Post about Cat Divoir. Republic of Cote Divoir, or the Ivory Coast. Interesting facts about Ivory Coast

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COTE D'IVOIRE. Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. State in West Africa. Capital - Yamoussoukro (approx. 120 thousand people - 2003). Territory – 322.46 thousand square meters. km. Administrative division: 18 regions. Population – 21 million 058 thousand 798 people. (2010 estimate). Official language - French . Religion – traditional African beliefs, Islam and Christianity. The monetary unit is the CFA franc. National holiday - August 7 - Independence Day (1960). Côte d'Ivoire has been a member of the UN since 1960, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963 and the African Union (AU) since 2002, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States ( JEMOA) since 1962 and the Common Afro-Mauritian Organization (OCAM) since 1965.

State flag. A rectangular panel on which there are three vertical stripes of the same size in orange, white and green (the white stripe is in the center).

Geographical location and boundaries.

A continental state in southern West Africa. It borders in the west with Guinea and Liberia, in the north with Burkina Faso and Mali, in the east with Ghana, the southern coast of the country is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea. The length of the coastline is 550 km.

Nature.

Most of the territory is occupied by hilly plains, turning into a plateau in the north more than 400 m above sea level. In the northwest are the large Dan and Tura mountain ranges with deep gorges. The highest point is Mount Nimba (1752 m). Minerals - diamonds, bauxite, iron, gold, manganese, petroleum, nickel, natural gas and titanium. The climate of the northern and central regions is subequatorial dry, and that of the southern regions is equatorial humid. The zones of these climates differ mainly in the amount of precipitation. The average annual air temperature is +26° (Celsius). Average annual precipitation is 1300–2300 mm per year on the coast, 2100–2300 mm in the mountains and 1100–1800 mm in the north. Dense river network: the rivers Bandama, Dodo, Cavalli, Comoe, Nero, Sassandra, etc., which are unnavigable due to the presence of rapids (except for the Cavalli River). The largest river is Bandama (950 km). Lakes - Varapa, Dadier, Dalaba, Labion, Lupongo, etc. Cote d'Ivoire is one of 12 African countries that meet the population's needs for clean drinking water.

The southern regions are covered with evergreen equatorial forests (African lofira, iroko, red Bassam tree, niangon, ebony, etc.), in the north there are forest savannas with gallery forests along river banks and tall grass savannas. Due to deforestation (in order to expand arable land and export timber), their area decreased from 15 million hectares in the beginning. 20th century up to 1 million hectares in 1990. Fauna - antelopes, hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, hyenas, wild boars, leopards, lions, monkeys, panthers, elephants, jackals, etc. Many birds, snakes and insects. The tsetse fly is widespread. In coastal waters there is a lot of shrimp and fish (sardine, mackerel, tuna, eel, etc.).

Population.

The average annual population growth is 2.105%. The birth rate is 39.64 per 1000 people, the mortality rate is 18.48 per 1000 people. Infant mortality is 66.43 per 1000 births. 40.6% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents over 65 years of age account for 2.9%. Life expectancy is 56.19 years (55.27 for men and 57.13 years for women). (All figures are as of 2010).

Citizens of Côte d'Ivoire are called Ivorians. The country is inhabited by more than 60 African peoples and ethnic groups: Baule, Agni, Bakwe, Bambara, Bete, Guere, Dan (or Yacouba), Kulango, Malinke, Mosi, Lobi, Senufo, Tura, Fulbe etc. The non-African population in 1998 was 2.8% (130 thousand people Lebanese and Syrians, as well as 14 thousand French). Of the local languages, the most common languages ​​are Ani and Baule. About 25% of the population are immigrants who came to earnings from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Senegal. In the late 1990s, the government began to tighten immigration policies. As a result of a military coup and the outbreak of civil war, most immigrants became refugees and internally displaced persons. According to UN estimates, 600 thousand residents of Cote d'Ivoire fled to neighboring African states (the contingent of Ivorian refugees in Liberia in 2003 numbered 25 thousand people). OK. 50% of the population live in cities: Abidjan (3.1 million people - 2001), Agboville, Bouaké, Korhogo, Bundiali, Man, etc. In April 1983, the capital was moved to Yamoussoukro, however, Abidjan continues remain the political, business and cultural center of the country.

State structure.

Republic. The first constitution of an independent country was adopted in 1960. The constitution approved by a referendum on July 23, 2000 is in force. The head of state is the president, who is elected on the basis of universal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. He may hold office for no more than two five-year terms. Legislative power belongs to the president and the single-seat parliament (National Assembly). Members of Parliament are elected by universal direct and secret suffrage for five years.

Judicial system.

All administrative, civil, commercial and criminal cases are heard in the courts of first instance. A military tribunal was created in 1973. The highest body of judicial power is the Supreme Court.

Defense.

The national army was formed in 1961. In August 2002, the armed forces of Côte d'Ivoire consisted of ground forces (6.5 thousand people), air force (700 people), navy (900 people), paramilitary presidential guard (1,350 people) and a 10,000-strong contingent of reservists. Gendarmerie units numbered 7.6 thousand people, police - 1.5 thousand people. Compulsory military service was introduced in December 2001. In 1996, with the assistance of France, a center was opened in the country military training. In July 2004, 4 thousand French army troops were in the buffer zone between government troops and rebel forces (by decision of the UN, they will remain there until the 2005 elections). France supplies Côte d'Ivoire with equipment and assists in the military training of its units army.

Foreign policy.

Bilateral ties with France occupy an important place (diplomatic relations were established in 1961). She is the main trading partner of Côte d'Ivoire, she plays a primary role in resolving the political crisis of 1999–2003. Côte d'Ivoire became the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with South Africa (1992), and was one of the first in Africa to establish them with Israel. Interstate relations with Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Niger and other countries are complicated due to the refugee problem.

Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established in January 1967. In May 1969 they were severed on the initiative of the government of Cote d'Ivoire without an official explanation of the reasons. Diplomatic relations were restored on February 20, 1986. In 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. New agreements are being prepared in the field of improving contractual relations -legal basis for bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Cote d'Ivoire.

Economy.

It is based on a private form of ownership. Most mixed enterprises are under the control of foreign capital (mainly French). Cote d'Ivoire is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of Robusta coffee and cocoa beans. Since the 1960s, it has become the largest producer of palm oil among African states, and is in fifth place in the world in its exports (300 thousand tons annually).The country's economy was seriously affected by the consequences of the military coup: the GDP growth rate in 2000 was minus 0.3%, in 2003 - minus 1.9%.Inflation in 2003 was 4.1%.

Agriculture.

