The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is one of the countries located in West Africa. In the past it was a French colony, but today it is a completely independent state both territorially and politically. The country of Cote d'Ivoire is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. By land, the state borders Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. The territory is 322,460 km. sq.
general information
This is one of the states in which there are at least five dozen ethnic groups. The capital of the country is the city of Yamoussoukro, which is home to almost 250 thousand people. Unlike most European countries, the capital is not always the main city.
In this state, for example, the main city is Abidjan, whose population is approximately 3 million people. The official language in Cote d'Ivoire is French, a relic of colonial times. In addition to the official one, there are a number of local languages, the most popular being Baule, Bete and Gyula. Compared to many others, this one is quite developed, and the standard of living of the population is quite good.
State symbols of Cote d'Ivoire
The state flag consists of three vertical stripes of equal size: orange, white and green. The first color symbolizes the savannah, the second - peace and unity, the third - forests and hope. There are other interpretations.
The main element of the state's coat of arms is the elephant, which is not only one of the most common animals in the state, but is even present in the name of the country. The national anthem was officially adopted as soon as the country became independent in 1960.
Geography
The territory of the state is predominantly flat, in the south there are tropical rainforests, and in the north there are tall grasses, as in most of Africa, it is very hot, in the south it is equatorial, in the north it is subequatorial. There are three large rivers and several small ones on the territory of the country. Komoe, Sassandra and Bandama are of practically no interest as transport routes, since they consist of many estuaries and rapids, and also periodically dry up.
Among natural resources there are many precious and expensive raw materials. For example, diamonds, gold, oil, gas, nickel, copper, manganese, cobalt, bauxite, etc. In Côte d’Ivoire, tourists can enjoy visiting various national parks. It is in this country that the most developed and beautiful sights of West Africa are located, and one of the parks is even included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
History of Cote d'Ivoire
The map of the territory of this state, like many others, took shape over many thousands of years. A significant part of the peoples living in the modern country came from the northeastern and eastern parts of the continent. Over time, countries with a highly developed system of governance were founded on this territory.
During the Middle Ages, European merchants paved the way to Côte d'Ivoire. The Spaniards and Portuguese were the first to arrive in the country, and later the British and Dutch began to arrive. Hot goods for European merchants were ivory, gold, pepper, and ostrich feathers. Later, the country began to actively participate in the slave trade.
At the end of the 19th century, after long battles between local tribes and French troops, the territory of the country was occupied, and France turned it into its colony. Since 1958, the state has been declared a republic, part of the French Community. In 1960, on August 7, the country finally gained independence.
In the first 25 years after Côte d'Ivoire gained independence, the pace of development of the state continued to gain momentum. However, in 1987, due to a decrease in prices for goods supplied by the country on the world market, a serious decline began in the state's economy.
- Although officially celebrated in France on August 7th, due to field work, most of the population celebrates it on December 7th.
- Residents of the state are very musical. They have a lot of different dances for every significant event. For example, harvest dance, fisherman dance, etc.
- Previously, the country was famous for its forests. Now, most valuable tree species have been destroyed due to fires, land clearing and other reasons.
Conclusion
Like most African countries, today Côte d'Ivoire cannot boast of good development indicators or an excellent standard of living. However, the state still occupies certain niches in the world market. For example, Côte d'Ivoire is the largest supplier of cocoa in the world and a third coffee supplier. Although there are not many enterprises with highly qualified personnel here, the agricultural market still helps the country’s economy stay afloat.
Yamoussoukro 23:29 25°C
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Hotels
The metropolis of Abidjan is famous for its large selection of hotels of international chains with good locations and European service. Along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea there are many local hotels with unpretentious service and modest amenities. If you want to live on the coast, we recommend renting a cottage and bungalow with your own kitchen so that you can cook for yourself.
Local hotels do not have a generally accepted classification of comfort and service; as a rule, they directly depend on the cost of living.
Attractions
Côte d'Ivoire is a unique country for those interested in African culture, folklore and the way of life of its people. In addition, it has the largest and most well-organized national parks in all of West Africa.
Côte d'Ivoire's rainforests are being rapidly deforested; the only remaining virgin forest can be seen in Camoe National Park, the country's largest and most famous park. Here you will see tropical trees 50 meters high, endlessly long vines and rare species of animals: chimpanzees, wild dogs, countless birds. The park cannot be visited just like that. It is necessary to obtain permission from the Ministry of Forests, which is located in Abidjan.
Museums
The Museum of Civilization in Abidjan is the main museum in the country. Its collection is interesting, the museum itself is small, but the exhibition is arranged somewhat chaotically and is inconvenient for viewing, all the charm of the collection disappears. The basis of the exhibition is the folk art of the Baule and Yakuba tribes, ivory crafts, ritual masks, household items and much more.
Climate of Cote d'Ivoire: Tropical along the coast, semi-arid in the far north. Three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and humid (June to October).
Resorts
Good beaches are located along the town of Sassandra. Sassandra was once the country's main port, but a modern maritime terminal was built in the neighboring town of San Pedro and its role has declined. After that, it became a calm, tourist destination, home to numerous surf schools.
Leisure
Côte d'Ivoire will appeal to connoisseurs of African culture. Every year there are lavish celebrations and colorful festivals dedicated to local deities and Independence Day. The most significant event is the Mask Festival in February.
Beach holidays in Côte d'Ivoire are standard, but many travelers come here not to blissfully do nothing, but to surf.
Relief of Cote d'Ivoire: Mostly flat. Mountains in the northwest.
Transport
There are no direct flights from Ivory Coast to Russia. Transfers are possible in European capitals or in Morocco. From neighboring countries you can get here by bus or train (there is a train connection with Burkina Faso).
Surprisingly, the country has good roads. There is a separate lane for public transport (which is not the case in many Russian cities, alas). The city of Abidjan is famous for its modern interchanges; traveling by car is a great pleasure.
Standard of living
Cote d'Ivoire is one of the most developed countries on the west coast. Agriculture is well developed here (the main suppliers of cocoa and coffee throughout the world). More recently, oil and natural gas deposits were discovered in the country. More than 80% of the country's population is engaged in agriculture. Working conditions on the plantations are very poor: 16-hour working days, lack of social guarantees and low wages. But workers have to put up with this; there is unemployment in the country.
Ivory Coast has resources such as: Oil, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, quartz sand, clay, coffee, palm oil, hydropower.
Cities of Ivory Coast
Abidjan is the main city of the country. Until 1984 it was the capital, now it’s just a huge metropolis where four million people live. This is a modern city with good roads and interchanges (there are even dedicated lanes for public transport). European travelers call Abidjan the “New York of Africa” because of its many skyscrapers and the fact that the city is partly located on small islands.
But you don't have to go far to see a typical African cityscape. It is enough to go beyond the main streets: market collapses and slums are already here.
Yamoussoukro is the capital of the country. This city is the birthplace of the first president of independent Côte d'Ivoire, so the capital was moved here from Abidjan. Here is the largest Catholic church in the world: the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Peace (Notre-Dame de la Paix). Just over 200 thousand people live in Yamoussoukro.
