Ivory Coast - Country Details

Basic Information

Capital

Yamoussoukro

Region

Africa / Western Africa

Population

31,500,000

Area

322,463 km²

Currencies

West African CFA franc (Fr)

Languages

French

About country

Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a West African nation with a rich history of pre-colonial states like the Gyaaman and Kong Empire. Colonized by France in the late 19th century, it gained independence in 1960 and experienced a period of relative stability under Félix Houphouët-Boigny. The country's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly cocoa and coffee, making it the world's largest cocoa exporter. Yamoussoukro serves as the official capital, while Abidjan remains the economic hub and largest city. With a population of 31.5 million in 2024, Ivory Coast is a religiously diverse nation with significant Muslim, Christian, and traditional faith communities.