Cote d'Ivoire is a country with developed commercial agriculture. The share of agricultural products in GDP is 29% (2001). The area of ​​cultivated land is 9.28%, irrigated - 730 sq. km. (1998). Pineapples, bananas, sweet potatoes are grown , cocoa beans, coconuts, coffee, corn, cassava (cassava), millet, rice, sugar cane, sorghum, taro, cotton and yams Livestock (cows, goats, sheep, pigs) and poultry due to fly spread Tsetse is developed only in the northern regions. 65–70 thousand tons of fish are caught annually. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the major suppliers of timber and timber of their valuable tropical species.

Industry.

The share of industrial products in GDP is 22% (2001). The mining industry is poorly developed. Diamond production in 1998 amounted to 15 thousand carats, gold - 3.4 tons. The manufacturing industry accounts for approx. 13% of GDP (agricultural processing enterprises (including the production of palm oil and rubber), wood and metal processing plants, shoe and textile factories, as well as chemical industry enterprises). In con. In the 1990s, Cote d'Ivoire was in fourth place in the world in the development of the cocoa bean processing industry (225 thousand tons annually). Local production of consumer goods was well established.

Energy.

In 2001, 61.9% of electricity was generated at thermal power plants, 38.1% at hydroelectric power stations (Ayame, on the Belaya Bandama River, in Taabo). Cote d'Ivoire exports electricity to neighboring countries (1.3 billion kW - 2001). Oil production is underway (1027 thousand tons - 1997).

Transport.

The total length of railways is 660 km, roads – 68 thousand km (6 thousand km are paved, most of the roads are laid in the south) – 2002. The main seaports are Abidjan and San Pedro. In 2003, there were 37 airports and airstrips (7 paved). International airports are located in the cities of Abidjan, Bouaké and Yamoussoukro.

International trade.

Cote d'Ivoire is one of the few African countries whose foreign trade balance is dominated by exports. In 2003, exports amounted to $5.29 billion and imports amounted to $2.78 million. Main export products: coffee , cocoa beans, petroleum, construction timber and timber, cotton, bananas, palm oil, fish Main export partners: France (13.7%), Netherlands (12.2%), USA (7.2%), Germany (5.3%), Mali (4.4%), Belgium (4.2%), Spain (4.1%) - 2002. Main import goods - petroleum products, equipment, food. Main import partners: France (22.4%), Nigeria (16.3%), China (7.8%), and Italy (4.1%) - 2002.

Finance and credit.

The monetary unit is the CFA franc, consisting of 100 centimes. In December 2003, the national currency exchange rate was: 1 dollar. US = 581.2 CFA francs.

Administrative device.

The country is divided into 18 regions, which consist of 57 departments.

Political organizations.

A multi-party system emerged: in 2000 there were 90 political parties and associations. The most influential of them: Ivorian Popular Front, INF (Front populaire ivoirien, FPI). The ruling party. Founded in 1983 in France, legalized in 1990. Chairman - Affi N'Gessan, Secretary General - Sylvain Miaka Oureto; Democratic Party of Ivory Coast, PDCI (Parti démocratigue de la Côte d'Ivoire, PDCI). The party was founded in 1946 as a local section of the Democratic Rally of Africa (DOA). Leader - Henri Konan Bedié; Ivorian Workers' Party, IPT (Parti ivoirien des travailleurs, PIT). The Social Democratic Party became legal in 1990. General Secretary - Francis Wodié; An association Republicans, OR (Rassemblement des républicais). The party was founded in 1994 as a result of a split in the DPKI. Influential in northern Muslim areas. Leader - Alassane Dramme Ouattara, Secretary General - Henriette Dagba Diabaté; Union for Democracy and Peace of Ivory Coast, SDMKI (Union pour la democratie et pour la paix de la Côte d'Ivoire, UDPCI). Founded in 2001 as a result of a split in the DPKI. Leader - Paul Akoto Yao.

Trade union associations.

General Union of Workers of Côte d'Ivoire (Union générale des travailleurs de Côte d'Ivoire, UGTCI). Created in 1962, has 100 thousand members. The General Secretary is Adiko Niamkey.

Religions.

55% of the indigenous population adhere to traditional beliefs and cults (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors and forces of nature, etc.), 25% are Muslims (mostly Sunnis), Christianity is professed by 20% of the population (Catholics - 85%, Protestants - 15%) - 1999. (The number of Muslims is much larger as they constitute the majority of illegal foreign workers. Muslims live mainly in the northern regions of the country). There are several Afro-Christian churches. The spread of Christianity began at the end. 19th century

Education.

Primary education is compulsory (6 years), which children receive from the age of six. Secondary education (7 years) begins at the age of 12 and takes place in two cycles. In the 1970s, television teaching was widespread in primary and some secondary schools. A network of educational institutions providing vocational and technical education has been created. The higher education system includes three universities and eight colleges. In 2000, 45 thousand students studied and 990 teachers worked at twelve faculties and departments of the national university in Abidjan (founded in 1964). Training is conducted in French. Education in state educational institutions is free. In 2004, 42.48% of the population was literate (40.27% of men and 44.76% of women).

Healthcare.

Tropical diseases are common - bilharziosis, yellow fever, malaria, sleeping sickness, schistomatosis, etc. A serious disease called "river blindness" is common in river valleys. The rate of leprosy (leprosy) is one of the highest in West Africa. The problem of AIDS is acute. In 1988, 250 people died from it, in 2001 – 75 thousand people, there were 770 thousand HIV-infected people. On Wednesday In the 1990s, national broadcasting began broadcasting a special awareness-raising program, “Talking Drum,” dedicated to AIDS issues. In con. In the 1980s, the United States opened a research center in Abidjan to study and control this disease.

Press, radio broadcasting, television and Internet.

Published in French: daily newspapers "Ivoir-soir" ("Ivoire-evening") and "Voi" (La Voie - "The Path", the printed organ of the INF), weekly newspapers "Lingerie" (Le Bélier - " Aries"), "Democrat" (Le Démocrate - "Democrat", printed organ of the DPKI), "Nouvel horizon" (Le Nouvel horizon - "New Horizon", printed organ of the INF) and "Wives Democrat" (Le Jeune démocrate - "Young democrat"), the weekly "Abidjan set jours" (Abidjan 7 jours - "Abidjan for the week"), the monthly newspaper "Alif" (Alif), covering the problems of Islam, the monthly magazine "Eburnéa", etc. The government news agency is the Ivorian Press Agency, AIP (Agence ivoirienne de presse, AIP). Created in 1961. The government service Ivorian Broadcasting and Television was founded in 1963. The AIP and service are located in Abidjan. 9 thousand Internet users (2002).

Tourism.

The country has a whole range of necessary conditions for the development of the tourism industry: a favorable climate, a variety of rich flora and fauna, beautiful sandy beaches on the Gulf of Guinea coast and the original culture of local peoples. The active development of the tourism industry began with the implementation in 1970 of a special program designed to last until 1980 (22% of capital investments were foreign investments). Eight tourist zones were identified, on the territory of which by the end of the 1980s more than 170 hotels of various classes were built. In the 1990s, the fashionable, ultra-modern Golf and Ivoire hotels were built in Abidjan, equipped with golf courses and ice tracks. Until 1997, income from the tourism business annually amounted to approx. $140 million. In 1998, 301 thousand foreign tourists visited the country. In 1997, 15 travel agencies were successfully operating on the market, many of which were also involved in organizing business tourism.

