay shales. Deposits of gold, diamonds, manganese, and iron ores have been discovered here. The shore of the Gulf of Guinea is slightly indented and separated from the sea by a strip of sand drifts. The main rivers - Komoe, Bandama, Sasandra, Cavalli - are not navigable.

Flora and fauna

In the vegetation cover in the south, moist equatorial forests are widespread, where more than 600 species of trees grow, including valuable species (about 35 species are used for timber harvesting, of which 5 species are mahogany). To the north, moist forests give way to forest savanna, into which islands of gallery forests wedged along the river valleys. Further north, the islands of trees disappear and most of the territory is covered with tall grass savannah. Both vegetation and animal world The Ivory Coast is better preserved than in other countries of West Africa: monkeys (monkeys, chimpanzees, Gverets, etc.) are numerous in the forests, elephants, hippos, forest antelopes, bush pigs, water deer are found; found in the savannas different kinds antelope, as well as leopard, cheetah, serval. A network of reserves and national parks has been created, including on the slopes of Mount Nimba (on the border with Guinea and Liberia), the Banco National Park near Abidjan.

Population

The population of Côte d'Ivoire includes representatives of more than 55 linguistic communities, many of which are distinguished by a peculiar exotic culture. There are three subgroups of nationalities: Guinean (Kru, Baule, Anyi, etc.), Volt (Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Kulango, Mosi) and Mande (Malinke and others). The majority of the population is employed in agriculture (cocoa, coffee, etc.) and retains both the traditional way of life and traditional animistic beliefs.

Big cities

The country's largest city is Abidjan (about 4.4 million inhabitants), whose rapid growth began after 1950. Now it's industrial centre, a large port, there is a university, a research center. Abidjan is a modern city with numerous hotels, restaurants and other elements of tourism infrastructure. The capital of Côte d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, where 281 thousand people live. Other major cities of the country are Bwake, San Pedro, Korhogo, Ferkesedugu.

Story

The territory of modern Côte d'Ivoire was inhabited by pygmies as early as the 1st millennium BC. Soon other peoples began to move there, the first of them were the Senufo.

For the first time, Europeans began to land on the shores of modern Côte d'Ivoire in the 15th century. The Portuguese, Dutch, Danes visited here then. The Portuguese visited here in the 1460s. Colonization began with the arrival of the French, who from the middle of the 19th century began the economic development of the land. Local tribes were destroyed until 1917. The French exported diamonds and gold, coffee and cocoa from here, had banana plantations here. On March 10, 1893, the Ivory Coast was declared a colony of France, and in 1895 included in French West Africa. The Ivory Coast became a major producer of coffee and cocoa for the French markets. In 1934, Abidjan was declared the center of the colony. In 1945, the first political party arose - the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast, at first leaning towards Marxism, but from the beginning of the 50s it switched to positions close to the French right. In 1957, France granted local government to the colony.

On August 7, 1960, the independence of the country was proclaimed. the leader of the Democratic Party, Houphouet-Boigny, became its president, the DP became the ruling and sole party. The principle of inviolability of private property was proclaimed. The country continued to be an agrarian and raw materials appendage of France, but by African standards, its economy was in good condition, economic growth rates reached 11% per year. The Ivory Coast in 1979 became the world leader in the production of cocoa beans, but success in this area relied on good market conditions and a combination of great managers, foreign investment and a large number cheap workers, mostly guest workers from neighboring countries. However, in the 1980s, the prices for coffee and cocoa on world markets fell, in 1982-1983 the country suffered a severe drought, an economic recession began; by the end of the 1980s, per capita foreign debt exceeded that of all African countries except Nigeria. Under public pressure, Houphouet-Boigny made political concessions, legalized alternative ruling political parties, initiated the electoral process, and in 1990 was elected president.

In 1993, he died, and the country was headed by Henri Conan Bedier, who had long been considered his heir. In 1995, a forum was held on investment in the country's economy, in which Russian companies. In the late 90s, political instability increased, Bedier had a serious competitor: Allasan Ouattara, but he is a Burkina by origin, while the country's constitution allowed only Ivorians to vote. This circumstance greatly deepened the already outlined split of society along ethnic lines. By that time, from a third to a half of the country's population were people of foreign origin, mainly working earlier in agriculture, which had fallen into decline due to the bad economic situation.

On December 25, 1999, a military coup took place in the country, the organizer of which, Robert Guey, held the presidential elections the following year, marked by fraud and riots. Opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo was officially declared the winner of the election. On September 19, 2002, a military rebellion was organized in Abdijan, which was suppressed, but became the beginning of a civil war between political groups representing the north and south of the country. In 2003, an agreement was reached to end the clashes, but the situation continued to be unstable. A lasting peace agreement was only signed in the spring of 2007.

Politics

Côte d'Ivoire is a presidential republic. The President of the country is directly elected for a term of 5 years with the possibility of re-election only once. He has full executive power, appoints and dismisses the prime minister. The president has the legislative initiative along with the parliament (unicameral).