Côte d'Ivoire was a former French colony. It is located in Western Africa and is divided into fourteen districts. It shares borders with Guinea, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Liberia. The main districts are Abidjan, Sassandra-Marahoué, and Bas-Sassandra. The country is the 28th largest in Africa, with a surface area of 322,463 square kilometers, making it one of the continent's smaller countries. The climate is separated into two zones: tropical coast and semiarid far north. Its topography is primarily flat, with mountains in the northwest. The total population is 29.3 million. The capital of the country is Yamoussoukro. The most populated city, however, is Abidjan, with 3.6 million people. Other notable cities in the country include Abodo, Bouaké, and Daola. The biggest airport is Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ). It has an estimated annual passenger volume of 2 million. It connects the country with destinations in Africa, France, and the Middle East. It is named after the first president of Côte d'Ivoire, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960. Its culture is shaped by a combination of customs and French ancestry. The country is religiously diverse, with Muslims making up the majority and Christians following closely behind. The official language of the nation is French. There are more than 60 native languages and dialects. The legal system is based on the French Civil Code. President Alassane Dramane Ouattara is the elected leader of state. Patrick Achi is the Prime Minister and head of government. Elections take place every five years. The official currency of the country is the West African CFA franc (XOF), with a current exchange rate of XOF 600 to the USD. Côte d'Ivoire has an open economy, with a GDP of around $77 billion. This puts it Africa's 13th largest economy. Its per capita income is $2,646. Services and agriculture are the two largest contributors to the GDP. Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest cocoa bean exporter and a major producer of coffee and palm oil. Over the last five years, the country's economy has been one of the fastest expanding in the world. Côte d'Ivoire is an emerging tourist destination with limited alternatives. It's noted for its biodiversity and historical sites. The primary tourist attractions are beaches and safaris. The primary locations include Grand Bassam, Abidjan, and Tai National Park. The country received approximately 1.9 million visitor visits per year on average.