Attractions in Abidjan: National Museum (traditional arts and crafts are presented, including a rich collection of masks), Chardy Art Gallery. Other attractions are the Comoe National Park, the famous Gbon Coulibaly Museum in Korhogo (pottery, blacksmith and wood crafts), picturesque mountain landscapes in the Man area, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace (very reminiscent of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome) in Yamoussoukro, waterfall Mont Tonqui. Tai National Park (in the southwest), with a large number of endemic plants, is included in the UN category of world heritage. National cuisine - "atyeke" (a dish made from cassava, with fish or meat sauce), "kejena" (fried chicken with rice and vegetables), "fufu" (dough balls made from yams, cassava or bananas, served to fish or meat with the addition of sauces).

Architecture.

The architectural forms of traditional housing are varied: in the south - rectangular or square wooden houses with a gable roof made of palm leaves; in the central regions, adobe houses of rectangular shape (sometimes rounded corners) under a flat roof, divided into several rooms, are common; in the east - rectangular houses with flat roofs, and in other areas the houses are round or oval in plan, the thatched roof has a conical shape. The outside of adobe houses is often covered with designs of geometric shapes, birds, real and mystical animals, which are done with yellow, red and black paints. Fashionable hotels and supermarkets made of reinforced concrete structures and glass have become a hallmark of modern cities.

Fine arts and crafts.

Wooden sculpture, especially masks, occupies an important place in traditional Ivorian culture. The ritual masks of the Senufo people are especially diverse. Among the Dan and Gere peoples there are masks with a movable jaw. Art historians consider the wooden sculpture of the Baule people to be the best example of African round sculpture of a non-cult nature. In addition to traditional figurines depicting ancestors, animals and various patron spirits, Baule craftsmen make small toy figures for children. The clay funeral figurines of the Anya people are interesting. Artistic folk crafts are well developed: weaving baskets and mats from ropes, straw and reeds, pottery (making household utensils and interior decoration items), painting the outside of houses, making jewelry from bronze, gold and copper, as well as weaving. The production of batik is developed - original paintings on fabrics depicting animals or plant patterns. Batiks of the Senufo people are presented in many museums around the world. Professional fine art began to develop after independence. Outside the country, the name of the artist Kadjo Zdeims Hura is well known. In 1983, the National Association of Artists organized the first professional exhibition of Ivorian painters, in which more than 40 artists took part.

Literature.

Modern literature is based on the traditions of oral folk art and develops mainly in French. Its formation is associated with national drama. The most important of the writers is considered to be the poet, prose writer and playwright Bernard Dadier. Writers - M. Asamua, E. Decren, S. Dembele, B. Z. Zauru, M. Kone, A. Loba, S. Z. Nokan and others. In 2000, the last novel (“Allah is not obliged”) by the famous writer was published Amadou Kuruma (died in France in December 2003). His first novel, Independence Sun (1970), is included in the curricula of many African, American and European universities. The most famous poets are F. Amua, G. Anala, D. Bamba, J-M. Bognini, J. Dodo and B. Z. Zauru.

Music and theater.

The art of music and dance has long traditions and is an important part of the culture of the peoples of Cote d'Ivoire. Common musical instruments include balafons, tom-tom drums, guitars, kora (xylophone), rattles, horns, unique harps and lutes, rattles, trumpets and flutes. Choral singing is accompanied by original dances.The ritual dances of the Baule people are interesting. ge-gblin(“people on stilts”) among the Dan people, as well as kinion-pli(harvest dance). In the 1970s–1980s, the National Ballet Folklore Dance Troupe and the Gyula group were created. At the All-African Music Festival, held in 2000 in Sun City (South Africa), the famous Ivorian musician Vanamh received one of the awards.

The development of theatrical art began with the creation of amateur school groups in the 1930s. In 1938, the so-called Native Theater was created in Abidjan. After independence, a professional theater school was created at the National Institute of Arts, where actors from France taught. Plays by French and Ivorian authors were staged. The play “Tunyantigi” (“Speaker of the Truth”) by local writer A. Kuruma was popular. In the 1980s, the Koteba theater troupe was especially popular.

Cinema.

Developed since the 1960s. First film - On the dunes of solitude- filmed by director T. Basori in 1963. In 1974, the Association of Professional Cinematographers was created. In 1993, Ivorian director Adama Rouamba made the film In the name of Christ. The film was released in 2001 Adanggaman famous Ivorian director Roger Gnoan M'Bala (about the problems of slavery) and the film Skins from the Bronx(about life in Abidjan) by French director Eliard Delatour, living in Cote d'Ivoire.

Story.

Pre-colonial period.

The modern territory of Côte d'Ivoire was inhabited by pygmies at the beginning of the Stone Age. From the 1st millennium AD, other peoples began to penetrate from the west through several migration flows. The first settlers were the Senufo, who gradually began to become involved in agriculture. The settlement process , which lasted for several centuries almost until the beginning of the colonial conquest, was largely associated with the slave trade in the coastal regions of the Gold Coast (modern Ghana), from which local residents fled.

Colonial period.

Europeans (Portuguese, English, Danes and Dutch) landed on the coast of what is now Côte d'Ivoire in the late 15th century. Colonization began in 1637 with French missionaries. Economic development began in the 1840s: French colonists mined gold, harvested and exported tropical wood, plantations of coffee imported from Liberia were established.On March 10, 1893, the Ivory Coast was officially declared a colony of France, and from 1895 included in French West Africa (FWA).The local population actively resisted the colonialists (Agny uprisings in 1894–1895, Guro in 1912 -1913, etc.). It intensified during the First World War due to forced recruitment into the French army. During the interwar period, the colony became a major producer of coffee, cocoa beans and tropical timber. In 1934, Abidjan became its administrative center. The first batch of African population - the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (DP BC) - created in 1945 on the basis of unions of local farmers.It became the territorial section of the DOA (Democratic Rally of Africa) - the general political organization of the FZA, headed by the African planter Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Under the influence of the national liberation movement, France in 1957 granted the BSC the right to create a territorial legislative assembly (parliament). In 1957 BSK received the status of an autonomous republic. After the elections to the legislative assembly (April 1959), a government was formed headed by F. Houphouet-Boigny.

Period of independent development.