Population
Coordinates
Region de Lagune 5.34111 x -4.02806 Region de Lagune 5.41889 x -4.02056 Vallée du Bandama region 7.68949 x -5.02177 Region du Sassandra 6.87736 x -6.45022 San Pedro Region du Bas-Sassandra 4.73333 x -6.61667 Yamoussoukro Region de Lax 6.82055 x -5.27674 Region de Savannah Region de Dix-Huit Montagnes 7.41251 x -7.55383 Region du Sud-Bandama Region du Fromager 6.12926 x -5.94371 Abengourou Region du Moyen-Tsomoye 6.72972 x -3.49639 Region de Lagune 5.49583 x -4.05472 Agboville Region de l'Agneby 5.93417 x -4.22139 Grand Bassam Region du Sud-Tsomoye The phrase “Ivory Coast” is known to many, but not everyone will draw an analogy with the West African republic of Cote d’Ivoire, but this is the same thing, they just translated the name from French. Existed until 1960. This country is amazing not only with its name and history, but also with its cultural component, as well as its nature, all of which often attracts a lot of tourists. It is here that you can experience true African culture and traditions, which are carefully preserved by numerous local tribes. The local nature is also friendly, pleasing with its diversity and colors. The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire is located on the southern Atlantic coast of the western subregion of Africa, indented by lagoons. Nearby countries: The proximity to the equator affected the climate; there are two types of it: The tropical forests located in the south are noticeably shrinking due to deforestation, so they are no longer as dense as before, although they are still diverse in species composition. Savannahs occupy the rest of the territory. And yet there are the most beautiful national parks, known throughout the region, where many travelers come. You can look at the original virgin forest in the following protected reserves: The latter is marked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In addition to the legendary ones, Côte d’Ivoire has many other inhabitants, for example: The uniqueness of the local nature is also in the fact that the Republic of Cote d Ivoire is one of the few in Africa that has its own drinking water. The system here is abundant, the main ones are: The subsoil of Côte d'Ivoire is rich in natural resources: Not least because of this, Ivory Coast has a fairly developed economy, especially when compared with other African states. A special role is given to agriculture; the republic ranks first in the world in the supply of the following goods: They also grow for export: The strengthening of the gas and oil industries contributes to continuous development. And yet, in Côte d’Ivoire there are also problematic aspects: Tourists are attracted to these regions not so much by the capital of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, but by the natural and cultural riches of the various peoples who love and live with it, as well as other manifestations of creativity. The local art is the best in the region, and each ethnic group has a unique flavor. The attractions here are: The local cuisine is a special asset, because traditional tribal dishes of fish and meat are complemented with French charm; special mention should be made of the sauces - they are amazing. Everyone can find out that the official capital of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire is Yamoussoukro, located in the center of the country. A president was once born here, and in 1983 he appointed his hometown as the main one. Enterprises of the woodworking and food industries are also located here. But even this does not allow the city to be prosperous and influential, therefore the actual capital of the Republic of Cote d Ivoire is Abidjan, which previously played this role. But there is a unique place that attracts many travelers to Yamoussoukro, we are talking about a unique example of the Church of Notre-Dame de la Pax. This Christian cathedral is the highest in the world, while it is almost identical to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The hall of the building is decorated with original stained glass windows, amazing in size and quantity (36 pieces). Cote d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa. In the north it borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, in the east with Ghana, in the west with Liberia and Guinea. In the south it is washed by the Gulf of Guinea. Ivory Coast The country lies in two climatic zones - subequatorial in the north and equatorial in the south. Average monthly temperatures are everywhere from +25 C to +30 C, but the amount of precipitation and its regime are different. The climate in the southern part of the country, in the equatorial climate zone, is hot and humid with heavy rains. The coastal zone is dominated by dense tropical forests, where more than 600 species of trees grow. In the north and center of the country lies a vast savannah. The territory of the republic is inhabited by jackal, hyena, panther, elephant, chimpanzee, crocodile, brush-eared pigs, several species of lizards and snakes. There are antelopes in the savannas, leopards, cheetahs, servals. Full name: Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. The government system is a presidential republic. The country is divided into 26 departments. Formally, the administrative center of the country is Yamoussoukro, in fact the capital of Côte d'Ivoire is Abidjan. If you are interested in African history, art or music, Côte d'Ivoire is the place to explore these aspects of local culture. The art of Côte d'Ivoire is considered one of the best in West Africa and is very distinctive in each ethnic group. The Baule and Yakub peoples are widely known for their original wooden sculpture, usually a traditional wooden mask is a very accurate depiction of a human face, slightly exaggerated to more fully convey character traits. Another characteristic work of local artisans is the large rice cooking spoon, which is typically humanoid in shape and makes an excellent local souvenir. Traditionally used in various ceremonies, Baule face masks are extremely realistic and convey the characteristic features of the appearance or hairstyle of the person who served as their prototype. Senufo masks are highly stylized: the most famous type is the “fire” helmet mask, which is a compilation of the appearance of an antelope, warthog and hyena - the most respected animals of the local animist cult. The city of Yamoussoukro became the capital in 1983, and is still the capital in name. The main attraction of the city is the Notre-Dame de la Pax church, built in the 60s of the 20th century. It is currently the tallest church in the entire Christian world, modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The 36 huge stained glass windows decorating its main hall are also unique. Abidjan was also a provincial city until 1951, when the French completed the construction of the Vridi Canal, connecting the Abidjan lagoon to the ocean. This immediately gave the city an excellent harbor, and since then the population has grown to almost 3 million people, and the city itself has grown to occupy four peninsulas around the lagoon. Known as the "Paris of West Africa", Abidjan has quite a lot Most of the city's nightclubs are also concentrated. The northwestern outskirts of the city, the Parc du Banco, is a tropical forest that smoothly merges with the city buildings, which guarantees pleasant walks (this is the coolest place on the southern coast of the country) and is very popular with jogging lovers. The country's rainforests are rapidly declining (one of the highest rates in the world), with the only remaining virgin forest in the Tán and Marajuz National Parks, covering 3,600 square kilometers. km area in the southwestern part of the country. Trees 50 meters high, with massive trunks and huge supporting roots, are still preserved here. Walking through the equatorial primary forest is a unique experience: tall trees intertwined with vines, fast flowing streams and relict wildlife come together in one place, creating a peaceful and enchanting landscape that nevertheless requires a lot of effort to travel through. The parks are in a very rainy and humid area, so the best time to visit is during the dry period from December to February. To visit the parks you need permission from the Ministry of Forests in Abidjan. Comoe National