What is the official language of the Ivory Coast?
Ivory Coast
French, the official language, is taught in schools and serves as a lingua franca in the country. An estimated 70 languages are spoken in Ivory Coast. One of the most common is Dyula, which acts as a trade language, as well as a language commonly spoken by the Muslim population.
Ivory Coast (disambiguation)
Ivory Coast may also refer to:
Ivory Coast
Prior to its colonization by Europeans, Ivory Coast was home to several states, including Gyaaman, the Kong Empire, and Baoulé. The area became a protectorate of France in 1843 and was consolidated as a French colony in 1893 amid the European scramble for Africa. It achieved independence in 1960, led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who ruled the country until 1993. Relatively stable by regional standards, Ivory Coast established close political and economic ties with its West African neighbors while at the same time maintaining close relations to the West, especially France. Ivory Coast experienced a "coup d'état" in 1999 and two religiously-grounded civil wars, first between 2002 and 2007 and again during 2010–2011. In 2000, the country adopted a new constitution.
Education in Ivory Coast
Children entered primary school at the age of seven or eight and passed through six grades, divided into preparatory, elementary, and intermediate levels. In the first six months, students mastered French, the language of instruction. Classes in reading, writing, and arithmetic were taught, gradually supplemented by history, geography, natural sciences, music, art, and physical education. Rural schools required students to work in school gardens and learn basic agricultural methods. Standard school-leaving exams led to the certificate of elementary education (certificat d'étude primaires élémentaires—CEPE) and determined entrance to secondary institutions.
Ebrié language
Ebrié, or Cama (Caman, Kyama, Tchaman, Tsama, Tyama), is spoken in Ivory Coast and Ghana. It is a Potou language of the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family of languages.
Ivory Coast
Despite the Ivorian government's request, the English translation "Ivory Coast" (often ""the" Ivory Coast") is still frequently used in English by various media outlets and publications.
Languages of the Comoros
The official languages of the Comoros are Comorian, French and Arabic. Comorian (or "Shikomoro") is a Bantu language closely related to Swahili. It is by far the most spoken language in the country, 96.9%. However, Comorian is confined almost exclusively for oral use. Before and during the colonial period, no official recognition was granted at all to Comorian. Before the French colonisation, Arabic and Swahili were the languages used by the political powers (the sultans) and by education. Arabic was the language of religion, and a language of commerce. As a result of colonisation, administration and education are now in French. The Comoros is a full member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and of the Arab League.
Kuya language
Kuya (Kouya, Kowya) is a Kru language of Ivory Coast. The language was first put in written form in the 1980s.
Guere language
Guéré (Gere), also called Wè (Wee), is a Kru language spoken by over 300,000 people in the Dix-Huit Montagnes and Moyen-Cavally regions of Ivory Coast.
Languages of Ivory Coast
The seventy or so indigenous languages fall into five main branches of the Niger–Congo family. In the southeastern quadrant are Kwa languages, some such as Baoulé and Anyin (2–3 million and 1 million speakers) part of a dialect continuum with Ashante in Ghana, others such as Attié (half a million) more divergent. Baoulé is spoken east of Lake Kossou and at the capital Yamoussoukro, and Anyi along the Ghanaian border. In the southwestern quadrant are Kru languages, such as Bete and We (Gure/Wobe), half a million apiece, and Dida (a quarter million), related to the languages of Liberia. In the northwest, along the Guinean border and across to Lake Kossou in the center of the country, are Mande languages, such as Dan (1 million speakers) and Guro (half a million, on the lake). The lake and the ear ASnna divide the Kwa east of the country from the Kru and Mande west. Across the center north are various Senufo languages, such as Senari (1 million speakers). In the northeast corner, surrounding Comoé National Park, are a quarter million speakers each of Kulango, the Gur language Lobi, and the Mande language Jula (), which is a "lingua franca" of neighboring Burkina Faso.
Abidjan
Abidjan () is the economic capital of Ivory Coast and one of the most populous French-speaking cities in Africa. According to the 2014 census, Abidjan's population was 4.7 million, which is 20 percent of the overall population of the country, and this also makes it the sixth most populous city proper in Africa, after Lagos, Cairo, Kinshasa, Dar es Salaam, and Johannesburg. A cultural crossroads of West Africa, Abidjan is characterised by a high level of industrialisation and urbanisation.