Independence declared on August 7 1960. F. Houphouët-Boigny became President of the Republic of Ivory Coast (IIC). A policy of economic liberalism was proclaimed, based on the inviolability of private property. DP BSK became the only ruling party. In the 1960–1980s, a distinctive feature of the country's development was high rates of economic growth (mainly due to the export of coffee and cocoa beans): in 1960–1970, GDP growth was 11%, in 1970–1980 – 6–7%. Per capita income in 1975 – 500 US dollars (in 1960 – 150 US dollars). In the 1980s, due to the fall in world prices for coffee and cocoa beans, an economic recession began. F. Houphouët-Boigny remained the permanent president. In October 1985, the country received the name "Republic of Cote d'Ivoire", DP BSK was renamed DPKI - "Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire". Under pressure from the social movement for democratic freedoms, a multi-party system was introduced in May 1990. F. Houphouet-Boigny won the presidential elections in 1990. The main direction of economic policy in the 1990s was the expansion of privatization (in 1994–1998 more than 50 companies were privatized. After the death of F. Houphouet-Boigny (1993), his successor Henri Conan Bedier (elected in 1995) became president. Until 1994, the economy was in decline due to the collapse of world prices for coffee and cocoa beans , rising oil prices, severe drought of 1982–1983, ill-considered spending of external loans by the government, as well as cases of their direct theft. The government began to pursue a policy of encouraging foreign investment in the economy. In October 1995, the country hosted the “Invest in Côte d” forum Yvoire”, in which Russian companies also participated among 350 foreign firms. In 1996, the “Mountain Forum” was held. GDP growth in 1998 was approx. 6% (1994 – 2.1%), inflation rate in 1996–1997 – 3% (1994 – 32%).

A characteristic feature of the country's development in 1960–1999 was political stability. On Wednesday In the 1990s, there were more than 50 political parties. An amendment to the constitution (Article 35 - granting the right to be elected to government bodies only to persons who have Ivorian citizenship by birth, marriage or naturalization) did not allow the candidacy of Allassane Ouattara (a Burkinabe by birth) to be nominated for the presidency. He was nominated by the Rassemblement Republicans (RR) party and was a serious competitor to A. Konan Bedier, the only candidate in the upcoming presidential elections of 2000. Demonstrations of thousands organized by the opposition in September 1998 to protest against the discriminatory article of the constitution were accompanied by clashes with the police. Political tension intensified in October 1999 - mass demonstrations in support of A.D. Ouattara took place in the capital and other cities, and arrests of opposition activists began. They were supported by soldiers who were dissatisfied with the delay in paying them their salaries. The authorities underestimated the seriousness of the situation. The military performance was led by retired General Robert Gay. The rebels took control of all key services in the capital. It was announced that the constitution would be suspended, the current president would be removed, and the government and parliament would be dissolved. Power passed to the National Committee of Public Safety (NCOS), headed by R. Gay. The situation in the country was soon normalized. In January 2000, a transitional government was formed, in which General R. Gay took over as president of the republic and minister of defense.

Ivory Coast in the 21st century

In July 2000, a new constitution was approved by referendum and adopted (its 35th article remained unchanged). The presidential elections took place on October 22, 2000. The leader of the opposition Rally of Republicans, A. Ouattara, was again unable to stand as a candidate due to a discriminatory article in the constitution. The victory was won by the representative of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent Gbagbo (60% of the votes). The military regime was abolished. Parliamentary elections were held from December 10, 2000 to January 14, 2001. The FPI received 96 mandates, the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire - 94, independent candidates - 22. On September 19, 2002, a military mutiny was raised in the cities of Abidjan, Bouaké and Korhogo: 750 military personnel stormed government offices and residences of government members. In fact, this was an attempt at a coup d'etat, since President L. Gbagbo was at that time on an official visit to Italy. With the help of army units of ECOWAS member countries, the rebellion in Abidjan was suppressed. However, rebel groups managed to take control of all the northern, as well as part of the central and western regions. In some areas, clashes began on ethnic and religious grounds. Armed groups from Liberia and Sierra Leone took the side of the rebels, which strained interstate relations between Côte d'Ivoire and these countries.

In March 2003, a coalition government of national reconciliation was formed, which also included representatives of the opposition (since January 2003, the rebels began to call themselves “New Force”). The official end of the civil war was declared in July 2003, but the country remained split into two parts: the government-controlled south and the opposition-controlled north. At the end of February 2004, to help the government resolve the conflict, the UN Security Council sent a unit of 6,240 people to Côte d'Ivoire. Regular meetings of the coalition government were held until March 2004. Ministers representing the opposition announced a boycott of them after the security forces dispersed demonstrations organized by " New force" (there were casualties). Armed rebels continued to fully control the northern part of the country in July 2004. In the same month, parliament discussed a number of problems that the opposition demanded solutions, in particular the issue of land ownership in the northern regions. The President promised after the unification of the country hold a referendum on the issue of nationality. At the summit of 13 African countries held in late July and early August 2004 in Accra (Ghana), an agreement was reached between the government of Côte d'Ivoire and the rebels to resolve the internal conflict. The New Force has pledged to begin disarmament after October 15, 2004, the date of completion of political reforms agreed to in January 2003. But the issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and citizenship issues, remain unresolved.

On October 31 and November 28, 2010, the first presidential elections since 2000 were finally held in Côte d'Ivoire, which were postponed for almost a decade due to the civil war. A total of 14 candidates took part in the elections. None of the candidates managed to win an absolute majority of votes, and by law, the two candidates who received the most votes advanced to the second round.

The current President Laurent Gbagbo, who received just over 38% of the vote and enjoyed the support of the south of the country, and the leader of the opposition, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, who enjoyed the support of the population of the northern part of the country and received about 33% of the vote, advanced to the second round.

On December 2, 2010, preliminary voting results were announced, according to which A. Ouattara received 54% of the votes. But the constitutional council immediately called these results invalid. On December 3, Laurent Gbagbo was declared the winner. Alassane Ouattara also declared himself victorious and also took the presidential oath. The USA, France, the UN, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the European Union supported Ouattara. In response, Gbabgo ordered UN peacekeeping troops to leave the country. However, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire until June 30, 2011. The World Bank stopped lending to the country.

The situation of political crisis in the country was accompanied by unrest, borders were closed, and broadcasting of foreign satellite TV channels was stopped. The number of refugees to neighboring Liberia has increased (according to the UN, by mid-February 2010 their number was 50 thousand people, and by April 2011 it will exceed 100 thousand people). Against the backdrop of political instability, the epidemiological situation in the country has also worsened - outbreaks of yellow fever, malaria and an outbreak of cholera have been recorded in the municipality of Abidjan.

In 2011, the confrontation between the two leaders, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, again resulted in a civil war.

The low-intensity conflict escalated sharply in late March - early April 2011. Fierce fighting began in the country with numerous casualties. Gbagbo's army began to use heavy weapons against its opponents.

The French military contingent, located in this former French colony under a UN mandate, intervened in the situation. Alassane Ouattara's Republican Army, with the support of French troops, took control of the central areas of Abidjan on the night of April 5, 2011 and also captured the presidential palace where Gbagbo was located. Laurent Gbagbo, along with his son and wife, was arrested by the French military and handed over to the opposition.

