Côte d'Ivoire: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire is on the south coast of West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea. It has sandy beaches and lagoons along the coast, rainforests in the south and savanna in the north. It is known for growing cocoa and coffee and for the lively city of Abidjan.

About Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro is in the centre of Côte d'Ivoire, well inland from the coast. It was the home village of the country's first president and is famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world.

Fun facts about Côte d'Ivoire

1. Côte d'Ivoire is one of the world's biggest growers of cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate.
2. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is one of the largest churches in the world.
3. Taï National Park protects rare pygmy hippos and 11 species of monkeys.
4. Chimpanzees in Taï National Park use stones and wooden clubs to crack open hard nuts.
5. The country's French name means 'Ivory Coast', after the ivory traded along its shore long ago.
6. The orange, white and green flag of Côte d'Ivoire looks like Ireland's flag in reverse.