Largest Cities in Ivory Coast

Facts about Ivory Coast

Official languages: French
Capital: Yamoussoukro
Area: 322,460 km²
Population: 21.1 million residents
Population density: 65.31 residents per km²
Currency: XOF
Internet TLD: .ci
ISO codes: CI, CIV, 384
The telephone code from Ivory Coast is +225

Flag of Ivory Coast

The flag of Ivory Coast was adopted in 1959 and is composed of three vertical stripes – orange, white and green. Ivory Coast is a former French colony that achieved independence in 1960. This is also the reason why its flag at first glance resembles the French tricolor, only in a different color combination. The orange stripe is meant to represent the deserts and savannas of the northern part of the country, but also progress; the white stripe represents peace, national unity and the darkening of the local Sassandra, Bandama and Kamo rivers, and the green stripe represents hope for a better future and the lush tropical vegetation of the rain forests in the south of the country.

Côte d’Ivoire is a state in West Africa. It borders on Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana and to the south on the Atlantic. See Ivory Coast Location on World Map.

In German-speaking countries, the term “Ivory Coast” is common in language usage and in the media. However, the official name Côte d’Ivoire is used in official traffic, for example by the German federal government.

In the country itself, the use of a name other than the official name is punishable by law. Literal translations of the name into other languages ​​are also subject to this prohibition.

In contrast to other states, which got rid of their colonial heritage by changing their names, among other things, and found their identity again using names from their own history, Côte d’Ivoire retained its close ties to France even after gaining independence in 1960.

The country, which gained independence from France on August 7, 1960, was politically stable for decades and was ruled by the unity party PDCI (Parti Démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire) of then President Houphouët-Boigny. Export revenues from cocoa and coffee guaranteed relative prosperity. Internal tensions led to the end of PDCI rule in 1990. With increasing economic difficulties caused by the drop in cocoa prices, the conflicts escalated and led to a state of civil war that tore the country in two in 2002. This development also has its background in ethnic tensions, since Côte d’Ivoire has many people who have immigrated from the neighboring countries. Above all, however, it is a conflict over access to resources.

Since the peace treaty of 2007 work has been carried out on the reconciliation and reunification of the Ivory Coast. Since then it has been one of the fastest growing economies in Africa again.

Biggest Cities of Ivory Coast by Population

Ivory Coast is a country located in West Africa, with a population of over 25 million people. Its capital city is Yamoussoukro which is the largest city in Ivory Coast and home to more than 1.2 million people. The city is known for its French colonial architecture and its many parks and gardens, making it a popular destination for tourists.

Other major cities in Ivory Coast include Abidjan located near the Atlantic Ocean and known as ‘the Economic Capital’; Bouake located near the Bandama River and known for its cobblestone streets; or Daloa located near the Cavally River and known as ‘the Coffee Capital’.

Ivory Coast also contains some smaller cities such as San-Pedro located on the south-west side of Ivory Coast and home to many fishing villages; Man located near Mount Nimba and home to many traditional villages; or Korhogo located on the north-east side of Ivory Coast and known for its cotton textiles.

Throughout Ivory Coast there are plenty of attractions to explore including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, markets, museums, waterfalls and beaches. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as trekking or exploring caves or take part in water sports on Lake Kossou.

Ivory Coast: Yamoussoukro

According to Abbreviation Finder, Yamoussoukro is the capital but not the largest city in the country. It’s called Abidjan and was once the capital. In 1983 Yamoussoukro became the new capital, the hometown of the then President Felix Houphouët-Boigny. It is spoken: Jamussukro. While Abidjan is on the coast, Yamoussoukro is further north, almost in the middle of the country. The city is surrounded by the savannah.

Yamoussou was a ruler of the Baule, one of the largest tribes in Ivory Coast. 1901, during the colonial periodtime, it ruled in the village of N’Gokro, which was at this point. Yamoussou ensured that a quarrel between the Baule and the French was peacefully ended. The place was then renamed in her honor. “Kro” means “city” in the Baule language. So Yamoussoukro means city of Yamoussou.

Countries neighboring Ivory Coast

• Burkina Faso
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Liberia
• Mali