Following Gbagbo's arrest, Allassane Ouattara announced the creation of a commission that would investigate allegations of brutality against civilians.

Lyubov Prokopenko

The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures everywhere are 25-30 °C, but the amount of precipitation and its regime are different. In the equatorial climate zone, oceanic air dominates all year and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which per year reaches 2400 mm (mainly in March-June and December-January). In the north - in a 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 Dan Mountains - the highest point in the country (1340 m). Almost throughout the entire territory there are outcrops of ancient rocks of the African Platform: granites predominate in the west and north, and clayey shales in the east. Deposits of gold, diamonds, manganese, and iron ores have been discovered here. The coast of the Gulf of Guinea is slightly indented and separated from the sea by a strip of sandy sediments. The main rivers - Comoe, Bandama, Sassandra, Cavalli - are not navigable.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation cover in the south is dominated by humid equatorial forests, where more than 600 species of trees grow, including valuable species (about 35 species are used for timber, of which 5 are mahogany species). To the north, humid forests give way to savannah, into which islands of gallery forests are wedged along river valleys. Further north, the islands of trees disappear and most of the territory is covered with tall grass savanna. Both the flora and fauna of the Ivory Coast are better preserved than in other countries of West Africa: in the forests there are numerous monkeys (monkeys, chimpanzees, gverets, etc.), elephants, hippopotamuses, forest antelopes, brush-eared pigs, and water deer are found; In the savannas there are various species of antelope, as well as leopard, cheetah, and serval. A network of nature reserves and national parks has been created, including on the slopes of Mount Nimba (on the border with Guinea and Liberia), 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 their own unique exotic culture. There are three subgroups of nationalities: Guinean (Kru, Baule, Anyi, etc.), Voltaic (Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Kulango, Mosi) and Mande (Malinke and others). The majority of the population is engaged in agriculture (cocoa, coffee, etc.) and maintains both a traditional way of life and traditional animistic beliefs.

Big cities

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

Story

The territory of modern Cote'd Ivoire was inhabited by pygmies back in the 1st millennium BC. Soon other peoples began to move there, the first of them being the Senufo.

Europeans first began landing on the shores of modern Ivory Coast in the 15th century. The Portuguese, Dutch, and Danes visited here then. The Portuguese visited here in the 1460s. Colonization began with the arrival of the French, who began economic development of the land in the mid-19th century. Local tribes were destroyed until 1917. The French exported diamonds and gold, coffee and cocoa from here, and had banana plantations here. On March 10, 1893, Ivory Coast was declared a colony of France, and in 1895 it was included in French West Africa. Ivory Coast became a major producer of coffee and cocoa for 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, which at first leaned towards Marxism, but from the early 50s switched to positions close to the French right. In 1957, France granted local self-government to the colony.

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

In 1993, he died, and the country was led by Henri Konan 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 also participated. In the late 90s, political instability intensified, Bedier had a serious competitor: Allasan Ouattara, but he is Burkinabe by origin, while the country's constitution allowed only Ivorians to participate in elections. This circumstance greatly deepened the already emerging split in society along ethnic lines. By that time, from a third to a half of the country’s population were people of foreign origin, mostly who had previously worked 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 Guay, held presidential elections the following year, marked by fraud and riots. Opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo was officially declared the winner of the elections. On September 19, 2002, a military rebellion was organized in Abdijan, which was suppressed, but became the beginning of a civil war between political factions representing the north and south of the country. In 2003, an agreement was reached to end the clashes, but the situation continued to remain unstable. A lasting peace agreement was only signed in the spring of 2007.

Policy

Cote 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 and appoints and removes the prime minister. The President has legislative initiative along with the parliament (unicameral).

Cote d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa. In the north it borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, in the east with Ghana, in the west with Liberia and Guinea. In the south it is washed by the Gulf of Guinea.

Capital: Yamoussoukro

CLIMATE OF COTE D'IVOIRE

Ivory Coast

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 its regime are different. The climate in the southern part of the country, in the equatorial climate zone, is hot and humid with heavy rains.
Temperatures range from 22 C to 32 C, and the heaviest rain occurs 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 the summer it exceeds +40 C), there is much less precipitation (1100–1800 mm) and a pronounced dry winter period. 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.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF COTE D'IVOIRE

The coastal zone is dominated by dense tropical forests, where more than 600 species of trees grow. In the north and center of the country lies a vast savannah.

The territory of the republic is inhabited by jackal, hyena, panther, elephant, chimpanzee, crocodile, brush-eared pigs, several species of lizards and snakes. There are antelopes in the savannas,

leopards, cheetahs, servals.

GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE OF COTE D'IVOIRE

Full name: Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The government system is a presidential republic. The country is divided into 26 departments. Formally, the administrative center of the country is Yamoussoukro, in fact the capital of Côte d'Ivoire is Abidjan.

ATTRACTIONS OF COTE D'IVOIRE

If you are interested in African history, art or music, Côte d'Ivoire is the place to explore these aspects of local culture. The art of Côte d'Ivoire is considered one of the best in West Africa and is very distinctive in each ethnic group. The Baule and Yakub peoples are widely known for their original wooden sculpture, usually a traditional wooden mask is a very accurate depiction of a human face, slightly exaggerated to more fully convey character traits. Another characteristic work of local artisans is the large rice cooking spoon, which is typically humanoid in shape and makes an excellent 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 the “fire” helmet mask, which is a compilation of the appearance of an antelope, warthog and hyena - the most respected animals of the local animist cult.

City of Yamoussoukro

The city of Yamoussoukro became the capital in 1983, and is still the capital in name. The main attraction of the city is the Notre-Dame de la Pax church, built in the 60s of the 20th century. It is currently the tallest 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 occupy four peninsulas around the lagoon. Known as the "Paris of West Africa", Abidjan has quite a lot
attractions: Abidjan has a traditional large market for handicrafts, many picturesque parks, Le Plateau Park is especially beautiful. The central, commercial part of the city and Cocody, the chic residential section, are interesting for their architecture - here you will find the imperial Ivory Hotel, considered the most famous hotel in West Africa and the main attraction of the city. It has everything you can imagine - a swimming pool, an artificial ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino and the city's main art store. Next to the hotel is the Saint-Paul Cathedral, built by Italians and consecrated by the Pope in 1985, which can compete in beauty and grace with many temples in the world. Connected to Le Plateau by two major bridges, Treichville has the largest of the city's four markets,

Most of the city's nightclubs are also concentrated. The northwestern outskirts of the city, the Parc du Banco, is a tropical forest that smoothly merges with the city buildings, which guarantees pleasant walks (this is the coolest place on the southern coast of the country) and is very popular with jogging lovers.