Ivory Coast
The first posts in Ivory Coast included one at Assinie and another at Grand Bassam, which became the colony's first capital. The treaties provided for French sovereignty within the posts, and for trading privileges in exchange for fees or "coutumes" paid annually to the local chiefs for the use of the land. The arrangement was not entirely satisfactory to the French, because trade was limited and misunderstandings over treaty obligations often arose. Nevertheless, the French government maintained the treaties, hoping to expand trade.
Foreign relations of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast is a member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the African Mauritian Common Organization (OCAM), the Council of Entente Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nonaggression and Defense Agreement (ANAD), INTELSAT, the Nonaligned Movement, the African Regional Satellite Organization (RASCOM), the Inter-African Coffee Organizations (IACO), the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), the Alliance of Cocoa Producers, African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (ACP), and the Association of Coffee Producing Countries (ACPC). Ivory Coast also belongs to the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank.
Education in Ivory Coast
Education in Ivory Coast continues to face many challenges. The literacy rate for adults remains low: in 2000, it was estimated that only 48.7% of the total population was literate (60.8% of males and 38.6% of females). Many children between 6 and 10 years are not enrolled in school, mainly children of poor families. The majority of students in secondary education are male. At the end of secondary education, students can sit the Baccalauréat examination. The country has universities in Abidjan (Université de Cocody), Bouaké (Université de Bouaké), and Yamoussoukro (Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny).
Kulango languages
The Kulango or Kulango–Lorhon languages are spoken principally in Ivory Coast. They were once classified as part of an expanded Gur (Voltaic) family and are now part of the Savannas proposal.
Ismaël Diomandé
Ivory Coast
National Order of the Ivory Coast
The Order was founded on 10 April 1961 to celebrate the independence of the Ivory Coast which was until 1960 a French colony. As the highest state honour, it is awarded to those who have highly distinguished themselves to the service to the state. The collar Collar is awarded solely to foreign heads of state.
National Library of Ivory Coast
National Library of Ivory Coast
Telecommunications in Ivory Coast
International call prefix: 00
Flag of Ivory Coast
In 1959, when the Ivorian Legislative Assembly was adopting the flag, Minister of State Jean Delafosse said:
In 1960, when the Legislative Assembly was drafting the constitution, Mamadou Coulibaly said:
Gabriel Rougerie wrote in 1964, "The flag unites the colours of the three great landscapes of the Ivory Coast: green forest, white lagoon and orange savanna."
Ivory Coast
By the end of the 1880s, France had established control over the coastal regions of Ivory Coast, and in 1889 Britain recognized French sovereignty in the area. That same year, France named Treich-Laplène titular governor of the territory. In 1893, Ivory Coast became a French colony, and Captain Binger was appointed governor. Agreements with Liberia in 1892 and with Britain in 1893 determined the eastern and western boundaries of the colony, but the northern boundary was not fixed until 1947 because of efforts by the French government to attach parts of Upper Volta (present-day Burkina Faso) and French Sudan (present-day Mali) to Ivory Coast for economic and administrative reasons.
Media of Ivory Coast
There are three foreign radio broadcasters that can be received in Ivory Coast on the FM band: RFI (Abidjan and Korhogo), Africa N°1 (Abidjan) and BBC (Abidjan). Voice of America (VOA) obtained a license in 2001 with a view to transmitting in FM in Abidjan.
List of heads of government of Ivory Coast
The following is a list of heads of government of Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, since the country gained independence from France in 1960.
Languages of Ivory Coast
There are also three million or so speakers of immigrant languages, mostly from neighboring countries and above all from Burkina Faso. Ethnic tensions in the north between immigrant and native Ivoirians, as well as between the Mande/Senoufo north and the Kru/Kwa south, were a large factor in the Ivorian civil wars.
Bakari Koné
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
The official language is French, with local indigenous languages also widely used, including Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, Anyin, and Cebaara Senufo. In total there are around 78 languages spoken in Ivory Coast. There are large populations of Muslims, Christians (primarily Roman Catholics) and various indigenous religions.
Geographical distribution of French speakers
French is the sole official language of the Ivory Coast. In Abidjan, largest city of the country, 57.6% of the inhabitants over 15 can read and write French, and another 11% can speak it but not write it. The French language is seen as essential by a large majority, especially for dealing with the government and in education. Two thirds of respondents report feeling Francophone. French plays an important role in all areas of public and private life across the whole country. French is increasingly seen as an Ivorian language, and a local variety distinct from standard French has emerged ().
