Côte d’Ivoire

About Côte d’Ivoire

Capital

Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (de facto)

Continent

Independence Date

7 August 1960

Official Language	French
Second Language	Dioula, Baoulé
Population	~30 million
Passport Color	Green
Passport Rank	#80
Dialing Code	225
Country TLD	.ci

Côte d’Ivoire Overview

Côte d’Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (English: Ivory Coast; French: République de Côte d’Ivoire), is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia and Guinea to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) to the south. The capital is Yamoussoukro, while the largest city and economic hub is Abidjan.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, driven by agriculture, cocoa and coffee exports, oil, and services. It is the world’s leading producer of cocoa beans and a major exporter of palm oil, gold, and cashew nuts. The country also has a rich cultural heritage, with over 60 ethnic groups and vibrant music and art traditions.

French is the official language, and the national currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). The country has a tropical climate with both rainforest and savanna regions, making it agriculturally diverse and ecologically rich.

Quick Facts About Côte d’Ivoire

Coordinates	7.5400° N, 5.5471° W
Bordering Countries	Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana; Atlantic Ocean coastline
Region / Continent	Africa (West Africa)
Total Area	~322,463 sq km
Population Density	~80 people per sq km
Highest Point	Mount Nimba – 1,752 m
Major Rivers	Bandama, Sassandra, Comoé, Cavally
Climate Type	Tropical along coast; semiarid in the far north
Famous For	Cocoa production, music, vibrant culture, economic growth
Major Landmarks	Notre-Dame de la Paix Basilica, Banco National Park, Grand-Bassam, Abidjan skyline
Official Language	French
Currency	West African CFA franc (XOF)
Government Type	Presidential Republic
Time Zone	UTC+0 (GMT)
Major Exports	Cocoa, coffee, cashews, palm oil, gold, crude oil
Visitor Entry	eVisa and visa on arrival available for most nationalities