The country's rainforests are rapidly declining (one of the highest rates in the world), with the only remaining virgin forest in the Tán and Marajuz National Parks, covering 3,600 square kilometers. km area in the southwestern part of the country. Trees 50 meters high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots, are still preserved here. Walking through the equatorial primary forest is a unique experience: tall trees intertwined with vines, fast flowing streams and relict wildlife come together in one place, creating a peaceful and enchanting landscape that nevertheless requires a lot of effort to travel through. The parks are in a very rainy and humid area, so the best time to visit is during the dry period from December to February. To visit the parks you need permission from the Ministry of Forests in Abidjan.

Comoe National Park, the largest in West Africa, is located 570 km northeast of Abidjan. Here, next to the river of the same name, there is one of the most popular “animal trails”, where you can watch in the natural environment how large herds of animals go out to the river during the dry season in search of water, where there is an excellent opportunity to observe the habits of a wide variety of representatives local fauna.

The Man area in the central part of the country is an area of ​​lush green hills and is famous far beyond the country for its La Cascade waterfall, located in a bamboo forest 5 km west of the city, as well as the steep, tooth-shaped Mont Tonqui and Mt. La Dent de Man (“The Tooth of Man”), considered according to local legends to be the “guardian angel” of this area of ​​the country. Other attractions in the area are the colorful villages of Biankouma, Goussusso, Sipitu and Danane. Korhogo has been the capital of the Senufo people since the 13th century, and the heart of this city is its bustling market. The Senufo are widely known for their wood carvings and are also skilled blacksmiths and potters. Most woodcarvers live and work in a small area called the Sculptors' Apartment.

The Senufo are divided into 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 testing. Childhood education is divided into three seven-year periods, ending with an initiation ceremony. Each community has a "sacred forest" where training is carried out (non-initiates are never allowed to observe the trials). Some ritual ceremonies take place directly in the village and are allowed for tourists to visit. These include La Danse des Hommes Panteres ("dance of the leopard people"), performed when the boys return from a training session in the forest and many more.

The Sassandra port area has beautiful beaches. But what makes this area especially attractive is that it is also home to numerous ethnic Fanti fishing villages, with an active port and a picturesque river. It is also highly recommended to try the local “bangi” - palm wine, which is produced only here. The town of Sassandra was previously an important trading port, but when a modern terminal was built at nearby San Pedro, its role declined and the entire area is now an excellent tourist area. Located 3 km to the east, Beach de Bivac is one of the best spots for surfing. Large waves are also recorded in the adjacent Poly-Plage, as well as in the area of ​​​​the beaches of Gran Belebi near the Liberian border.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COTE D'IVOIRE

Ivory Coast won the two longest penalty shootouts in international history. In the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations final, they defeated Ghana 11-10 in a 24-penalty shootout. In the quarterfinals of the 2006 Cup - Cameroon, with a score of 12-11.

NATIONAL CUISINE OF COTE D'IVOIRE

The pride of the population of Côte d'Ivoire is its national cuisine. Of course, such a long stay under French rule as a colony also left its mark on the traditions of the cuisine of the people of the country of Côte d’Ivoire. This brought some sophistication. But the original food of the indigenous population cannot leave even an avid gourmet indifferent. Try atyeke, kejen, fufu - and you will come to national restaurants again and again. After all, these are unsurpassed dishes of meat and fish, seasoned with vegetables and luxurious sauces. Just finger-licking good. Sauces are a completely separate topic in the national cuisine of Côte d’Ivoire. This is the highlight of the West African forge. If you haven't tried palm grain sauce, you haven't tried anything!

INFORMATION

CôTE D'IVOIRE time

It is 4 hours behind Moscow.

Holidays COTE D'IVOIRE

late December and early February - Tabaski (African name for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha - Kurban Bayram)

March-April – Clean Monday

May - Ascension

May-June - Trinity Day

August 7 - Independence Day from France, celebrated on December 7, since August is not the time for holidays - field work is in full swing

October - Eid al-Miraj (Rajab Bayram), a Muslim holiday in memory of the Prophet's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and back

October - early November - Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Muslim holiday of breaking the fast)

December 25 – Christmas

Currency of COTE D'IVOIRE

The national currency is the West African CFA franc, equal to 100 centimes.

Communications in COTE D'IVOIRE

Russian operators do not have GPRS roaming. There are several internet cafes in Abidjan.

Communication standard GSM 900/1800. Roaming is available to Beeline and Megafon subscribers.

Transport in COTE D'IVOIRE

Every city has a bus station, called "Gare routiere", from where all intercity transport departs. The main means of transportation are 22-seater “Mille kilos” minibuses and 7-seater old Peugeot 504 minibuses. Ordinary buses in the usual sense of the word, with air conditioning and a clear schedule, are quite rare and operate only between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro.

A 655 km railway line connects Abidjan with the northern part of the country. The daily train departs at 10.30 am from Abidjan to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), passing through the cities of Bouaké and Ferkessedouou, arriving at the latter late at night. In the return direction, the train from Burkina Faso departs Ferkessedougoou at night and arrives in Abidjan at noon. The trains are relatively comfortable; there are both carriages with airplane seats and 2-4 seater sleeping compartments.

The national carrier, Air Ivoire, connects Abidjan with a number of major cities in the country: Bouaké, Buna, Touba and Yamoussoukro. Flights operate daily and fares range from $40 to $70 one way.

Customs

The import and export of currency is not limited. A customs declaration upon entry and exit is not required. Duty-free import of clothes and other items intended for personal use is allowed.

The import of weapons and ammunition, narcotic and psychotropic substances is prohibited. The export of weapons, drugs, food in large quantities, exotic plants, animals and birds is prohibited. Antiquities and art, items made of gold and precious metals are subject to mandatory customs control. The export of animal skins, ivory and crocodile skin products is prohibited without the appropriate permit.

Visa to COTE D'IVOIRE

To visit Côte d'Ivoire, Russian citizens require a visa. A visa can be obtained from the Ivory Coast embassy in Moscow.

Required documents

Application form and photographs in the amount of 4 pieces (the application form is issued in Russian or French)

Original invitation

Flights

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

There are no restrictions on movement within the country. An airport tax (about 2 USD) is charged on domestic flights.

Cote d'Ivoire. Ivory Coast. West Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean. The territory that the Ivorians themselves call the Land of Hope.

Once upon a time, a thousand years BC, the first inhabitants - pygmies - settled here. Europeans came here in the 15th century. At the end of the 19th century, Cote d'Ivoire became a colony of France, supplying it with cocoa beans, bananas and mahogany. In 1960 the country became independent. In the 2000s, Cote d'Ivoire was full of riots, coups, civil war and closed borders. Just ten years ago the country gained stability. And finally, tourists began to visit it again, for whom the Ivory Coast government is trying to create the most favorable conditions.

The country deserves a tourism boom, it has everything for this: a good climate, unique nature, exotic animals, the most interesting culture of local peoples (and there are more than 60 of them!), magnificent sandy beaches on the Gulf of Guinea, interesting sights, a lot of hotels of different levels and three international airport.