Park, the largest in West Africa, is located 570 km northeast of Abidjan. Here, next to the river of the same name, there is one of the most popular “animal trails”, where you can watch in the natural environment how large herds of animals go out to the river during the dry season in search of water, where there is an excellent opportunity to observe the habits of a wide variety of representatives local fauna. The Man area in the central part of the country is an area of lush green hills and is famous far beyond the country for its La Cascade waterfall, located in a bamboo forest 5 km west of the city, as well as the steep, tooth-shaped Mont Tonqui and Mt. La Dent de Man (“The Tooth of Man”), considered according to local legends to be the “guardian angel” of this area of the country. Other attractions in the area are the colorful villages of Biankouma, Goussusso, Sipitu and Danane. Korhogo has been the capital of the Senufo people since the 13th century, and the heart of this city is its bustling market. The Senufo are widely known for their wood carvings and are also skilled blacksmiths and potters. Most woodcarvers live and work in a small area called the Sculptors' Apartment. The Senufo are divided into secret communities: "Poro" - a cult for boys and "Sakrabundi" - a cult for girls, in which they prepare for adulthood. The communities preserve the folklore of the people, teach tribal customs, and instill self-control through rigorous testing. Childhood education is divided into three seven-year periods, ending with an initiation ceremony. Each community has a "sacred forest" where training is carried out (non-initiates are never allowed to observe the trials). Some ritual ceremonies take place directly in the village and are allowed for tourists to visit. These include La Danse des Hommes Panteres ("dance of the leopard people"), performed when the boys return from a training session in the forest and many more. The Sassandra port area has beautiful beaches. But what makes this area especially attractive is that it is also home to numerous ethnic Fanti fishing villages, with an active port and a picturesque river. It is also highly recommended to try the local “bangi” - palm wine, which is produced only here. The town of Sassandra was previously an important trading port, but when a modern terminal was built at nearby San Pedro, its role declined and the entire area is now an excellent tourist area. Located 3 km to the east, Plage de Bivac is one of the best spots for surfing. Large waves are also recorded in the adjacent Poly-Plage, as well as in the area of the beaches of Gran Belebi near the Liberian border. Ivory Coast won the two longest penalty shootouts in international history. In the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations final, they defeated Ghana 11-10 in a 24-penalty shootout. In the quarterfinals of the 2006 Cup - Cameroon, with a score of 12-11. The pride of the population of Côte d'Ivoire is its national cuisine. Of course, such a long stay under French rule as a colony also left its mark on the traditions of the cuisine of the people of the country of Côte d’Ivoire. This brought some sophistication. But the original food of the indigenous population cannot leave even an avid gourmet indifferent. Try atyeke, kejen, fufu - and you will come to national restaurants again and again. After all, these are unsurpassed dishes of meat and fish, seasoned with vegetables and luxurious sauces. Just finger-licking good. Sauces are a completely separate topic in the national cuisine of Côte d’Ivoire. This is the highlight of the West African forge. If you haven't tried palm grain sauce, you haven't tried anything! It is 4 hours behind Moscow. late December and early February - Tabaski (African name for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha - Kurban Bayram) March-April – Clean Monday May - Ascension May-June - Trinity Day August 7 - Independence Day from France, celebrated on December 7, since August is not the time for holidays - field work is in full swing October - Eid al-Miraj (Rajab Bayram), a Muslim holiday in memory of the Prophet's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and back October - early November - Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Muslim holiday of breaking the fast) December 25 – Christmas The national currency is the West African CFA franc, equal to 100 centimes. Russian operators do not have GPRS roaming. There are several internet cafes in Abidjan. Communication standard GSM 900/1800. Roaming is available to Beeline and Megafon subscribers. Every city has a bus station, called "Gare routiere", from where all intercity transport departs. The main means of transportation are 22-seater “Mille kilos” minibuses and 7-seater old Peugeot 504 minibuses. Ordinary buses in the usual sense of the word, with air conditioning and a clear schedule, are quite rare and operate only between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro. A 655 km railway line connects Abidjan with the northern part of the country. The daily train departs at 10.30 am from Abidjan to Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), passing through the cities of Bouaké and Ferkessedouou, arriving at the latter late at night. In the return direction, the train from Burkina Faso departs Ferkessedougoou at night and arrives in Abidjan at noon. The trains are relatively comfortable; there are both carriages with airplane seats and 2-4 seater sleeping compartments. The national carrier, Air Ivoire, connects Abidjan with a number of major cities in the country: Bouaké, Buna, Touba and Yamoussoukro. Flights operate daily and fares range from $40 to $70 one way. The import and export of currency is not limited. A customs declaration upon entry and exit is not required. Duty-free import of clothes and other items intended for personal use is allowed. The import of weapons and ammunition, narcotic and psychotropic substances is prohibited. The export of weapons, drugs, food in large quantities, exotic plants, animals and birds is prohibited. Antiquities and art, items made of gold and precious metals are subject to mandatory customs control. The export of animal skins, ivory and crocodile skin products is prohibited without the appropriate permit. To visit Côte d'Ivoire, Russian citizens require a visa. A visa can be obtained from the Ivory Coast embassy in Moscow. Application form and photographs in the amount of 4 pieces (the application form is issued in Russian or French) Original invitation Flights Yellow fever vaccination certificate There are no restrictions on movement within the country. An airport tax (about 2 USD) is charged on domestic flights. COTE D'IVOIRE (Cote d'Ivoire), Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (République de Cote d'Ivoire). Since the 2nd half of the 20th century, the country's population has increased more than fivefold (3.9 million people in 1960; 20.8 million people in 2008); the average annual rate of natural population growth is declining (2.2% in 2008; 4.4% in 1973-82). The birth rate (32.7 per 1000 inhabitants; 2008) significantly exceeds the mortality rate (11.2 per 1000 inhabitants). The fertility rate is 4.2 children per woman; infant mortality rate is 69.8 per 1000 live births. The age structure is dominated by the working age population (15-64 years old) - 56.3%, the share of children under 14 years old is 40.9%, people 65 years old and older - 2.8%. The average age of the population is 19 years (2008). Average life expectancy is 54.6 years (men - 53.9, women - 55.4 years). The ratio of men and women is approximately equal. The balance of external migration is positive, most of the labor migrants come from neighboring countries (mainly from Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea). Average population density 64.5 people/km 2 (2008; one of the highest in Tropical Africa). The south of the country is the most densely populated (up to 384 people/km 2 in the Abidjan region, 106.2 people/km 2 in the Fromage region). In the northern, economically less developed areas, the average population density is much lower (14.6 people/km 2 in the Dengele region). The share of the urban population is rapidly increasing due to the constant influx of rural residents and immigrants (24% in 1965; 42% in 1985; over 50% in 2008). Large cities (thousands of people, 2008): Abidjan (3900), Bouaké (624.5), Daloa (234.7), Yamoussoukro (227), Korhogo (200.2), San Pedro (160.2). The economy employs 6.9 million people, of which about 68% are in agriculture (2007). Unemployment rate 40% (estimate). 