Côte d’Ivoire

In brief

Côte d’Ivoire is a country in West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro. Abidjan is the economic capital and seat of most institutions. With 32.7 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 50th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 322,463 km². It shares land borders with Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Mali.

GDP per capita stands at $3,050 (2025), 142nd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 62.1 years (2024). 55% of the population lives in cities.

History of Côte d’Ivoire

Kingdoms such as Kong, the Baoulé and the Abron shared the region before French colonisation, formalised in 1893. Independent on 7 August 1960, Côte d’Ivoire was led until 1993 by Félix Houphouët-Boigny, when cocoa drove the “Ivorian miracle”. From 2002 to 2011 the country went through a rebellion and then a severe post-election crisis. Alassane Ouattara has led it since 2011. Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983; Abidjan remains the economic capital.

Geography of Côte d’Ivoire

The south, on the Gulf of Guinea, is lined with lagoons and was once covered in forest; the north is savanna. Mount Nimba (1,752 m), on the Guinean border, is the highest point. Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest cocoa producer.

Map of Côte d’Ivoire

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Flag of Côte d’Ivoire

The flag of Côte d’Ivoire is white, green and orange. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Orange33%
• White33%
• Green33%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Orange, white and green vertical bands: orange for the northern savannas, white for peace, green for the southern forests and hope. It looks like the Irish flag reversed.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Ivory Coast” and “Flag of Ivory Coast”.

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Fact file

Economy and society