Côte d'Ivoire / The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa. Although it is commonly known in English as the Ivory Coast, the Ivorian government officially discourages this usage, preferring the French name Côte d'Ivoire to be used in all languages. Côte d'Ivoire has an area of 322462 km2, and borders the countries of Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population, which was 15366672 in 1998,is estimated to be 20617068 in 2009. Prior to its occupation by Europeans, Côte d'Ivoire was home to several important states, including Gyaaman, the Kong Empire, and Baoulé. There were also two Agni kingdoms, Indénié and Sanwi, which attempted to retain their separate identity through the French colonial period and even after Côte d'Ivoire's independence.An 18431844 treaty made Côte d'Ivoire a "protectorate" of France and in 1893, it became a French colony as part of the European scramble for Africa. The state became independent on 7 August 1960. From 1960 to 1993, it was led by Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Côte d'Ivoire maintained close political and economic association with its West African neighbours, while at the same time the country maintained close ties to the West, especially to France. However, since the end of Houphouët-Boigny's rule, the country has experienced two coups détat (1999 and 2001) and a civil war,but recent elections and a political agreement between the new government and the ...

• published: 01 Mar 2010
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• author: matheona