San Pedro Department
In Ivory Coast
Geography of Ivory Coast
The Komoé River originates on the Sikasso Plateau of Burkina Faso, and briefly follows the border between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast before entering Ivory Coast. It drains the northeastern and eastern-most portions of the country before emptying into the eastern end of the Ébrié Lagoon and ultimately the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. Its waters contribute to the Comoé National Park.
Cebaara language
Cebaara (Tyebala), one of a cluster of languages called Senari, is a major Senufo language, spoken by a million people in Ivory Coast.
African hip hop
Ivorian hip hop became a mainstream part of the popular music of Côte d'Ivoire beginning in 2009 after the victory of Ivorian hip hop group Kiff No Beat at the hip-hop contest Faya Flow, and has been fused with many of the country's native styles, such as zouglou. There is a kind of gangsta rap-influenced Ivorian hip hop called "rap dogba", inspired by Angelo & les Dogbas. Ivory Coast's number 1 hip hop artist is Kiff No Beat. Ivorian Hip Hop is mostly in the French language, but includes nouchi (Ivorian Slang).
Music of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast's national anthem is "L'Abidjanaise". French is the official language taught and spoken by Ivorians but many Ivorians have their own ethnicie tribe's language.
Politics of Ivory Coast
The capital since 1983 is Yamoussoukro; however, Abidjan remains the administrative center. Most countries maintain their embassies in Abidjan, although some (including the United Kingdom) have closed their missions because of the continuing violence and attacks on Europeans. The population continues to suffer because of an ongoing civil war. International human rights organizations have noted problems with the treatment of captive non-combatants by both sides and the re-emergence of child slavery among workers in cocoa production. Since the incident on 19 September 2002 (see History of Ivory Coast), a civil war broke out, and the north part of the country has been seized by the rebels, the "New Forces" (FN). A new presidential election was expected to be held in October 2005. However, this new election could not be held on time due to delay in preparation and had been postponed to October 2006 after an agreement was reached amongst the rival parties. After a long delay, elections were finally held in 2010.
Culture of Ivory Coast
Bouffe
Aizi languages
The Aizi (Aïzi, Ahizi, Ezibo) speak three languages around Ébrié Lagoon in Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast national football team
The Ivory Coast national football team (), nicknamed "Les Éléphants" ("The Elephants"), represents Ivory Coast in international football and is controlled by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF). Until 2005, their greatest accomplishment was winning the 1992 African Cup of Nations against Ghana on penalties at the Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar, Senegal. Their second success came in the 2015 edition, again defeating Ghana on penalties at the Estadio de Bata in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.
Attié language
Attié (Akie, Akye, Atche, Atie, Atshe) is a language of uncertain classification within the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family. It is spoken by perhaps half a million people in Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast
Ethnic groups include Akan (42.1%), Voltaiques or Gur (17.6%), Northern Mandés (16.5%), Krous (11%), Southern Mandés (10%), and others (2.8%, including 30,000 Lebanese and 45,000 French; 2004). About 77% of the population is considered Ivorian.
Economy of Ivory Coast
Currency (code):
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Bouakako Sign Language
Bouakako Sign Language, known in French as "la Langue des Signes Bouakako" (LaSiBo), is an emerging village sign language in the village of Bouakako, 6 km to the west of the town of Hiré in southern Ivory Coast. LaSiBo has been used by several generations of deaf people, most of whom are related. Many of the hearing community, who speak Yocoboué Dida, know something of the language as well, and some are fluent. The vocabulary is somewhat variable between speakers, suggesting that the language is still quite young. Based on the age of the oldest deaf signer, it is probably at least 50 years old (as of 2016).
Constitution of Ivory Coast
During the 2015 Ivory Coast presidential election, President Alassane Ouattara promised a new constitution to replace the current one, considered as responsible for years of turmoil and war, with the First Ivorian Civil War and the Second Ivorian Civil War.
Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
Although English is the official language, most people speak a dialect called Virgin Islands Creole, which differs from standard English in many ways. Virgin Islands Creole is used informally and standard American English (spoken with a uniquely Virgin Islands accent) is usually preferred in school, at work and in more formal conversations. Most older children and adults can quickly switch between Virgin Islands Creole and American English. Spanish is spoken by 16.8% and French Patois is spoken by 6.6% of the city's population. While Spanish is spoken by migrants from Puerto Rico (US) and immigrants from the Dominican Republic, creoles are spoken by immigrants from St. Barthelemy, Dominica and Haiti.
