An Introduction to Côte d'Ivoire
Known as Ivory Coast until 1985, the populous and prosperous state of Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest exporter of cocoa. The area was home to several states, including Gyaaman, the Kong Empire, and Baoulã, prior to its colonization by Europeans. Two kingdoms of the Anyi people, Indãniã and Sanwi attempted to retain their separate identity through the French period (protectorate from 1843 and colony from 1893) and after Ivory Coast's independence in 1960. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Africa
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GOVERNMENT: republic
AREA: 322,463 sq km
POPULATION: 21,504,162 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: Official Language: French
Some business and general info
The Market Research Industry
Trade and Industry in Côte d'Ivoire
Ivory Coast (as it then was) holds a solitary Olympic medal, the silver won by Gabriel Tiacoh in the Men's 400m at Los Angeles 1984. Its football team The Elephants, led from the front by Didier Drogba, is also pretty hot, although unfortunate draws have limited its progress in the World Cup to date.
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Known as Ivory Coast until 1985, the populous and prosperous state of Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest exporter of cocoa. The area was home to several states, including Gyaaman, the Kong Empire, and Baoulã, prior to its colonization by Europeans. Two kingdoms of the Anyi people, Indãniã and Sanwi attempted to retain their separate identity through the French period (protectorate from 1843 and colony from 1893) and after Ivory Coast's independence in 1960.
On independence the country was led for 33 years until his death by Fãlix Houphout-Boigny, known as the 'Sage of Africa', who moved the capital from Abidjan to his hometown of Yamoussoukro; and maintained close political and economic association both with its West African neighbours and France. A coup d'ãtat in 1999 was followed by the outbreak of civil war in 2002 - coups, other fighting and disputed elections plagued the country throughout the decade and another civil war, between supporters of incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, believed by most to have won the most recent election, was resolved in Ouattara's favour in 2011.
GDP: $37.02 billion (2010 est.) - $1,800 per capita (2010 est.)
Religions Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est.)
Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF) - $1 = XOF 750
Telephone Code: +225
Research Industry
The West Africa Region (Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Benin Togo and Mali) had an industry turnover of $USD 51m in 2010, a 10.8% growth on 2009.With a relatively high income per capita and a sizeable population, the country's economy is the largest in the West African Economic and Monetary Union and constitutes 40% of the total GDP. Its success - known in the 1970s as 'The Ivorian miracle' rests on the maintenance of close ties with France, political stability for three decades, diversification of agriculture for export and the encouragement of foreign investment. It also plays a key role in transit trade for its landlocked neighbours.
In recent years, corruption, and greater competition in global coffee and cocoa markets, have made things more difficult. In addition to these the country exports timber, petrol, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil and fish - for a total of c.$10bn in 2010, when some larger recipients included the Netherlands, Nigeria, Ghana, France, Germany and Burkina Faso.
Imports totalling $6.92bn in 2010 included fuel, capital equipment and foodstuffs, much of it coming from Nigeria (22.4%) and from France, China and Thailand.
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