But for now, Cote d’Ivoire is located somewhat off the beaten tourist path, although there is a plus in this - the local population is not at all aggressive towards the white man, the people are simple, friendly, and do not beg, unlike residents of countries popular among tourists. And for collectors of African art, this is simply paradise.

What is interesting to see in Cote d'Ivoire?

A completely new, but already iconic object of Cote d’Ivoire. This Catholic cathedral was built in 1985 in Abidjan, the largest city in the country. It was consecrated by the Pope himself. A huge building, stylized as the figure of St. Paul with a cloak fluttering behind him.

It makes an impression even on people who have no imagination and do not recognize futurism, surrealism and other cubism. Inside there are colored stained glass windows on an African-evangelical theme. You can take pictures! Be sure to go upstairs to the cathedral platform, which offers views of the entire city and the Ebrier Lagoon.

An amazing, very unusual in appearance temple, also located in Abidjan. The building looks like a spiral road going up. Inside there are stained glass windows with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The temple is operational and regular services are held here.

National Museum in Abidjan

The museum is a little confusing in terms of exhibitions, but very interesting. Musical instruments - flutes and tom-tom drums, figurines, panels. But the most important thing is a huge collection of famous eerie mystical masks depicting a human face.

45 km from Abidjan is the city of Grand Bassam, which is declared a cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. This is a ghost town. In the late 19th century, it was the capital of a French colony until a yellow fever epidemic broke out.

The surviving Europeans left the city, leaving behind houses, monuments and sculptures. A mirage of the past with colonial architecture. The once luxurious buildings now have a very shabby, dilapidated appearance.

But Grand Bassam has another side: it is a resort town, it is located on the coast, there are excellent sandy beaches and many decent hotels with good cuisine.

Notre-Dame de la Paix - Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

Landmark of the capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Yamoussoukro, located 240 km from Abidjan: Notre-Dame de la Paix. Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

The largest cathedral in the world, included in the Guinness Book of Records, has an interesting backstory. Yamoussoukro, a town with a population of less than 200 thousand people, became the capital only because it was the birthplace of the country's first president, the late Felix Houphouet-Boigny, whom Ivorians greatly respect and call Papa Houphet. He immortalized his name by erecting the largest basilica in the world, and placing his image on the stained glass window of the church next to the face of Christ.

The huge dome of the cathedral is visible for tens of kilometers, all around is a bare savannah with hot red sand, clouding the sky during the harmattan wind blowing from the Sahara.

The temple is built of Italian marble with French stained glass windows. Hundreds of meters of stained glass! Stunning view, incredible. Bright light pouring through colored glass against the backdrop of the minimalist decoration of the Cathedral. Impressive.

Kong is an ancient city founded in the 11th century and once the capital of an entire empire. It was through Kong, which was then the center of caravan trade with the Berber and Tuareg tribes, that Islam spread throughout the northern part of the Ivory Coast. Now Kong is a remote place, but the mosque, built in the 16th century, is perfectly preserved. National treasure of Côte d'Ivoire.

The Tingrel Mosque is located in the town of the same name, built in 1655. The name of the mason who built it has been preserved - Massa. The mosque was reconstructed over 10 years and is now open to the public. A very unique architectural building.

UNESCO included the Thai National Park in the category of world heritage. This is real African exotica. 1300 species of plants and trees that grow only here! Tai is located in the south of the country, between the Sassandra and Kavalya rivers. The largest equatorial forest in West Africa, the last remnant of the Guinean forest, which once covered the territory of several countries. There are huge, simply gigantic trees, hundreds (!) of orchid species, flocks of chimpanzees, buffalos, leopards and pygmy hippos.

Neighborhoods of the city of Man

The city of Man is located in the center of Côte d'Ivoire. Its surroundings are famous all over the world. Unique nature, 5 km from the city - a bamboo forest, two mountains - the mascots of the city - Mont Tonqui and La Dent de Man ("The Human Tooth"), La Cascade waterfall. Mana hosts carnivals, holidays and a festival of those same masks - in February.

Korhogo is the central city of the Senufo people, who preserve pagan cults and rituals. The people are famous for their crafts - blacksmithing, pottery, leatherworking, and, of course, wood carving - Senufo wooden masks, belonging to the funeral cult, convey the spirit of Africa like nothing else.

Some Senufo ritual ceremonies (for example, the Dance of the Leopard People) are allowed for tourists.

Comoe National Park is located 570 km from Abidjan, in the northeast of the country. This is another area listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Located between the Buna and Comoe rivers. All types of African crocodiles live here, and hippos graze in the floodplains along the rivers. You can see monkeys, hyenas and indecently sized parrots. And many, many different migratory birds.

The name of this country alone beckons and fascinates. Try saying it several times: Cote D'Ivoire... Cote D'Ivoire... Cote D'Ivoire... You wanted to visit it, didn't you? Then it's time for you to go. Cote D'Ivoire is waiting.

P.S. Do not forget that English is not spoken here, the official language is French, and many residents in the outback do not know it either.

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

Geography: A state in West Africa on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. In the north it borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, in the east with Ghana, in the west with Liberia and Guinea. The coast of the country is indented by a large number of large and deep lagoons, stretching for 300 km. from the Ghanaian border and along the east coast. The coastal zone is covered with the remnants of once dense tropical forests, stretching 100 km inland. in the center and at 265 km. in the east and west. Beyond the forests in the north and 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 time. It lags behind Moscow by 3 hours in winter, and by 4 hours in summer.

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 its regime are different. The climate in the southern part of the country, in the equatorial climate zone, is hot and humid with heavy rains. Temperatures range from 22 C to 32 C, and the heaviest rain occurs 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 the summer it exceeds +40 C), there is much less precipitation (1100–1800 mm) and a pronounced dry winter period. 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 it is low, in the north it turns into a plateau with a height of 500-800 m. In the west, in the Dan Mountains is the highest point of the country (1340 m). The coast of the Gulf of Guinea is separated from the sea by a strip of sandy sediments forming a chain of lagoons; the largest - Ebrije - is connected to the sea by a shipping canal. The main rivers are Comoe, Bandama, Sassandra and Cavalli. The climate is preferable. subequatorial with a dry winter season, when the northeast harmattan 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 forests, passing through sparse savannas with areas of gallery forests into tall grass savannas in the north of the country. The fauna is well preserved. In the forests there are numerous monkeys, forest antelopes, brush-eared pigs, etc.; in the savannas - antelopes, elephants, hippopotamuses, leopard, cheetah, serval. A network of nature reserves and national parks has been created, including the largest ones - Comoe, Tai, Marajue, Banco, etc.

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

Administrative division: 50 departments.