Abidji language
Abidji (Abiji) is a language of uncertain classification within the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family. It is spoken in Ivory Coast.
Economy of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast 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 attempts by the government to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities. Forced labor by children bought and sold as slaves is endemic in cacao production.
Bakwé language
Bakwé is a Kru language of Ivory Coast.
History of Ivory Coast
A disarmament was supposed to take place on October 15, 2004, but was a failure. Ivory Coast is now divided between the rebel leader Guillaume Soro and president Laurent Gbagbo who has blocked the diplomatic advances made in Marcoussis and Accra—of the laws related to political reforms promised by Gbagbo in Accra, only two out of ten have been voted on so far. The rebel side has not held its promises either, which results in a state of quasi–civil war.
Outline of Ivory Coast
History of Ivory Coast
Christianity in Ivory Coast
About 17.2% of the population (18.5% of the citizenry) is Roman Catholic.
Roman Catholicism made a brief appearance in Ivory Coast in the mid-seventeenth century and reappeared two centuries later when French missionaries began to work among the Agni. The first African Roman Catholic mission in Ivory Coast was established in 1895, and the first African priest was ordained in 1934. In the 1980s, the Roman Catholic Church operated seminaries and schools throughout the country. Although Ivory Coast is officially a secular state, the president expressed pride in Abidjan's large Roman Catholic cathedral and alone funded construction of a basilica at Yamoussoukro, his birthplace, by 1990. Some villages have also adopted patron saints, whom they honor on both secular and religious holidays.
Progressive Party of Ivory Coast
The Progressive Party of Ivory Coast () was a pro-France political party in Ivory Coast.
Eric Bailly
Ivory Coast
Emmanuel Eboué
Ivory Coast
Abure language
Abure (Aboulé), also known as "Abonwa" or "Akaplass", is a Tano language (Kwa, Niger–Congo) spoken near Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
Nyabwa language
The Nyabwa (or Nyaboa) language is a Kru language spoken in Ivory Coast. It is part of the Wee dialect continuum.
Wané language
Wané (Hwané, Ngwané) is a minor Kru language of Ivory Coast. It is not close enough to its nearest relative, Bakwé, to be readily intelligible, though some young Wané speak that language.
Constitution of Ivory Coast
On October 31, 1960, the National Assembly of Ivory Coast adopted the Constitution establishing an independent republic. The 1960 Constitution called for a strong, centralized presidential system with an independent judiciary and a national legislature.
Outline of Ivory Coast
Education in Ivory Coast
Telecommunications in Ivory Coast
Radio is Ivory Coast's most popular communications medium. BBC World Service broadcasts on FM in Abidjan (94.3), Yamoussoukro (97.7), Bouaké (93.9), San Pedro (103.1) and Man (89.2). Radio France International broadcasts on FM in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, San Pedro and Krogho. UN peacekeepers launched ONUCI FM in 2005.
Yaya Touré
Ivory Coast
First Ivorian Civil War
Then, the large number of foreigners in Ivory Coast, and Ivorians of somewhat recent foreign descent, created an important issue of voting rights. Twenty-six percent of the population was of foreign origin, particularly from Burkina Faso, a poorer country to the north. Many of these had been Ivorian citizens for two generations or more, and some of them, of Mandinka heritage, can be considered native to the northern part of what is now known as Ivory Coast. These ethnic tensions had been suppressed under the strong leadership of Houphouët-Boigny, but surfaced after his death. The term "Ivoirity", originally coined by Henri Konan Bédié to denote the common "cultural" identity of all those living in Ivory Coast came to be used by nationalist and xenophobic politics and press to represent solely the population of the southeastern portion of the country, particularly Abidjan.
Adjukru language
Adjukru (Adioukrou, Adyoukrou, Adyukru, Ajukru) is a language of uncertain classification within the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family. It is spoken in Ivory Coast by the Adjoukrou people.
Baoulé language
The Baoulé are an Akan people living in the central region of Ivory Coast. Baoulé-speaking areas include Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, Bouaflé, Béoumi, Sakassou, Toumodi, Dimbokro, M'Bahiakro, and Tiassalé.
Kwadia language
Kwadia (Kodia) is a minor Kru language of Ivory Coast.
