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.
PEOPLE Cote d'Ivoire 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 Mande (west), Northern Mande (northwest), Senoufo/Lobi (north center
and northeast). The Baoules, in the Akan division, probably comprise the
largest-single subgroup with 15-20% of the population. They are based in the
central region around Bouake and Yamoussoukro. The Betes in the Krou division,
the Senoufos in the north, and the Malinkes in the northwest and the cities are
the next largest groups, with 10-15% each of the national population. Most of
the principal divisions have a significant presence in neighboring countries.
HISTORY The early history of Cote d'Ivoire is virtually
unknown, although it is thought that a Neolithic culture existed. France made
its initial contact with Cote d'Ivoire in 1637, when missionaries landed at
Assignee near the Gold Coast (now Ghana) border. Early contacts were limited to
a few missionaries because of the inhospitable coastline and settlers' fear of
the inhabitants.
ECONOMY The Ivoirian economy is largely
market-based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Between 60% and 70%
of the Ivoirian people are engaged in some form of agricultural activity. The
economy performed poorly in the 1980s and early 1990s, and high population
growth coupled with economic decline resulted in a steady fall in living
standards. Gross national product per capita was $727 in 1996 but had fallen to
$669 by 2003. (It was substantially higher two decades ago.)
Full country name: Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Area: 322,000
sq km Population: 16.8 million People: Akan (including
Baoulé and Agni), Kru (Yacouba, or Dan, primarily), Senoufo, Mandé, Lebanese and
French. Language: French, Religion: Traditional religions
(65%), Muslim (23%), Christian, mostly Protestant (12%) Government:
republic Head of State: President Laurent GbagboGDP: US$24.2
billion GDP per capita: US$1,640 Annual Growth: 6%
Inflation: 3% Major Industries: Cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum,
palm oil, fish, cotton Major Trading Partners: France, Germany,
Netherlands, Burkina Faso
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