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  Cote d'Ivoire  
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  Geography
  People
  Government
  Economy
  Communications
  Transportation
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  Transnational Issues

In general, information available as of 1 January 2002
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2002.


This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


Map of Cote d'Ivoire

Legend: Definition Definition Field Listing Field Listing
   Introduction    Cote d'Ivoire
Background:
Definition Field Listing
Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states. Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however, sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. Presidential and legislative elections held in October and December 2000 provoked violence due to the exclusion of opposition leader Alassane OUATTARA. In October 2000, Laurent GBAGBO replaced junta leader Robert GUEI as president, ending 10 months of military rule. In October 2001, President GBAGBO initiated a two-month-long National Reconciliation Forum, but its ability to conciliate Ivorians with one another remains unclear.
   Geography    Cote d'Ivoire
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Africa
Area:
Definition Field Listing
total: 322,460 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km
land: 318,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
515 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
continental shelf: 200 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 9.28%
permanent crops: 13.84%
other: 76.88% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
730 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated
   People    Cote d'Ivoire
Population:
Definition Field Listing
16,804,784
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2002 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 46% (male 3,874,651; female 3,847,080)
15-64 years: 51.8% (male 4,468,242; female 4,238,998)
65 years and over: 2.2% (male 185,306; female 190,507) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.45% (2002 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing
39.99 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing
16.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: after Liberia's civil war started in 1990, more than 350,000 refugees fled to Cote d'Ivoire; by the end of 1999 most Liberian refugees were assumed to have returned (2002 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing
92.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing
total population: 44.72 years
female: 46.03 years (2002 est.)
male: 43.45 years
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing
5.61 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing
10.76% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing
1 million (2000)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing
72,000 (1999 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Ivorian(s)
adjective: Ivorian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
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 20,000 French) (1998)
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.5%
male: 57%
female: 40%
   Government    Cote d'Ivoire
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
58 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adiake, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Alepe, Bocanda, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Dabou, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Jacqueville, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tiebissou, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toulepleu, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
7 August (1960) (from France)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October 2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of the interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIE
head of government: Prime Minister Seydou DIARRA (since 25 January 2003) note - appointed as transitional Prime Minister by President GBAGBO as part of a French brokered peace plan
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 October 2000 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members are elected in single- and multi-district elections by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: elections last held 10 December 2000 with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)
note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in the next full election in 2005
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4, other 2, independents 22, vacant 2
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases, Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal limit to the number of members
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Aime Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Alassane OUATTARA]; Union for Democracy and Peace or UDPCI [Gen. Robert GUEI]; over 20 smaller parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Pascal Dago KOKORA
chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER
embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01
telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79
FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
   Economy    Cote d'Ivoire
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to weather conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually during 1996-99. Growth was negative in 2000 and 2001 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and post-coup instability. Political instability continues to impede growth.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $25.5 billion (2001)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
-1% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing
purchasing power parity - $1,550 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 28%
industry: 29%
services: 43% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 29% (1995) (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
37 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing
2.5% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing
68% agricultural (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing
13% in urban areas (1998 est.) (1998)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $1.72 billion
expenditures: $2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $420 million (2001 est.)
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
15% (1998 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing
4.08 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source:
Definition Field Listing
fossil fuel: 75%
hydro: 25%
other: 0% (1999)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing
2.57 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
1.2 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber
Exports:
Definition Field Listing
$3.6 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
cocoa 33%, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish (1999)
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 13%, US 8%, Netherlands 7%, Germany 7%, Italy 6% (1999)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing
$2.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment, raw materials
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
France 26%, Nigeria 10%, China 7%, Italy 5%, Germany 4% (1999)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing
$13.3 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.)
Currency:
Definition Field Listing
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Currency code:
Definition Field Listing
XOF
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 742.79 (January 2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Cote d'Ivoire
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing
263,700 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing
450,000 (2000)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: well developed by African standards but operating well below capacity
domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables (June 1999)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:
Definition Field Listing
2.26 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
14 (1999)
Televisions:
Definition Field Listing
1.09 million (2000)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.ci
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
Definition Field Listing
5 (2001)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing
70,000 (2002)
   Transportation    Cote d'Ivoire
Railways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 660 km
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double-track
note: an additional 600 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso, ending at Kaya, north of Ouagadougou (2000 est.)
Highways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 50,400 km
paved: 4,889 km
unpaved: 45,511 km (1996)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
36 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 8 (2002)
   Military    Cote d'Ivoire
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard)
Military manpower - military age:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability:
Definition Field Listing
males age 15-49: 3,963,166 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 15-49: 2,071,011 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males: 188,411 (2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing
$127.7 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing
1.3% (FY01)
   Transnational Issues    Cote d'Ivoire
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center

This page was last updated on 19 March 2003


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