National Assembly (Ivory Coast)
The National Assembly is lower house of the Parliament of Ivory Coast since November 2016. From 1960 to 2016, The National Assembly was Ivory Coast's unicameral legislative body. Evolved from semi-representative bodies of the French Colonial period, the first National Assembly was constituted on 27 November 1960 with 70 elected members ("députés") in accordance with the Constitution of 31 October 1960, which created the First Republic.
List of Ivorian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Ivory Coast submitted a film for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the first time in 1976. The award is handed out annually by the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains primarily non-English dialogue. It was not created until the 1956 Academy Awards, in which a competitive Academy Award of Merit, known as the Best Foreign Language Film Award, was created for non-English speaking films, and has been given annually since.
Daoukro
Since independence, the official language throughout Ivory Coast has been French. The lingua franca, spoken and understood by the majority of the population, is Dioula, but the vernacular of the region is Baoulé. The French actually spoken in the region, as in Abidjan, is commonly called "Ivorian Popular French" or "French Moussa" that is distinct from standard French pronunciation, and that makes it almost unintelligible to non-Ivorians.
Wan language
Wan, or Nwa, is a Mande language of Ivory Coast. Dialects are Miamu and Kemu.
Foreign relations of Ivory Coast
The Ivorian government has historically played an important and constructive role in Africa. President Houphouët-Boigny was active in the mediation of regional disputes, most notably in Liberia and Angola. Ivory Coast is a member of the newly created OAU conflict resolution mechanism. In 1996-97 Ivory Coast sent a medical unit to participate in regional peacekeeping in Liberia, its first peacekeeping effort.
Cheick Doukouré
Ivory Coast
Outline of Ivory Coast
Politics of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast is a religiously diverse country, in which adherents of Islam (mostly Sunni) represented 42.9% of the total population in 2014, while followers of Christianity (mostly Catholic and Evangelical) represented 33.9% of the population. In addition 19.1% of Ivorians claimed to be irreligious, and 3.6% reported following traditional African religions. In 2009, according to U.S. Department of State estimates, Christians and Muslims each made up 35 to 40% of the population, while an estimated 25% of the population practised traditional (animist) religions.
Ivorian cuisine
Ivorian cuisine (pronounced "I" "vor" "i" "an") is the traditional cuisine of Côte d'Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, and is based on tubers, grains, pig, chicken, seafood, fish, fresh fruits, vegetables and spices. It is very similar to that of neighboring countries in west Africa. Common staple foods include grains and tubers. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the largest cocoa producers in the world and also produces palm oil and coffee.
Coat of arms of Ivory Coast
The coat of arms of Ivory Coast in its current form was adopted in 1964. The focal point of the emblem is the head of an elephant. The elephant is symbolically important to the nation, since it is the largest animal found in Ivory Coast as well as being the source of ivory for which the nation is named. The rising sun is a traditional symbol of a new beginning. Below the elephant head is a banner containing the name of the nation.
Ivory Coast
Since 1983, Ivory Coast's capital has been Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan was the administrative center. Most countries maintain their embassies in Abidjan. The Ivoirian population has suffered because of the ongoing civil war. International human-rights organizations have noted problems with the treatment of captive non-combatants by both sides and the re-emergence of child slavery in cocoa production.
Ivory Coast
At independence (1960), the country was easily French West Africa's most prosperous, contributing over 40% of the region's total exports. When Houphouët-Boigny became the first president, his government gave farmers good prices for their products to further stimulate production, which was further boosted by a significant immigration of workers from surrounding countries. Coffee production increased significantly, catapulting Ivory Coast into third place in world output, behind Brazil and Colombia. By 1979, the country was the world's leading producer of cocoa. It also became Africa's leading exporter of pineapples and palm oil. French technicians contributed to the "Ivoirian miracle". In other African nations, the people drove out the Europeans following independence, but in Ivory Coast, they poured in. The French community grew from only 30,000 prior to independence to 60,000 in 1980, most of them teachers, managers, and advisors. For 20 years, the economy maintained an annual growth rate of nearly 10%—the highest of Africa's non-oil-exporting countries.
Abé language
Abé (also spelled Abbé, Abbey, Abi) is a language of uncertain classification within the Kwa branch of the Niger–Congo family. It is spoken in Ivory Coast.
Lomakka language
Loma, or "Lomakka" (also Lomasse, or—ambiguously—Malinke), is a Niger–Congo language of Ivory Coast.
