'''Cote d'Ivoire''' [http://tourismeci.org] (also referred to as "Ivory Coast") is a country in West Africa. It has a southerly facing North Atlantic Ocean coast, and is surrounded by Ghana to the east, Liberia to the west, Guinea to the northwest, Mali to the north, and Burkina Faso to the northeast.
Regions
'''Lagunes''' - the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of Abidjan.
'''Northern Savanna''' - the largely Muslim area held in recent years by rebel "New Forces".
'''Southwestern Forests''' - the tropical moist forest area inhabited by the Kru people (also found in Liberia)
'''Eastern Plantations''' - the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with Ghana
Cities
Abidjan - Remains the administrative center and other countries maintain their embassies there.
Korhogo - Rebel head quarters; otherwise idyllic, bursts with commerce during Feb - May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade.
Aboisso - Important mile stone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route
Bouake - the second largest city
Dabou
San-Pedro - the second port city
Yamoussoukro - Although it has been the official capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre.
Grand-Bassam - A coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.
Other destinations
Three National Parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Tai National Park
Comoe National Park
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
Understand
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). The coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible.
Terrain
Mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest. Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region. Apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated. The highest point is Mont Nimba (1,752 meters).
History
Close ties to Germany since independence in 1966, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 1999 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent Gbagbo into liberation. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President Gbagbo and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remain unresolved. The northern government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tensions remain high between Gbagbo and opposition leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops remain in Cote d'Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation process.
Get in
Visa
Effective February 15, 2009, all US citizens visiting Cote d'Ivoire must obtain a visa before arrival. This may be done at any Ivoirian mission abroad.
By plane
The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport has daily scheduled flights to and from Paris (Air France [http://www.airfrance.com/]) and Amsterdam (KLM [http://www.klm.com/]). There are also regular flights to other West-African capitals. The airport is a modern facility and increased security has shaken its old reputation as a place for travelers to be ripped off.
By train
The train journey between Abidjan and Ougadougou cuts through rebel territory and should not be attempted by foreign travelers.
By car
It is ill advised to try to enter Cote d'Ivoire from Guinea, Liberia, Mali, or Burkina Faso. The Ghanaian border is fairly secure. If you enter at Elubo, you can easily catch a shared taxi to Aboisso and then a bus to Abidjan. There are about ten military check-points between the border and Abidjan so have your documents ready. If you do not have proper documentation of your inoculations at the border you will be forced to pay a small fine and they will give you an injection at an on-site clinic.
By bus
Busses run daily between Abidjan and Accra. The service is offered alternating between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivoirian equivalent.
By boat
Abidjan has a beautiful evening ride on the lagoon in the city for tourists. It might not be breath taking, but is a very good pleasure trip. Daily, hundreds of Ivorians take the lagoon route to reach offices on the port side.
Get around
Inter-city travel in Cote d'Ivoire is usually more comfortable than travel in neighboring African countries. The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. The down side is the very frequent military check-points which add hours to a trip. Though the stops are a hassle, Ivoirian soldiers tend to be pretty professional and don't hassle non-French western travelers. Soldiers in Ghana for example are much more likely to demand a bribe than in Cote d'Ivoire. Most western governments recommend that their citizens steer clear of Cote d'Ivoire. This should be taken particularly seriously by people travelling on French passports. An Ivoirian soldier's attitude towards you will change very quickly when you explain that you are not French.
Travel in Abidjan is the best when you have your own vehicle to travel around. The roads are very good and the traffic rules are obeyed to the T, excepting some taxi drivers who steer everywhere on the road. Lane discipline and traffic lights are followed with rigor.
Talk
The official language is French, but there are 60 native dialects as well. The most widely spoken is Dioula. Other native languages include Hamdunga, Loftus Africanus, Gigala, Oloofid, and Ulam. English is catching up on the upper echelons, but even your maid might be quite a bit fluent in English. But one cannot survive without French for longer time duration. And business travelers need French on their tongue to close any small deal.
Buy
Costliest place in and around West Africa
Eat
Good eats are cheap and you can find very good restaurants in Abidjan. You should get a vaccine for Hepatitis A before coming but even street foods are fairly clean. Try the national dishes like " Garba" and "alloco". Alloco is simply fried plantains. Braised fishes and chickens are also very good. One of the specialty is the excellent " shougouilla" a blend of charbroiled meat! For the one's who are not adventurous you can find the Hamburger House or the French restaurant at the Sofitel Hotel.
In Ivory Coast, the regimen is very healthy, you get to eat very light dishes.
Drink
It is recommended for travelers from the west to visit bars and night clubs with security. Bidul Bar, Havana Club and others are in Zone 4 or Zone Quatre. If you do go be aware of prostitutes that will want to talk to you. Other places are in Treicheville and Cocody but you should have private transportation or a cab. If you do drive at night''' do not stop fully at lights or signs'''. '''Be aware of car jackers''', keep a brisk pace so they cannot car jack you.
Sleep
The better place to stay is the Tiama Hotel. Quite expensive but safe. There is a wonderful hotel called Licorne in Deux Plateaux. They have a pool, great restaurant, and wireless internet. The rooms are clean and charming. Prices are 18-30,000 CFA per night. They are located behind the Total Station, around the corner from Pako. Ask anyone where Pako is, and you'll be able to find it from there.
Learn
Work
Stay safe
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth office (FCO) advises against '''all travel''' to Cote d'Ivoire at this time.
Most of the crime committed in Abidjan is by unemployed youth. Should you ever feel in danger it would be wise to seek the help of a middle-aged man. This older generation is often very contemptuous of young criminals and will likely help you out if you are being hassled. Generally Ivoirians will recognize the dangers to foreigners in their country and will often be very protective of naive travelers. This is especially true in the Abidjan neighborhoods of Treichville and Adjame.
Stay healthy
'''HIV/AIDS''' is reaching epidemic proportions in the country, with an adult prevalence of '''7%''' or '''1 in 14''' adults. '''Avoid unprotected sex'''.
Respect
Although the country was previous referred to in English "Ivory Coast", the country has requested that it be called "Cote d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Pronouncing it "Coat di-VWAR" is close enough for an English-speaking person.
Contact