Population: Cote d'Ivoire is a multinational state that unites representatives of more than 55 linguistic communities. The majority 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 thousand refugees from Liberia. Urban population 44%. Population density 52.6 people/km2.

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

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

Economy: Cote d'Ivoire is an agricultural country with 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. Livestock farming is poorly developed. Valuable timber is harvested and wood processing is developed.

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

Currency: West African CFA Franc (CFA), 100 CFA francs are 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 check the conditions. Banking hours are daily, except Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30 to 17.00. Some exchange offices 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 coast of the Gulf of Guinea, with Visa and MasterCard being preferred (although commissions will still be deducted, and quite arbitrarily). Checks and credit cards from French banks have the best exchange rates. Tips (kadu) amount to 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 to go to learn more about these aspects of the local culture. The art of Côte d'Ivoire is considered one of the best in West Africa and is very unique to each ethnic group. .

The Baule and Yakub peoples are widely known for their original wooden sculpture, usually a traditional wooden mask is a very accurate depiction of a human face, slightly exaggerated to more fully convey character traits. Another characteristic work of local artisans is the large rice cooking spoon, which is typically humanoid in shape and makes an excellent 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 the “fire” - helmet mask, which is a compilation of the appearance of an antelope, warthog and hyena - the most respected animals of the local animist cult.

Numerous holidays and ceremonies of various peoples of this country are also popular with tourists. The most famous festivals are the Fete de Masques (Festival of Masks), which takes place in villages around Man every February. Another famous festival is the Bouaké Carnival, held in March. In April, it is advisable not to miss the Fete du Dipris in the Gaumont region. This festival begins at midnight when women and children come out of their huts and perform night rituals naked to drive away evil spirits from the village. The main Muslim holiday is Ramadan, which 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 in name. The main attraction of the city is the Notre-Dame de la Pax church, built in the 60s of the 20th century. It is currently the tallest 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 occupy four peninsulas around the lagoon. Known as the “Paris of West Africa”, Abidjan has quite a lot of attractions: Abidjan has a traditional large market for handicrafts, many picturesque parks, the Le Plateau park is especially beautiful. The central, commercial part of the city and Cocody, the chic residential section, are interesting for their architecture - here you will find the imperial Ivory Hotel, considered the most famous hotel in West Africa and the main attraction of the city. It has everything you can imagine - a swimming pool, an artificial ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino and the city's main art store. Next to the hotel is the Saint-Paul Cathedral, built by Italians and consecrated by the Pope in 1985, which can compete in beauty and grace with many temples in the world. Connected to Le Plateau by two major bridges, Treichville has 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 Banco, is a tropical forest that smoothly merges with city buildings, which guarantees pleasant walks (this is the coolest place on the southern coast of the country) and is very popular with jogging lovers.

The country's rainforests are rapidly declining (one of the highest rates in the world), with the only remaining virgin forest located in the Tan and Marajuz National Parks, covering 3,600 square kilometers. km. area in the southwestern part of the country. Trees 50 meters high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots, are still preserved here. Walking through the equatorial primary forest is a unique experience: tall trees intertwined with vines, fast flowing streams and relict wildlife are combined in one place, creating a peaceful and enchanting landscape that nevertheless requires a lot of effort to travel through. The parks are in a very rainy and humid area, so the best time to visit is during the dry period from December to February. To visit the parks you need permission from the Ministry of Forests in Abidjan.

At 570 km. Comoé National Park, the largest in West Africa, is located northeast of Abidjan. Here, next to the river of the same name, there is one of the most popular “animal trails”, where you can follow in the natural environment how large herds of animals go out to the river during the dry season in search of water, where there is an excellent opportunity to observe the habits of a wide variety of representatives local fauna.

The Man area in the central part of the country is an area of ​​lush green hills and is famous far beyond 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 Tonqui and La Dent de Man ("Tooth of Man"), considered according to local legends to be the "guardian angel" of this area of ​​the country.

Other attractions of the area are the colorful villages: Biankouma, Goususso, Sipitu and Danane. Korhogo - 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 also skilled blacksmiths and potters. Most woodcarvers live and work in a small area called the Sculptors' Apartment. The Senufo are divided into 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 testing. Childhood education is divided into three seven-year periods, ending with an initiation ceremony. Each community has a "sacred forest" where training is carried out (non-initiates are never allowed to observe the tests). Some ritual ceremonies take place directly in the village and are allowed for tourists to visit. These include La Danse des Hommes Panteres ("dance of the leopard people"), performed when the boys return from a training session in the forest and many more.

The Sassandra port area has beautiful beaches. But what makes this area especially attractive is that it is also home to numerous ethnic Fanti fishing villages, with an active port and a picturesque river. It is also highly recommended to try the local "bangi" - palm wine, which is produced only here. The town of Sassandra was previously an important trading port, but when a modern terminal was built at nearby San Pedro, its role declined and the entire area is now an excellent tourist area. Located 3 km. to the east, Plage de Bivac is one of the best surf spots. Large waves are also recorded in the adjacent Poly-Plage, as well as in the area of ​​​​the beaches of Gran Belebi near the Liberian border.

Historical sketch: The first Europeans (Spaniards and Portuguese) appeared in the country in the 15th century. At first they exported gold, ivory, ostrich feathers and pepper, but soon the slave trade took over. 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 (FWA). Since 1960, Côte d'Ivoire has become an independent state. The leading political force is the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire. The foreign policy of Côte d'Ivoire is pro-European (in particular, it is focused on close cooperation with France). Until 1985, Côte d'Ivoire was considered one of the most steadily developing countries in Africa; important social and political reforms were carried out. In 1987, an economic recession occurred, caused by a fall in prices for exported raw materials (in particular, cocoa). In 1999, the first in the country's history occurred military coup, another coup attempt was made in 2002. At present, political instability remains in the country, French troops were brought in.

National holiday: August 7 (Independence Day).

National domain: .CI

Entry rules: Visa regime, minimum period for processing documents - 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 application form is issued in Russian or French) and the original invitation. Consular fee - 20-50 US dollars (depending on the type of visa, timing and purpose of the trip). The entry visa is valid for 90 days. A transit visa is required when traveling through the country. Children under 16 years old are included in the visa of their parents (mother). When crossing the border, you must present a passport with a visa and a completed application form in French, which indicates: full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, profession, address of residence in Russia and Ivory Coast, Passport number, point of departure. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is also required. There are no restrictions on movement within the country. An airport tax (about 2 USD) is charged on domestic flights.

Customs regulations: The import and export of currency is not limited. A customs declaration upon entry and exit is not required. Duty-free import of clothes and other items intended for personal use is allowed. The import of weapons and ammunition, narcotic and psychotropic substances is prohibited. The export of weapons, drugs, food in large quantities, exotic plants, animals and birds is prohibited. Antiquities and art, items made of gold and precious metals are subject to mandatory customs control. The export of animal skins, ivory and crocodile skin products is prohibited without the appropriate permit.

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