Ivorian Americans
Ivorian immigration into the U.S. has been increasing since the 1990s. Ivorians speak several African Languages, being the most spoken the Dioula dialect of Bambara, Dioula, Gurma, and Senufo, other languages native languages include: the Gur languages, the Senufo languages, the Kru languages (including the Bété languages, and the Kwa languages from which Baoulé and Anyin are used by a considerable part of Ivorians, French is the national language of Cote D'Ivoire.
Economy of Ivory Coast
By developing-country standards, Ivory Coast has outstanding infrastructure. There is a network of more than of paved roads; modern telecommunications services, including a public data communications network; cellular phones and Internet access; two active ports, one of which, Abidjan, is the most modern in West Africa; rail links-in the process of being upgraded-both within the country and to Burkina Faso; regular air service within the region and to and from Europe; and real estate developments for commercial, industrial, retail, and residential use. Ivory Coast's location and connections to neighboring countries makes it a preferred platform from which Europeans conduct West African business operations. The city of Abidjan is one of the most modern and liveable cities in the region for wealthy French expatriates. Its school system is highly regarded and includes an excellent international school based on a U.S. curriculum and several excellent French-based schools.
Parliament of Ivory Coast
The Parliament of Ivory Coast is the legislature of Ivory Coast. From 1960 to 2016, it was a unicameral body. It became a bicameral body after a new constitution was approved by referendum on October 30, 2016. The parliament will consists of two chambers:
Demographics of Equatorial Guinea
Spanish, French and Portuguese are the official languages and spoken as second languages. Spanish is the language of education, and for this reason a majority of the population (about 88%) can speak it, though only about 10–15% have a high competence in the language. Annobonese speak a Portuguese Creole, named Annobonese, as their first language. Asian migrants and descendants of Europeans settlers (mostly Spaniards, Britons and Portuguese) usually speak their ancestral languages along with Spanish. Non-Equatorial Africans usually speak their native languages and their nation's official languages – English and Igbo for Nigerians; English for Cameroonians and Liberians; French for Cameroonians and Gabonese; and Portuguese for Angolans and Mozambicans. The latter was made an official language since July 13, 2007. 82% of first foreign language learners choose the French language and 18% the English language. The Roman Catholic Church has greatly influenced both religion and education.
Igor Lolo
Ivory Coast
Demographics of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast has more than 60 ethnic groups, usually classified into five principal divisions: Akan (east and center, including Lagoon peoples of the southeast), Krou (southwest), Southern Mandé (west), Northern Mandé (northwest), Sénoufo/Lobi (north center and northeast). The Baoulés, in the Akan division, probably comprise the largest single subgroup with 15%-20% of the population. They are based in the central region around Bouaké and Yamoussoukro. The Bétés in the Krou division, the Sénoufos in the north, and the Malinkés in the northwest and the cities are the next largest groups, with 10%-15% of the national population. Most of the principal divisions have a significant presence in neighboring countries.
Geography of Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is a sub-Saharan nation in southern West Africa located at 8 00°N, 5 00°W. The country is approximately square in shape. Its southern border is a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea on the north Atlantic Ocean. On the other three sides it borders five other African nations for a total of : Liberia to the southwest for , Guinea to the northwest for , Mali to the north-northwest for , Burkina Faso to the north-northeast for , and Ghana to the east for .
History of Ivory Coast
By the end of the 1880s, France had established what passed for effective control over the coastal regions of Ivory Coast, and in 1889 Britain recognized French sovereignty in the area. That same year, France named Treich-Laplène titular governor of the territory. In 1893 Ivory Coast was made a French colony, and then Captain Binger was appointed governor. Agreements with Liberia in 1892 and with Britain in 1893 determined the eastern and western boundaries of the colony, but the northern boundary was not fixed until 1947 because of efforts by the French government to attach parts of Upper Volta (present-day Burkina Faso) and French Sudan (present-day Mali) to Ivory Coast for economic and administrative reasons.
Canada–Ivory Coast relations
Canada–Ivory Coast relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Canada and Ivory Coast ("Côte d’Ivoire"). Both nations are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Mwan language
Mwan (Mwa, Mouan, Muan, Muana, Mona) is a Mande language of Ivory Coast.
