Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast or Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country of 27 million people. The country is named for the large quantities of ivory traded there in precolonial times - and over the years the country has grown into one of the most prosperous and politically stable countries in the region. Ivory Coast's political capital is Yamoussoukro in the center of the country, while its economic capital and largest city is the port city of Abidjan - which was also the former political capital of the country from 1960-1983 after gaining independence from France. Ivory Coast boasts plenty of beautiful sights and popular tourist destinations - from beach resorts, pristine rainforests, and unique historical landmarks - there's plenty you'll want to check out.
Our tour of the country starts off in the capital city of Yamoussoukro. It's known for the enormous Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, with its stained-glass windows and towering dome. The city is the birthplace of 20th-century president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, whose former palace has a crocodile-filled lagoon - which have become rather hostile towards locals over the years, so you'll want to watch your step. The city's interesting layout can be attributed to it's complex history - after growing for decades, Yamoussoukro became the country's capital city in 1983 and had big plans to become one of the continent's greatest capital cities with countless monumental buildings and landmarks in the works. However, a lack of resources and a dwindling population due to the country's stalling economy in the 80s left it halfway completed, with entire districts becoming eventually becoming abandoned.
A closeup view of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace - constructed between 1985 and 1989, this imitation of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is known for being the largest church on Earth.
After exploring the capital, we head north through the Ivory Coast's rural interior bushland, traveling along a loosely connected network of paved roads and dirt trails until we reach Kong. This town in the country's northern region is known for it's most famous landmark, the uniquely beautiful Kong Mosque - this baked mud and log mosque is one of the most well-preserved examples of Sudano-Sahelian architecture in the region.
For our next sights, we'll be exploring a few of the Ivory Coast's most beautiful natural wonders - starting just outside the city of Man in northwest Ivory Coast. This region is known for its impressive waterfalls like La Cascade - where a number of small streams from the foothills of the Guinea Highlands dramatically cascade down a staircase of rocks, making for an incredible view that you can get right up close to.
The Ivory Coast is also well known for its beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Guinea - the pristine white sands here at Grand-Bassam make it a popular tourist destination.
The last stop in our journey across Ivory Coast is the country's largest city of Abdijan, the former political capital of the country. With a population of over 4 million, it's one of the region's most populous French-speaking cities and is the country's major urban center. It's also the country's chief port, economic hub, and commercial center - and its central business district is home to an impressive skyline as well. In its golden days during the 1980s and up to the early 1990s, Abidjan, with its towering skyline and surrounding lagoon, was considered one of the foremost cities in the region in terms of fashion, culture and the standard of living. After a few decades of stagnation, the city and country as whole are once again growing and prospering.
Don't forget to comment, like, and follow True Earth if you haven't already! 
-korver
-
13
4 Comments
Recommended Comments
Sign In or register to comment...
To comment in reply, you must be a community member
Sign In
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowCreate an Account
Sign up to join our friendly community. It's easy!
Register a New Account