42% of the country's population lives below the poverty line (2006). 3. I. Tokareva. Religion About 40% of the population (2006, estimate) of Côte d'Ivoire are Sunni Muslims, about 28% are Christians (including about 19% Catholics, about 6% Protestants), about 30% are adherents of traditional cults. There are also adherents of Afro-Christian syncretic cults (Harrism, etc.), Buddhists, Hindus, Bahais, etc. There are 4 metropolises and 11 dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church. The largest Protestant organization is the United Methodist Church of Côte d'Ivoire (founded in 1924, independent status since 1985). Orthodox parishes are under the jurisdiction of the Alexandrian Orthodox Church. Historical sketch Côte d'Ivoire before independence. Archaeological finds (so-called Neolithic workshops along the river banks) indicate the settlement of the territory of Côte d'Ivoire in the Stone Age. In the 3rd-2nd millennium BC, the development of agriculture began in the savannah zone, and then in the forest zone; In the 1st millennium AD, iron production, pottery, weaving, and gold mining became widespread. At the beginning of the 2nd millennium, the Senufo peoples who came from the northwest settled here; The city of Kong, founded by them, became one of the largest centers of caravan trade in West Africa. In the 15th-16th centuries, the Senufo were pushed to the north-west by the Mandean-speaking peoples (Malinke, Gyula, etc.), who created a state entity centered in Kong at the beginning of the 18th century. In the 15th century, in the interfluve of the Kamoe and Black Volta rivers, the state of the Abron people - Bono - was formed; to the west of the Bandama River is the early state formation of Anya and Baule. The northern part of the territory of Côte d'Ivoire was part of the sphere of influence of the states of Western Sudan - Ghana, Mali and Sotai. In 1893, BSK was declared a colony of France (before that, the territories captured by the French were administratively part of the colony of Senegal), and in 1895 it was included in French West Africa. The main branch of the colonial economy of the BSK became the mining industry (mining gold, diamonds, manganese ore), as well as the development of forest resources; Plantation farming began to develop, and export crops were cultivated - cocoa, coffee, bananas. At the end of the 1930s, trade unions and public organizations of Africans arose in the BSC, demanding that they be given political rights. In October 1946, BSK received the status of an overseas territory of France (within the French Community); part of the population of the BSK began to participate in the elections of representatives to the French parliament, as well as to the general council of the territory, endowed with advisory functions (in 1952 it was transformed into a territorial representative assembly, in 1958 - into a constituent assembly). In 1946, the first party of the African population was created - the Democratic Party (DP; territorial section of the African Democratic Association) led by D. F. Houphouet-Boigny. According to the 1956 law, in the development of which Houphouët-Boigny took part, universal suffrage was introduced, the division of voters into two curiae (African and European) was abolished, and the rights of the territorial legislative assembly were expanded. According to the results of the referendum held on September 28, 1958, BSK received the status of a member state of the French Community. A government was formed and Houphouët-Boigny became its chairman. Cote d'Ivoire since 1960. The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire was proclaimed on August 7, 1960. It left the French Community, but retained close ties with the former metropolis (in 1961, the government of Côte d'Ivoire concluded a number of agreements on economic and military cooperation with France). In November 1960, the country's constitution was adopted. Formally, it did not prohibit the activities of opposition political parties, but in fact, the DP was recognized as the only party in Côte d’Ivoire, under whose control all trade union and public organizations were placed. In November 1960, the DP won the elections to the National Assembly, and at the same time D. F. Houphouët-Boigny was elected president of the republic. Subsequent presidential and parliamentary elections were also held on an uncontested basis. The government pursued a liberal economic policy; a course was taken to attract foreign capital and develop private entrepreneurship. In the 1960-80s, economic growth rates were very high (due to the use of funds received from the export of coffee and cocoa beans), which largely contributed to maintaining internal political stability in the republic. In the 1980s, due to the fall in world prices for coffee and cocoa beans, the country's economy entered a protracted crisis. Inflation, mass unemployment and a sharp drop in the standard of living of the population caused the growth of anti-government sentiment. In May 1990, D. F. Houphouet-Boigny legalized the activities of opposition political parties and organizations. In the presidential elections on October 28, 1990, he defeated the opposition candidate L.K. Gbagbo. Bedier's period as president was marked by further destabilization of the domestic political situation, caused, among other things, by the government's discriminatory policies towards immigrants (about a quarter of the population of Côte d'Ivoire comes from other countries, mainly from Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, Guinea). In 1999, on the eve of new presidential elections, mass demonstrations took place in the capital and other cities of the country in support of A.D. Ouattara. Taking advantage of the situation, the military, led by retired General R. Guey, carried out a coup d'etat. It was announced that the constitution was suspended, the president was removed, and the government and parliament were dissolved. Power passed to the National Committee of Public Safety. In January 2000, a transitional government was formed, in which Guei assumed the post of President of the Republic and Minister of Defense. On July 23, 2000, the new Constitution of Côte d’Ivoire was approved in a referendum (came into force on August 1, 2000); the article on the requirements for a presidential candidate remained unchanged. The presidential elections on October 22, 2000 ended with the victory of the leader of the Ivorian Popular Front (IPF; created in 1983 in France) L. K. Gbagbo. According to the results of the parliamentary elections (12/10/2000 - 1/14/2001), the FPI and DP received approximately an equal number of seats. The elections did not lead to normalization of the situation in the country. On September 19, 2002, the military seized power in the cities of Abidjan, Bouaké and Korhogo. The rebellion was suppressed, but rebel groups took control of all the northern, as well as part of the central and western regions. Clashes began on ethnic grounds (between Ivorians and immigrants, as well as between representatives of different nations). In March 2003, a coalition government of national reconciliation was formed, which included members of the FPI, DP, rebel organizations and the Republican Association. However, a year later, ministers representing the opposition announced a boycott of the government in connection with the dispersal of demonstrations by Côte d’Ivoire security forces (over 100 people were killed). In early April 2004, UN military units were sent to assist the government in resolving the conflict in the country. In the summer of 2004, a summit of the heads of 13 African states was held in the city of Accra (Ghana), at which an agreement was reached between the government of Côte d'Ivoire and the rebels to resolve the internal conflict. However, the situation remained unstable as the warring parties refused to disarm. Under these conditions, L. K. Gbagbo decided to postpone to a later date the presidential elections, which were originally planned to be held in 2005 (later they were postponed several more times). At the beginning of March 2007, negotiations between Gbagbo and the leader of the Ivorian opposition forces G. K. Soro ended in the capital of Burkina Faso, the city of Ouagadougou. The parties signed an agreement providing for the creation of a new transitional government of the country headed by Soro (formed on April 7, 2007). The government of Côte d'Ivoire faces the task of disarming rebel groups, restoring destroyed infrastructure, resolving interethnic tensions, and ensuring the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections. Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Côte d'Ivoire were established in 1967 (interrupted by the government of Côte d'Ivoire in 1969, restored in 1986). Trade turnover between the two countries is US$153.2 million (2004). The Russian Federation consistently advocates for a political settlement of the conflict in Côte d’Ivoire. Lit.: Blokhin L.F. Ivory Coast. M., 1967; Tokareva Z. M. Republic of Cote d’Ivoire. Directory. M., 1990; Encyclopedia of African peoples. N.Y., 2000; Coulibaly A. A. Le système politigue ivoirien: de la colonie à la Pe République. R., 2002; Countries and regions of the world. 3rd ed. M., 2009. Farm GDP volume is 33.1 billion dollars (at purchasing power parity; 2007); per capita 1.7 thousand dollars. Human Development Index 0.432 (2005; 166th among 177 countries in the world). Real GDP growth 1.6% (2007; 11% in the 1960s, 6% in the 1970s and early 1980s, 5% in the late 1990s). In the structure of GDP, the service sector accounts for 50%, agriculture - 28%, industry - 22%. Industry. Hydrocarbon production plays an important role in the eastern part of the Gulf of Guinea shelf. The total volume of oil production (started in 1980) is 52 thousand barrels/day (2007; 15 thousand barrels/day in 2002). The largest fields (2007): Espoir (28.1 thousand barrels/day), Baobab (21.1 thousand barrels/day), Lyon (1.9 thousand barrels/day). Production is carried out mainly under the control of the state company Société Nationale d'Operations Pétroliéres de la Côte d'Ivoire (Petroci). About 60% of oil is exported, of which 2/3 is to Western European countries (mainly Germany) and Canada. Natural gas has been produced since the early 1990s (16 billion m3 in 2002; 22 billion m3 in 2006). Leading companies: Foxtrot International, Petroci, Energy de Côte d’Ivoire, etc. All gas is used within the country (the main consumer is the electric power industry). Electricity needs are fully covered by our own fuel resources. The installed capacity of power plants is 1.1 thousand MW (2005). Electricity production 5.3 billion kWh, export - 1.1 billion kWh (2006). Most of the energy generated is produced at thermal power plants (powered by natural gas). The largest thermal power plant is “Azito” in the Abidjan region (1999; installed capacity 288 MW, over 1/3 of the electricity generated). About 1/5 of electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants; the most important are “Ayame I” and “Ayame II” on the Bio River, “Kossou” and “Taabo” on the Bandama River, “Viuo” on the Sassandra River. The country's only refinery of the Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR) company is located in Abidjan (capacity 65 thousand barrels/day; 47.3% of shares are owned by the state). A second oil refinery is under construction (since 2008, commissioning in 2011) in the Abidjan area (capacity 60 thousand barrels/day). Export of petroleum products to Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger. Gold mining is underway (1.3 tons in 2006, 3.6 tons in 2002; Ity and Soubre deposits; the largest companies are the French La Mancha Resources Inc. and the state-owned Société pour le Développement Minier en Cote d'Ivoire), diamonds (300 thousand carats in 2006; Tortia and Seguela districts in the north and west of the country). There are small metallurgical and metalworking enterprises (production of steel sheets from imported billets, metal roofing materials, fittings, pipes, wire, etc. in Abidjan), factories for the assembly of cars, motorcycles, bicycles and household electrical products (Abidjan), numerous chemical enterprises ( production of paints and varnishes and plastics, perfumes and cosmetics, household chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.), a cellulose plant (San Pedro; about 200 thousand tons of cellulose per year), two textile mills (Bouake and Dimbokro; mainly cotton fabrics made from local cotton and, in small quantities, synthetic fabrics made from imported raw materials). There are several small leather and shoe factories, a match factory (60-100 million boxes per year), shipbuilding and ship repair yards (in Abidjan). The logging and woodworking industries are developing rapidly (about 600 thousand m 3 of lumber per year); Most of the enterprises are concentrated in the southern regions of the country. The production of building materials plays a significant role in the economy. Sand, gravel, limestone and other construction materials are being mined. There is a ceramic factory in Abidjan. The food industry is of great importance. The main products of numerous small enterprises are palm oil, cocoa butter, instant coffee, canned pineapples and fruit juices, and canned fish. Large flour mills and bakeries are in Abidjan and San Pedro. One of the promising industries is fishing. The annual catch is about 70 thousand tons (mainly tuna and sardines). Transport. Côte d'Ivoire has an extensive road network, its density is especially high in the southern regions. The length of roads is 80 thousand km, including 6.5 thousand km with hard surfaces (2006). Motor transport ensures the delivery of almost all export products to export points on the coast and the transportation of imported goods to various parts of the country. By roads running along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire is connected with Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, and Nigeria. The length of the only railway (Abidjan - border with Burkina Faso) is 660 km; The volume of passenger and cargo transportation is declining due to increasing competition with road transportation. Seaports - Abidjan (cargo turnover of about 19 million tons per year, the largest in West Africa; provides over 90% of foreign trade traffic) and San Pedro (mainly the export of timber and lumber). 7 airports have a paved runway (2007). International airports are in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro and Bouaké. International trade. The value of merchandise exports is $18.5 billion, imports are $6.1 billion (2007). The commodity structure of exports is dominated by agricultural products: cocoa beans (about 30% of the value) and cocoa products, coffee, cotton, rubber, palm oil, fruits; About 25% of the value of exports comes from oil and petroleum products. Other goods include wood and lumber and canned fish. Main buyers (2006): Germany (9.7% of value), Nigeria (9.1%), Netherlands (8.4%), France (7.3%), USA (7%), Burkina Faso (4 ,4%). Côte d'Ivoire imports oil and oil products (over 33% of the cost), machinery and equipment, vehicles, and food. The main suppliers of goods are Nigeria (30.5% of the cost), France (16.4%), China (6.7%). Lit.: Pasco Bakayolo M. Côte d’Ivoire: démocratie en peine, rien ne va plus en Afrique. R., 2005; Koffi Koffi R. La défi du développement en Côte d’Ivoire. R., 2008. 