| Background: |
Close ties to
France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa
production for export, and foreign investment made Cote
d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African
states. Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however,
sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25
December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote
d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by
President Henri Konan BEDIE. Presidential and legislative
elections held in October and December 2000 provoked
violence due to the exclusion of opposition leader Alassane
OUATTARA. In October 2000, Laurent GBAGBO replaced junta
leader Robert GUEI as president, ending 10 months of
military rule. |
| Location: |
Western Africa,
bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and
Liberia |
| Geographic
coordinates: |
8 00 N, 5 00 W |
| Area: |
total:
322,460 sq km
land: 318,000 sq km
water: 4,460 sq km |
| Area
- comparative: |
slightly larger
than New Mexico |
| Land
boundaries: |
total:
3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana
668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km |
| Maritime
claims: |
continental
shelf: 200 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: |
tropical along
coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry
(November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet
(June to October) |
| Terrain: |
mostly flat to
undulating plains; mountains in northwest |
| Elevation
extremes: |
lowest point:
Gulf of Guinea 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m |
| Natural
resources: |
petroleum,
natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite,
copper, hydropower |
| Land
use: |
arable land:
8%
permanent crops: 4%
permanent pastures: 41%
forests and woodland: 22%
other: 25% (1993 est.) |
| Irrigated
land: |
680 sq km (1993
est.) |
| Natural
hazards: |
coast has heavy
surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season
torrential flooding is possible |
| Environment
- current issues: |
deforestation
(most of the country's forests - once the largest in West
Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from
sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents |
| Environment
- international agreements: |
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements |
| Population: |
16,393,221
note: estimates for this country explicitly
take into account the effects of excess mortality due to
AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher
infant mortality and death rates, lower population and
growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population
by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001
est.) |
| Age
structure: |
0-14 years:
46.21% (male 3,802,397; female 3,773,455)
15-64 years: 51.57% (male 4,343,518; female
4,110,805)
65 years and over: 2.22% (male 180,463; female
182,583) (2001 est.) |
| Population
growth rate: |
2.51% (2001 est.) |
| Birth
rate: |
40.38
births/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Death
rate: |
16.65
deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) |
| Net
migration rate: |
1.4 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2001 est.)
note: after Liberia's civil war started in
1990, more than 350,000 refugees fled to Cote d'Ivoire; by
the end of 1999 most Liberian refugees were assumed to have
returned |
| Sex
ratio: |
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2001
est.) |
| Infant
mortality rate: |
93.65
deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) |
| Life
expectancy at birth: |
total
population: 44.93 years
male: 43.58 years
female: 46.33 years (2001 est.) |
| Total
fertility rate: |
5.7 children
born/woman (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- adult prevalence rate: |
10.76% (1999
est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- people living with HIV/AIDS: |
760,000 (1999
est.) |
| HIV/AIDS
- deaths: |
72,000 (1999
est.) |
| Nationality: |
noun:
Ivorian(s)
adjective: Ivorian |
| Ethnic
groups: |
Akan 42.1%,
Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%,
Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (1998) |
| Religions: |
Christian 34%,
Muslim 27%, no religion 21%, animist 15%, other 3% (1998)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory
workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%) |
| Languages: |
French
(official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely
spoken |
| Literacy: |
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.5%
male: 57%
female: 40% |
| Country
name: |
conventional
long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast |
| Government
type: |
republic;
multiparty presidential regime established 1960 |
| Capital: |
Yamoussoukro;
note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital
since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the
US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan |
| Administrative
divisions: |
50 departments (departements,
singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso,
Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma,
Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali,
Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue,
Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Katiola,
Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume,
Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre,
Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,
Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula
note: Cote d'Ivoire may have a new
administrative structure consisting of 58 departments; the
following additional departments have been reported but not
yet confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN);
Adiake', Ale'pe', Dabon, Grand Bassam, Jacqueville,
Tiebissou, Toulepleu, Bocanda |
| Independence: |
7 August (1960)
(from France) |
| National
holiday: |
Independence Day,
7 August (1960) |
| Constitution: |
3 November 1960;
has been amended numerous times, last time 27 July 1998 |
| Legal
system: |
based on French
civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the
Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: |
18 years of age;
universal |
| Executive
branch: |
chief of
state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26 October
2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of
the interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a
dubious victory in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself
had assumed power on 25 December 1999, following a military
coup against the government of former President Henri Konan
BEDIE
head of government: Prime Minister and Minister
of Planning and Development Affi N'GUESSAN (since 27 October
2000) appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the
president
elections: president elected by popular vote
for a five-year term; election last held 26 October 2000
(next is scheduled to be held NA 2005); prime minister
appointed by the president
election results: Laurent GBAGBO elected
president; percent of vote - Laurent GBAGBO 59.4%, Robert
GUEI 32.7%, Francis WODIE 5.7%, other 2.2% |
| Legislative
branch: |
unicameral
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (225 seats; members
are elected in single- and multi-district elections by
direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: elections last held 10 December 2000
with by-elections on 14 January 2001 (next to be held NA
2005)
election results: percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - FPI 96, PDCI-RDA 94, RDR 5, PIT 4,
other 2, independents 22, vacant 2
note: a Senate is scheduled to be created in
the next full election in 2005 |
| Judicial
branch: |
Supreme Court or
Cour Supreme consists of four chambers: Judicial Chamber for
criminal cases, Audit Chamber for financial cases,
Constitutional Chamber for judicial review cases, and
Administrative Chamber for civil cases; there is no legal
limit to the number of members |
| Political
parties and leaders: |
Democratic Party
of Cote d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally or PDCI-RDA [Aime
Henri Konan BEDIE]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent
GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE];
Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Henriette DAGRI-DIABATE];
Union for Democracy and Peace [Gen. Robert GUEI]; over 20
smaller parties |
| Political
pressure groups and leaders: |
NA |
| International
organization participation: |
ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM,
OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO |
| Diplomatic
representation in the US: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador Youssouf BAMBA
chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 |
| Diplomatic
representation from the US: |
chief of
mission: Ambassador George MU
embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address: B. P. 1712, Abidjan 01
telephone: [225] 20 21 09 79
FAX: [225] 20 22 32 59 |
| Flag
description: |
three equal
vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green;
similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the
colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist
side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of
France |
| Economy
- overview: |
Cote d'Ivoire is
among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee,
cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is
highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for
these products and to weather conditions. Despite government
attempts to diversify the economy, it is still largely
dependent on agriculture and related activities, which
engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of
lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in
1994, due to the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc and
improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in
nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and
rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore
oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and
debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France.
Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led
to a jump in growth to 5% annually in 1996-99. Growth was
negative in 2000 because of the difficulty of meeting the
conditions of international donors, continued low prices of
key exports, and post-coup instability. In 2001-02, a
moderate rebound in the cocoa market could boost growth back
above 3%; however, political instability could impede growth
again. |
| GDP: |
purchasing power
parity - $26.2 billion (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- real growth rate: |
-0.3% (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- per capita: |
purchasing power
parity - $1,600 (2000 est.) |
| GDP
- composition by sector: |
agriculture:
32%
industry: 18%
services: 50% (1998) |
| Population
below poverty line: |
NA% |
| Household
income or consumption by percentage share: |
lowest 10%:
3.1%
highest 10%: 28.8% (1995) |
| Inflation
rate (consumer prices): |
2.5% (2000 est.) |
| Labor
force: |
68% agricultural
(2000 est.) |
| Unemployment
rate: |
13% in urban
areas (1998 est.) |
| Budget: |
revenues:
$1.5 billion
expenditures: $2.1 billion, including capital
expenditures of $420 million (2000 est.) |
| Industries: |
foodstuffs,
beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus
assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials,
electricity |
| Industrial
production growth rate: |
15% (1998 est.) |
| Electricity
- production: |
4.06 billion kWh
(1999) |
| Electricity
- production by source: |
fossil fuel:
75.37%
hydro: 24.63%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1999) |
| Electricity
- consumption: |
3.183 billion kWh
(1999) |
| Electricity
- exports: |
593 million kWh
(1999) |
| Electricity
- imports: |
0 kWh (1999) |
| Agriculture
- products: |
coffee, cocoa
beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca),
sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber |
| Exports: |
$3.8 billion
(f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Exports
- commodities: |
cocoa 33%,
coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas,
pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish (1999) |
| Exports
- partners: |
France 15%, US
8%, Netherlands 7%, Germany 6%, Italy 6% (1999) |
| Imports: |
$2.5 billion
(f.o.b., 2000 est.) |
| Imports
- commodities: |
food, consumer
goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment |
| Imports
- partners: |
France 26%,
Nigeria 10%, China 7%, Italy 5%, Germany 4% (1999) |
| Debt
- external: |
$13.9 billion
(2000 est.) |
| Economic
aid - recipient: |
ODA, $1 billion
(1996 est.) |
| Currency: |
Communaute
Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible
authority is the Central Bank of the West African States |
| Exchange
rates: |
Communaute
Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21
(January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998),
583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999,
the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per
euro |
| Fiscal
year: |
calendar year |
| Telephones
- main lines in use: |
219,283 (31
December 1999) |
| Telephones
- mobile cellular: |
322,500 (May
2000) |
| Telephone
system: |
general
assessment: well developed by African standards
but operating well below capacity
domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio
relay; 90% digitalized
international: satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial
submarine cables (June 1999) |
| Radio
broadcast stations: |
AM 2, FM 8,
shortwave 3 (1998) |
| Radios: |
2.26 million
(1997) |
| Television
broadcast stations: |
14 (1999) |
| Televisions: |
900,000 (1997) |
| Internet
country code: |
.ci |
| Internet
Service Providers (ISPs): |
5 (2001) |
| Internet
users: |
20,000 (2000) |
| Railways: |
total:
660 km
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km
double track
note: an additional 600 km of this railroad
extends into Burkina Faso, ending at Kaya, north of
Ouagadougou (2000) |
| Highways: |
total:
50,400 km
paved: 4,889 km
unpaved: 45,511 km (1996) |
| Waterways: |
980 km (navigable
rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) |
| Ports
and harbors: |
Abidjan, Aboisso,
Dabou, San-Pedro |
| Merchant
marine: |
total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,200 GRT/1,500 DWT
ships by type: petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.) |
| Airports
- with paved runways: |
total:
7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2000 est.) |
| Airports
- with unpaved runways: |
total:
29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 9 (2000 est.) |
| Military
branches: |
Army, Navy, Air
Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes
Presidential Guard), Sapeur-Pompier (Military Fire Group) |
| Military
manpower - military age: |
18 years of age |
| Military
manpower - availability: |
males age
15-49: 3,851,432 (2001 est.) |
| Military
manpower - fit for military service: |
males age
15-49: 2,010,862 (2001 est.) |
| Military
manpower - reaching military age annually: |
males:
188,411 (2001 est.) |
| Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$94 million
(FY96) |
| Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
1% (FY96) |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
| Illicit
drugs: |
illicit producer
of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; transshipment
point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and
occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine
destined for Europe |
|
