|
Official Name |
Republic of Cote d’ Ivorie
|
|
Location |
A sub-Saharan nation on the West Coast of Africa. Borders the Gulf of Guinea in the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the south and five nations namely Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkino Faso and Ghana. |
|
Population |
18,013,409 (2007 estimate) |
|
Ethnicity |
Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) |
| Religion |
Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40%, Christian 20-30% (2001)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) |
|
Languages |
French (official), Akan, Dioula, Baoule and 60 native dialects |
|
National Holiday |
7 August 1960 (from France) |
|
Head of State |
President Laurent Gbagbo (elected in 2000) |
|
Prime Minister |
Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny |
|
Legal System |
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations |
|
Currency |
Currency – CFA Franc (FCFA) . Euro 1 = FCFA 655.957 |
|
Major sectors |
Agriculture, Industry and Services. Agricultural products include coffee, cocoa beans, bananas. Industries include foodstuffs, oil refining and wood products |
|
Major Trading Partners |
The European Union, US, Nigeria, China |