3. I. Tokareva. Armedstrength The armed forces (BC) of Côte d'Ivoire consist of the Ground Forces (LF), Air Force, Navy, Presidential Guard and Gendarmerie (over 17.1 thousand people; 2007), and there are also paramilitary forces - police (1.5 thousand people ; 2007). Annual military budget $300 million (2007). The Supreme Commander is the President, who leads the BC through the Ministry of Defense and the BC Headquarters. The ground forces (6.5 thousand people) include 4 military regions, 1 tank and 3 infantry battalions, a separate artillery division, a parachute group, an engineering company and an anti-aircraft artillery battery. It is armed with 15 tanks (including 5 light ones), 31 armored personnel carriers, 25 armored personnel carriers, 4105 mm howitzers, 16 120 mm mortars, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. The Air Force (700 people) includes fighter, transport, communications and helicopter squadrons (several airplanes and helicopters, including 4 combat aircraft). The Navy (950 people) includes several landing and patrol boats. The number of presidential guards is 1.4 thousand people, the gendarmerie is 7.6 thousand people. Weapons and military equipment are mainly of French origin. Recruitment of BC on the basis of universal conscription of males aged 18 years, as well as selectively under contract. Training of officers and non-commissioned officers is carried out mainly in France. Some junior officers are trained at the national military school and at the flight school in Bouaké. Mobilization resources: 4 million people, including 2.1 million people fit for military service. In 1961, France and Côte d'Ivoire signed a joint defense agreement (French troops are stationed - about 3.8 thousand people). V. D. Nesterkin. Healthcare In Côte d'Ivoire, per 100 thousand inhabitants there are 12 doctors, 60 paramedical personnel, 2 dentists, 6 pharmacists (2004). Total expenditure on health care is 3.9% of GDP (2005) (budget financing - 27.6%, private sector - 72.4%) (2003). Legal regulation of the healthcare system is carried out by the Law on the Protection of Public Health and the Environment from the Effects of Industrial and Radioactive Wastes (1988). The healthcare system includes the city's private medical and dental facilities. In rural areas, medical care is limited in volume and quality due to lack of personnel. The most common infections are bacterial dysentery, hepatitis A, malaria, yellow fever, and schistosomiasis (2008). The main causes of death in the adult population: AIDS, malaria, lower respiratory tract diseases, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, injuries, cancer (2004). Seaside climatic resort of Grand-Bassam. V. S. Nechaev. Sport The most popular sports: judo, boxing, football, handball, athletics, kayaking and canoeing. The Ivory Coast national football team successfully competes in international competitions - winner (1992) and finalist (2006) of the African Cup, participant in the final part of the World Cup in Germany (2006). The country's strongest football players play in leading European clubs: D. Drogba - champion of England as part of London's Chelsea (2005, 2006); A.K. Keita - French champion with Lyon (2008); K. H. Toure - at Arsenal (London, since 2002); his brother J. Toure - in Barcelona (since 2007); B. Sanogo - at Werder (Bremen, since 2007), etc. Goalkeeper A. Guamene participated in 7 African Cup competitions. V. I. Linder. Education. Scientific and cultural institutions The management of educational institutions is carried out by the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research. The network of preschool institutions is poorly developed; they mainly operate in large cities. The education system includes (2008) compulsory free 6-year primary education for children from the age of 6, 7-year secondary (4-year incomplete and 3-year complete) education in state and non-state educational institutions (colleges and lyceums), vocational -technical education (based on primary and junior high schools) in apprenticeship centers and technical lyceums, higher vocational education. Preschool education covers 3% of children, primary education - 71%, secondary education - 32%. The literacy rate of the population over the age of 15 is 62.1% (2006). The system of higher professional education includes: University of Cocody, University d'Abobo-Adjame (both in Abidjan); University of Bouaké - all universities separated in 1995 from the National University (founded in 1958 as the Center for Higher Education in Abidjan), the National Polytechnic Institute (1996) in Yamoussoukro, the National School of Administration (1960), the National Higher School of Fine Arts (1963) - both in Abidjan; National School of Engineering (1963), Higher School of Agronomy (1996) - both in Yamoussoukro. The main museums, libraries, and scientific institutions are located in Abidjan, Bouaké, and Korhogo. Mass media Leading periodicals: daily government newspapers “Fraternité Matin” (published since 1964, circulation 25 thousand copies), “Ivoir’ Soir” (since 1987, 10 thousand copies); monthly government newsletter “Journal Officiel de la République de Cote d’Ivoire” (since 1958, 25 thousand copies); daily independent newspapers “Le Jour” (since 1994), “Le Patriote” (since 1991), “La Nouvelle République”, “Notre Voie”; monthly magazine “Eburnea” (since 1967) (all in the city of Abidjan, in French), etc. Radio broadcasting since 1949 (regular since 1951), television since 1963. Broadcasts television and radio programs (in French and local languages) public service “Radiodiffusion-Télévision Ivoirienne”, etc. National news agency - Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (AIP; created in 1961). Literature The literature of Côte d'Ivoire develops in French. In the 1930s, national drama was born. In 1938, the “Native Theater” was created, where everyday, historical plays were staged, as well as those that raised the topic of colonial exploitation (the works of B. B. Dadier, F. J. Hamon d’Aby, etc.). In 1952, the People's Academy of Literature and Poetry was established, and in 1962, the National Association of Writers Writing in French. The heyday of drama began after independence. In the 1960s and 70s, heroic-historical drama appeared. The influence of French classicism is marked by E. Derven's duology: the drama "Saran, or the Crime Queen", in which the image of a wise African ruler, politician and commander is created, and "The Tongue and the Scorpio" (both 1968). Sh. Nokan in the play “The Sorrows of Chaco” (1968) posed the problem of the ruler and the people; The socio-utopian play “Abraa Poku, or the Great African” (1970) was based on the legend about the origin of the Baule people. The struggle of the African peoples against the colonialists was reflected in the plots of the epic dramas “Beatrice from the Congo” (1970) and “Isles of the Storm” (1973) by Dadier, whose work is also associated with the birth of a satirical comedy (“Mr. Togo-Nyini”, 1970; “ Mua-Sel", 1979). The glorification of the historical past is the basis of the play “Sofa” by B. Zadi Zauru (1975). Poetry and prose began to develop rapidly in the 1950s. A striking example of revolutionary anti-colonial poetry: the collections “Africa in Full Length” (1950), “People of All Continents” (1967) by B. B. Dadier; “The Stern Call of Hope” by J. M. Bognini (1961). In the 1970s, there were clear trends in poetry to romanticize Africa's past (the works of B. Zadi Zauru, A. Kanie). The development of prose is also associated with Dadier’s name: the collection “African Legends” (1954), the book of fairy tales based on folklore “The Black Armband” (1955); autobiographical novel “Clembier” (1956), etc. The theme of the collapse of the illusions of “a man of two cultures” is revealed in the novel “Kokumbo - a black student” by A. Loba (1960). The novels “The Black Dawn Is Coming” (1962) and “The Wind Was Strong” (1966) by S. Nokan are distinguished by the severity of their anti-colonial pathos, romantic pathos, and stylistic syncretism (a combination of lyricism and journalisticism). In the 1970s, moral novels became widespread, in which traditional African values came to the fore. In line with Negritude are the novels “The Young Man from Bouaké” by M. Kone (1963), “Ouazzi” by J. Dodo, “Masseni” by T. Dema, “The Pacified Arsonist” by P. du Prey (all - 1977). “Black” everyday life writing, the depiction of the dark phenomena of traditional African society (magic, witchcraft, secret societies) is characteristic of the novel “At the Threshold of the Unreal” by A. Kone (1976). In the intellectual parable novel “Identity Card” by J. M. Adyaffi (1980), a call is expressed in symbolic form to restore the ties with the spiritual and cultural heritage of our ancestors that were severed by the colonialists. An example of a highly artistic synthesis of the individual author’s ironic style, elements of the oral tradition of the Malinke people and modern novel technique was the work of A. Kuruma (“Monnet, or the Humiliated Challenge,” 1990; “Waiting for the Voting of Wild Animals,” 1998, etc.). Lit.: Lyakhovskaya Ya. D. Poetry of West Africa. M., 1975; she is the same. Features of the formation and development of drama in French-language literatures of Tropical Africa // Development of genres in modern literatures of Africa. M., 1983; she is the same. Literature of Côte d’Ivoire // French-language literature of Tropical Africa. M., 1989; Lezou G. D. Creations romanesques devant les transformations actuelles en Côte d’Ivoire. Dakar, 1978; Makouta-Mboukou J. R. Introduction à l’etude du roman négro-africain de langue française. 