Summary: Cote d’Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast in English, resting against the Gulf of Guinea in Western Africa between Ghana and Liberia, is mostly flat to rolling plains with mountains in the northwest. Independent from France in 1960, the country is under a stable cease-fire with rebel forces that works to address land reform and its nationality, and has an economy based primarily on agriculture and the export of coffee, cocoa and palm oil, with potential growth through offshore oil and gas resources.
Capital: Yamoussoukro
Time Zone: UTC
Population: 17,327,724
Languages: French, Dioula, 60 Other Native Dialects
Power: 220V, 50 Hz
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc - Currently 1 XOF = 0.0018 USD $
Climate: Cote d'Ivoire has a tropical climate along the coast, and is semiarid in the far north, and experiences three main seasons: a warm and dry season from November to March, a hot and dry season from March to May, and hot and wet season from June to October. |
| Yamoussoukro: Yamoussoukro is a capital built into the surrounding jungle, and is administrative in function. While you’re here, you should go and admire the stained glass windows of the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Paix, a copy of Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome. Korhogo to the north makes a good base to explore the nearby Kossou Lake and jungle. |
| Abidjan: The country’s capital until 1983, Abidjan is a cosmopolitan city spread around a lagoon with beaches along the coast and along past the city of Assini to the west. Some of the main districts are Le Plateau, which has some of the finest restaurants, Treichville and the transportation hub of Adjame, both of which have markets and are safest during the day. Saint Paul’s Cathedral offers a view of the city from its tower and the Parc du Banco is a rainforest reserve good for an afternoon stroll. |
| Man: Man sits in the middle west of the Ivory Coast, and is one of the best places to shop for native masks made by local tribesfolk. Relax and enjoy the scenery, as the town sits on a grouping of hills, and take a hike up Mount Tonkoui, the second highest peak in the country and just shy of 4000 feet, or to the nearby waterfalls, La Cascade, which hides in a bamboo forest to the west of Man, both good for an afternoon trip. |
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Local Customs: Casual dress is firmly entrenched in the country, to the point where suits and ties are only rarely found, and then at formal engagements. Punctuality and smoking are both part of the society throughout the country, and locals in rural areas typically eat with their right hand.
Cash and Carry: Credit cards and traveler’s checks have wide but inconsistent acceptance, and foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and most hotels, although banks are closed on the weekend and over the lunch break.
When To Visit: The best time to visit for the weather is from November to February, when it is cooler and drier, and you can catch the Fêtes des Masques, an exuberant festival with masks and parades every February in and around Man, otherwise, the Fête du Dipri in Gomon is one of the most unique festivals involving trances and dancing.
Food: Meals in the Cote d’Ivoire mix French and African styles well, with bananas, stews, chicken and fish common. Among the common dishes is attieke, a pile of couscous-like grated manioc or cassava, typically served with a stew like kedjenou, spiced chicken and vegetables, aloco, bananas and onions fried with chili pepper, or served with grilled fish and a glass of bangiu, a nice palm wine.
Tipping: Check your bill, as a service charge may have already been included, otherwise tip 10% to 15% for excellent service, and 10% on top of your taxi fare. |
