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Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast
Capital:
Yamoussoukro (administrative and political capital since 1983).
Population: 110,000 (2005). Abidjan (economic capital). Population: 3
million (2005).
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and
Liberia
Description:
Côte d’Ivoire shares borders with Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso
and Ghana. There are 600km (370 miles) of coast on the Gulf of Guinea
(Atlantic Ocean). The southern and western parts of the country are
forested, with undulating countryside rising to meet the savannah
plains of the north and the mountainous western border. Three rivers,
the Sassandra, the Bandama and the Comoé, run directly north–south
and, on their approach to the coast, flow into a series of lagoons.
Birdlife is plentiful throughout the country, but particularly so near
the coast.
Area:
322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles).
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Population:
17.1 million (2005).
Languages:
The official language is French. The main African languages are
Yacouba, Senoufo, Baoulé, Betie, Attie, Agni and Dioula (the market
language).
Climate:
Dry from December to April, long rains from May to July, a short dry
season from August to September, short rains in October and November.
In the north the climate is more extreme – rains (May to October) and
dry (November to April).
Economy - overview:
The timber industry in Côte d’Ivoire has declined from previous levels
due to excessive exploitation, although the government has now limited
production in order to protect the remaining forests. A light
industrial sector has grown up processing primary agricultural
products and produces textiles, chemicals and sugar – again, these are
aimed towards export markets.
Newly discovered offshore oil and gas deposits will boost the
country’s industrial sector as well as meeting future energy needs.
Côte d’Ivoire already has an established oil refining operation which,
along with cigarette manufacture, forms the main components of the
country’s industrial economy. It will also reduce Côte d’Ivoire’s
reliance on imported fuel to supplement the hydroelectric
installations that are its main source of power.
A service sector is gradually developing, centred on tourism,
financial services (exploiting the dominant role of the Abidjan stock
exchange in the region) and telecommunications.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the more prosperous economies in West Africa,
although its recent progress has been undermined by severe political
instability and the difficulty in meeting the standards of
international donors; the economy grew by just 1% in 2004.
The country is a member of all the main regional economic
organisations, including the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the various bodies associated with the CFA Franc zone.
Economy:
The timber industry in Côte d’Ivoire has declined from previous levels
due to excessive exploitation, although the government has now limited
production in order to protect the remaining forests. A light
industrial sector has grown up processing primary agricultural
products and produces textiles, chemicals and sugar – again, these are
aimed towards export markets.
Newly discovered offshore oil and gas deposits will boost the
country’s industrial sector as well as meeting future energy needs.
Côte d’Ivoire already has an established oil refining operation which,
along with cigarette manufacture, forms the main components of the
country’s industrial economy. It will also reduce Côte d’Ivoire’s
reliance on imported fuel to supplement the hydroelectric
installations that are its main source of power.
A service sector is gradually developing, centred on tourism,
financial services (exploiting the dominant role of the Abidjan stock
exchange in the region) and telecommunications.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the more prosperous economies in West Africa,
although its recent progress has been undermined by severe political
instability and the difficulty in meeting the standards of
international donors; the economy grew by just 1% in 2004.
The country is a member of all the main regional economic
organisations, including the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) and the various bodies associated with the CFA Franc zone.
Industries:
foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus
assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity
Exports:
Cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, cotton, palm oil, pineapples and
bananas.
• Main trade partners: USA, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Nigeria
and Italy.
Imports:
Consumer goods, food and capital goods.
Exchange rates:
CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes.
Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500.
Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Côte
d’Ivoire is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by
the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African
States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique
Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is
tied to the Euro.
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/67/money/Africa/Cote-d-Ivoire.html
GDP :
US$15.9 billion (2005).
Useful links:
Ministries & Organization
Trade Associations & Chamber of Commerce
Economy and Industry
Trade Fairs
Others
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