2ed. Dakar, 1983; Writers of Côte d'Ivoire: Bibliographic Index. M., 1988. Ya. D. Lyakhovskaya. Architecture and fine arts After the declaration of independence, 1-4-story residential buildings began to be built; multi-storey buildings are being built, combining a shopping center located in the lower part, a hotel, restaurants and apartment buildings or offices: the Nur al-Hayat center (architects A. Lager, J.P. Lupy, J. Mahe), the office complex "La Pyramide" "with aluminum trim (architect R. Olivieri, engineer R. Morandi; both in Abidjan, 1960-70s), airport near Abidjan (1969, architects M. Ducharme, J. Moreau, J. P. Mino) , Hotel Cascades in Man (1969, Ducharme, C. Larra, Mino); administrative building of SCIAM in Abidjan (1975, J. Semichon) in the international style. Some hotels (in Sassandre, architect Benois-Barnet; in Asini, architects J. Semichon, L. Renard, A. K. Vi) are stylized as huts with thatched roofs. Cultural centers and covered markets have been created in Abidjan and Bouaké. Reinforced concrete and glass are used in construction, and local artisans are involved in finishing work. In the 1970s, O. K. Kakub developed a general plan for the city of Yamoussoukro and built a complex of public buildings in the forms of brutalism: the Palace of Congress, the Palace of the President, the President Hotel, the buildings of the city hall and the Houphouet-Boigny Foundation. In the 1980s, Catholic churches were built: St. Paul's Cathedral in Abidjan (1985, architect A. Spirito) with elements of postmodernism, the grandiose Notre-Dame de la Paix cathedral in Yamoussoukro (1986-89, architect P. Fakhoury; building repeats the composition of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican); both buildings are decorated with stained glass windows. Painting as an independent art form emerged in Côte d'Ivoire only in the 1960s. Among the artists of this period are M. Codjo and E. J. Santoni; both were educated in France. At the turn of the 1980-1990s, Ya. Bat gained fame, in whose works the techniques of abstractionism are combined with the local ornamental tradition. A special place in artistic life is occupied by representatives of naive art (Z. Macrae, F. Bruly-Boisbre), who continue the craft tradition of making signboards. The most famous sculptor is K. Lattier, who worked in France and at home; creates works from metal, basket weaving elements, ropes and fabric. S. Doguo Yao is engaged in ceramic sculpture in the spirit of Baule traditions for the design of architectural structures; K. Muroufier also works in this genre. Wood carving (masks, figurines of people), processing of gold, bronze and copper, and weaving are developed. The production of pottery is concentrated in the Katiola region, the Seguela region is famous for its elegant “canari” vessels, and in the Korhogo region spherical pots and huge grain tanks are made. Traditional house painting is developing. Lit.: Castel J. Inventaire des formes de representation graphique en Côte d’Ivoire et propositions d’exploitation. Abidjan, ; Architecture coloniale en Cote d'Ivoire. Abidjan, 1985; L'Art des enseignes. Abidjan, 1985; Lerat J.-M. Chez bonne idée: Images du petit commerce en Afrique de l'Ouest. R., 1986; Blanditi A. Bronzes et autres alliages: Afrique de l᾿Ouest. Marignane, 1988; Magiciens de la terre. . R., 1989; Contemporary African artists: Changing tradition. . N.Y., 1990; Boyer A.-M. Arts premiers de Cote d'Ivoire. Saint-Maur, 1997; Bonneau R. Ecrivains, cinéastes et artistes ivoiriens: Aperçu bio-bibliographique. Abidjan, 1973. V. L. Voronina, E. N. Silversvan. Music The musical culture is typical of West Africa; represented by the professional traditions of Dan, Malinke (Mandingo group), Baule, We (Kru group), Senufo. Among the Dan, music is identified as an independent branch of traditional culture; its connection with cult practice has been largely preserved (the origin of music is associated with the world of spirits; begbo masks that distort the voice are used for magical purposes). Professional musicians unite in associations, specialization is inherited; To this day, the skill of improvising singers is highly valued (solo singing is accompanied by playing the harp and lamellaphone). Music is an integral part of initiation rites, rituals preceding a hunt, etc. Drumming accompanies the work of farmers, wrestling competitions and dancing. The Malinke caste of professional singers and musicians is the Djeli (griots; they accompany themselves on the kora, xylophone, harp, etc.); Among the socially significant functions of the djeli are parting words to soldiers and their glorification. Professional music also has a high status in the social life of the Baule: songs in honor of deities and ancestral spirits are common; in judicial practice, drums are used, which are considered intermediaries between people and the spirits of ancestors; At public gatherings, poetic texts and proverbs are chanted, accompanied by drums and signal idiophones. The Baule is characterized by two-voices (singing and playing instruments in parallel thirds). They use so-called talking drums for their signal function; songs of praise to leaders and warriors are also played on them. The Senufo have no caste of musicians, but music is of great importance in the rites of male and female secret societies; Particularly interesting are the songs of initiation rites, which are accompanied by large instrumental ensembles. Leisure forms of music playing are common in cities. Music education and the study of traditional music are concentrated in Abidjan. A. S. Alpatova. Theater, dance Folklore-based dance performances are especially popular in Côte d'Ivoire. In 1974, the National Ballet of Côte d'Ivoire was created in Abidjan. The most famous dance groups: “Mantche” (1998), “Jigiya” (1999), “Duncan” (2006), “1 Somniak” (2008). Among the performers (early 2000s) are A. B. Bamba, A. Drame, K. Mamadi. Lit.: Lvov N.I. Modern theater of Tropical Africa. M., 1977; Lvova E. S. Ethnography of Africa. M., 1984; The world encyclopedia of contemporary theater / Ed. D. Rubin. N.Y., 2000. Vol. 3:Africa; A history of theater in Africa / Ed. M. Banham. Camb., 2004. G. M. Sidorova. Movie The origin of national cinema is associated with the name of T. Basori, who in the 1960s directed the short films “On the Dunes of Solitude”, “The Sixth Furrow”, “Fire in the Bruss”, etc. In 1969 he also released the first national full-length film “Woman with a Knife” ", which touched upon the relationship between African and Western civilizations. In the 1970s, the problems of national reality were reflected in the films “Amanye” and “The Hat” by R. M’Bala and “The Cry of the Muezzin” by E. N’Dabian Vodio. In the 1980s, the films “The Man from Afar” by M. Traote, “Jelly” by K. Lansike Fedike, “AnjaTio” by J.L. Cool, “Dalokan” by M. Dos, “Healers” by S. Bakaba were released in the country. In 1983, the film “Pétanque” by I. Kozoloa was released (together with Nigeria). “Exotic Comedy” by K. Toure (1985) - about the life of the traditional Senufo society - aroused significant audience interest. The most famous filmmakers are directors D. Ecaré (“Concert for an Exile,” 1968; “France for the Two of Us,” 1970; “Faces of Women,” 1985) and A. Duparc (“Muna, or the Dream of an Artist,” 1969; “Family”) ", 1972; "Wild Grass", 1977; "I Chose Life", 1987; "Ball in a Cloud of Dust", 1988; "The Sixth Finger", 1990; "Coffee Color", 1998), raising in their works current moral and social themes and tending to the tragicomedy genre. In 1974, the Association of Professional Filmmakers of Côte d'Ivoire was formed (part of the Pan-African Federation of Cinematographers). Since 1969, films from Côte d'Ivoire have participated in the All-African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou. Lit.: Cinematography of foreign countries. M., 1996; Shakhov A. S. Duparc A.; Ekare D. // Cinema of Asia, Africa, Australia, Latin America: Director's Encyclopedia. M., 2001. A. S. Shakhov.
Tropical forests naturally have a large number of insects and exotic birds.
