Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire offers an overwhelming list of things to do. The capital, Yamoussoukro, offers the huge and ornate Basilica to check out, while the coastal bustling city of Abidjan offers nightclubs, casinos, shopping outlets, craft shops, restaurants, bars and more.  

After gaining independence from France in 1960, Cote d’Ivoire under the leadership of founding president Felix Houphouet-Boigny courted Africans from neighboring countries to come help build the nation and its cocoa and coffee industry. But then world prices for these commodities fell in the 1980s and the nation’s economy began to falter. After Houphouet-Boigny’s death deep-seated political tensions erupted and the nation suffered its first coup. Elections in 2000 resulted in a popular uprising against the country’s military leader when he attempted to manipulate the outcome. Since then, the government of President Laurent Gbagbo has faced a crisis of legitimacy. The country has been divided between a government-run south and rebel-held north since 2002 and new elections have been postponed twice. The latest peace accord provides the most hope for Ivorians that the nation might achieve peace and reconciliation after several other failed agreements.

Côte d’Ivoire is home to about 17 million people and the main language is French. Christianity and Islam are most commonly followed, although many people practice indigenous beliefs. There is a heavy emphasis on song and dance, or mapouka, as it is known. Many airlines serve Cote d’Ivoire from within Africa and beyond. Inexpensive taxis are abundant.

In Abidjan, luxury can be found at the Hotel Ivoire, which offers spacious rooms, shopping boutiques, a restaurant and bar, gaming facility and a lounge. There are also a number of beach resorts in Grand Bassam.