Music of Ivory Coast
The most popular styles in Ivory Coast are imported reggae from Jamaica, hip hop from the United States , Zouk from the Caribbean and Couper Decaler from Ivory Coast; the country has produced notable musicians of both genres, especially Alpha Blondy whose brand of Afro-reggae became a national hit following his appearance on the TV show "First chance" in 1983. Tiken Jah Fakoly is another popular Ivorian reggae musician, who has been living in exile due to his politically outspoken lyrics. Perhaps uniquely in Africa reggae is the most popular music genre and Abidjan is seen as one of the reggae capitals of the world.
Yaure language
Yaure (Yaouré, Yohowré, Youré) is a Mande language of Ivory Coast. Dialects are Klan, Yaan, Taan, Yoo, Bhoo.
Ivory Coast
The most popular sport in Ivory Coast is association football. The national football team has played in the World Cup three times, in Germany 2006, in South Africa 2010, and Brazil in 2014. The woman's football team played in the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada. Ivory Coast notable footballers are Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré and Kolo Touré, Eric Bailly, Gervinho, and Wilfried Zaha. Rugby union is also popular, and the national rugby union team qualified to play at the Rugby World Cup in South Africa in 1995. Ivory Coast also won two Africa Cups one 1992 and the other 2015.
Akan language
Akan is a Central Tano language that is the principal native language of the Akan people of Ghana, spoken over much of the southern half of Ghana, by about 80% of the population, and among 41% of the population of Ivory Coast.
Mbato language
Mbato, also known as Potu or Gwa, is a Kwa language of Ivory Coast and in Ghana. It is one of two Potou languages.
Ivory Coast
Popular music genres from Ivory Coast include zoblazo, zouglou, and Coupé-Décalé. A few Ivorian artists who have known international success are Magic Système, Alpha Blondy, Meiway, Dobet Gnahoré, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and Christina Goh, of Ivorian descent.
Avikam language
Avikam is one of the Lagoon languages of Ivory Coast, spoken in Grand Lahou Département, Avikam Canton, South Department. It is a Kwa language, closely related to Alladian, but other than that its position is unclear.
Economy of Ivory Coast
The economy of Ivory Coast is stable and currently growing, in the aftermath of political instability in recent decades. The Ivory Coast is largely market-based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Almost 70% of the Ivorian people are engaged in some form of agricultural activity. GDP per capita grew 82% in the 1960s, reaching a peak growth of 360% in the 1970s. But this proved unsustainable and it shrank by 28% in the 1980s and a further 22% in the 1990s. This coupled with high population growth resulted in a steady fall in living standards. Gross national product per capita, now rising again, was about US$727 in 1996. (It was substantially higher two decades ago.) After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in non-traditional 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. The 50% devaluation of franc zone currencies on 12 January 1994 caused a one-time jump in the inflation rate to 26% in 1994, but the rate fell sharply in 1996-1999. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually in 1996-99. A majority of the population remains dependent on smallholder cash crop production. Principal exports are cocoa, coffee, and tropical woods.
Baoulé language
Baoulé, also called Baule or Bawule, is a Central Tano language spoken in Ivory Coast.
Media of Ivory Coast
The government also controls radio and television broadcasting. Radio broadcasts are in French, English, and indigenous languages; television is in French only. Some international broadcasts are available, but transmission of some programming has been disrupted by the government in the past. In 1998, there were 2 AM and 9 FM radio stations, with 14 television stations reported in 1999. In 2003, there were an estimated 185 radios and 61 television sets for every 1,000 people. The same year, there were 9.3 personal computers for every 1,000 people and 14 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet. There were three secure Internet servers in the country in 2004.
Geography of Ivory Coast
The terrain is mostly flat to undulating plain, with mountains in the northwest. The lowest elevation in Ivory Coast is at sea level on the coasts. The highest elevation is Mount Nimba, at in the far west of the country along the border with Guinea and Liberia.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast's capital, Yamoussoukro, is home to the largest church building in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro.
French language
French is mostly a second language in Africa, but it has become a first language in some urban areas, such as the region of Abidjan, Ivory Coast and in Libreville, Gabon. There is not a single African French, but multiple forms that diverged through contact with various indigenous African languages.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast or Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country located on the south coast of West Africa. Ivory Coast's political capital is Yamoussoukro, while its economic capital and largest city is the port city of Abidjan. It borders Guinea and Liberia to the west, Burkina Faso and Mali to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) to the south.
Nyarafolo language
Nyarafolo (Niafolo), one of a cluster of languages called Senari, is a Senufo language of Ivory Coast.