Capital of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
It is a small settlement with traditional buildings and a small number of inhabitants. Of the modern buildings there are only:Capital: Yamoussoukro
CLIMATE OF COTE D'IVOIRE
Temperatures range from 22 C to 32 C, and the heaviest rain occurs from April to July, as well as in October and November. Oceanic air dominates here all year round and there is not a single month without precipitation, the amount of which reaches 2400 mm per year. In the north, in the subequatorial climate, the temperature difference is sharper (in January it drops to +12 C at night, and in the summer it exceeds +40 C), there is much less precipitation (1100–1800 mm) and a pronounced dry winter period. From December to February, harmattan winds blow in the northern regions of the country, bringing hot air and sand from the Sahara, sharply reducing visibility and making breathing difficult.FLORA AND FAUNA OF COTE D'IVOIRE
GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE OF COTE D'IVOIRE
ATTRACTIONS OF COTE D'IVOIRE
City of Yamoussoukro
attractions: Abidjan has a traditional large market for handicrafts, many picturesque parks, Le Plateau Park is especially beautiful. The central, commercial part of the city and Cocody, the chic residential section, are interesting for their architecture - here you will find the imperial Ivory Hotel, considered the most famous hotel in West Africa and the main attraction of the city. It has everything you can imagine - a swimming pool, an artificial ice skating rink, a bowling alley, a cinema, a casino and the city's main art store. Next to the hotel is the Saint-Paul Cathedral, built by Italians and consecrated by the Pope in 1985, which can compete in beauty and grace with many temples in the world. Connected to Le Plateau by two major bridges, Treichville has the largest of the city's four markets,
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COTE D'IVOIRE
NATIONAL CUISINE OF COTE D'IVOIRE
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CôTE D'IVOIRE time
Holidays COTE D'IVOIRE
Currency of COTE D'IVOIRE
Communications in COTE D'IVOIRE
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At the end of the 15th century, Europeans, mainly the Portuguese, began to penetrate the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, exporting ivory (the name of the country is Côte d'Ivoire in French means Ivory Coast, BSK), gold and slaves. The colonization of Côte d'Ivoire began in 1637 by French missionaries. In the 1840s, the French gained a foothold on the coast of Côte d'Ivoire, and in the 1880s they began advancing inland. In 1887-89, France imposed a series of so-called allied treaties on the rulers of African states and tribal leaders. In 1892, according to the Franco-Liberian convention, the borders of the French possessions and Liberia were determined (subsequently, the decisions of the convention were repeatedly revised in favor of France), in 1893, according to the Franco-British convention, the borders with the British colony of the Gold Coast were determined.
In anticipation of the 1995 presidential elections, the National Assembly of Côte d'Ivoire adopted a constitutional amendment, according to which only those who had Ivorian parents (one or both) could run for the presidency. This amendment deprived the leader of the opposition party Rassemblement Republicans (founded in 1994 as a result of a split in the DP), A. D. Ouattara, of Burkinabe origin, from the opportunity to participate in the elections. On October 22, 1995, DP representative E. A. K. Bedier was elected president (other candidates boycotted the elections).
The basis of the economy of Côte d'Ivoire is agriculture. Since the early 2000s, the economic situation has become more difficult due to internal political instability. Since 2004, the World Bank has stopped lending to Côte d’Ivoire. The country's development prospects are associated with economic diversification, increasing the role of the private sector, attracting foreign investment, and overcoming poverty.
Agriculture. The leading industry is crop production. Along with modern agrotechnical methods (especially in plantation farms), a system of shifting farming is practiced. 10% of the country's territory is cultivated (constantly about 4%), of which about 1/2 is cocoa planting. Côte d'Ivoire ranks first in the world in the production of cocoa beans (over 1 million tons in 2005; an average of about 46% of world production; 15% of the value of GDP). Coffee is also of export importance (collection of 130.8 thousand tons of green beans in 2005; 11th place in the world, mainly the Robusta variety, about 5% - Arabica), peanuts (72.5 thousand tons); cashew nuts (59 thousand tons; 7th place in the world), bananas (36.1 thousand tons), pineapples (34.8 thousand tons; 18th place in the world), sugar cane (22.8 thousand tons), coconuts, avocados, mangoes, cottonseeds. Significant areas are occupied by oil palm plantations (cultivated for the production of palm oil) and Hevea plantations. Côte d'Ivoire is Africa's largest producer of natural rubber (72.4 thousand tons in 2005; 8th place in the world). The most important food crops (collection, thousand tons; 2005); yam 605, plantain 299, rice 245, cassava 108, corn 106. Livestock farming is developed mainly in the northern regions; in the central and southern regions it is focal. The livestock (thousands of heads; 2005) is dominated by goats and sheep - 2700; cattle 1500, pigs 333.
The National Olympic Committee was founded in 1962, recognized by the IOC in 1963. Ivory Coast athletes have taken part in the Olympic Games since 1964 (with the exception of 1980); the only award was won by track and field athlete G. Tjakokh, who took 2nd place in the 400 m race (Los Angeles, 1984). In 1960, the Ministry of Youth and Sports was established. In the 1960s, the first sports federations were created in the country and a number of national championships were held.
The peoples of the southern, forested part of the country build rectangular dwellings with roofs made of palm branches. Among the Baule and Anya peoples, oval houses are surrounded by a canopy. In the northwest, round houses with conical thatched roofs are common. This type of housing in the east of the country is being replaced by adobe houses with a rectangular plan and a flat roof. In the central part of Côte d'Ivoire, houses have a rectangular plan with rounded ends and are divided into 3-4 rooms. The walls of houses are often painted with geometric patterns, figures of people and animals.
The national theatrical tradition originates in the art of griots. In 1938, graduates of the school of U. Ponty (Dakar) organized the “Native Theater” in Abidjan, which paid special attention to plays directed against the quackery of sorcerers (“Bussatier, or the Secret of the Black Sorcerer” by F. J. Hamon d’Aby, 1939, etc. ). In the early 1940s, satirical productions by G. Coffey (one of the founders of African theater) appeared based on his own plays - “Our Wives” (1940) and “My Husband” (1941); in 1943 he staged his anti-colonial play The Song Returns. In 1953, the “Native Theater” was transformed into the “Cultural and Folklore Circle”, which occupied a prominent place in the cultural life of all of West Africa. The repertoire included plays of everyday and historical content (including “The Crown at Auction” by Amon d’Aby, “Iahonda” by Coffey, “The Adventures of the Goat” by D. Mahaman). In 1958, under the leadership of K. Nguan, the Ivory Coast Theater Society was founded. At this time, plays by local playwrights were widely staged (“The Country Witch” by M. Berthe, “Termites” by E. Derven, etc.). The Abidjan University troupe “Masks and Balafons” enjoyed success. In 1959, the School of Dramatic Art opened in Abidjan, which was later transformed into a theater school at the National Institute of Arts (established in 1967). Among the significant performances of this period: “Three Candidates, One Husband” by G. Oyono Mbia (1968), “Mr. Togo-Nyini” by B. B. Dadier (1970), “Toussio” by G. Deman-Go (1971). In 1971, the comedy “The Inspector General” by N.V. Gogol was staged on the Abidjan stage. In the 1980s and early 2000s, productions by playwright and director M. Ekissi (“The Time of the Red Berets,” 1988; “The Tragedy of King Christophe,” 1993; “Cruel Holiday,” 1999; “My Name is Brahima,” 2001) were popular. One of the largest theatrical figures in Côte d'Ivoire at the beginning of the 21st century is actor and director S. Bakaba. Since 1993, the International Arts Festival has been held in Côte d'Ivoire every 2 years.
