One of the larger west African coastal countries, Ivory Coast – officially Côte d'Ivoire – is the world's biggest cocoa producer. The forested interior, apart from the capital, is more sparsely populated than the sandy coastal strip. Pro-Western President Houphouët-Boigny ruled from independence in 1960 until 1993. A period of turbulence followed his death. Military rule in 1999 gave way in 2000 to an elected president after a chaotic poll.

There are more than 60 tribes in Ivory Coast. Larger groups among them can be recognised on the basis of cultural identity, the key ones being the Baoulé in the center, the Agri in the east, the Senufo in the north, the Dioula in the northwest and west, the Bété in the center-west, and the Dan-Yacouba in the west. President Houphouët-Boigny promoted his own group, the Baoulé, who account for 23% of the population.

The extended family is an important force, particularly in the shanty towns of Abidjan. Migrants from other west African countries account for up to 40% of the population.

Strengths

Well-developed agriculture: major cocoa and coffee producer. Relatively good infrastructure. Expanding oil and gas industries. Healthy foreign investment levels. Successful debt rescheduling.

Weaknesses

Failure to invest adequately in education and professional training. Overdependence on cocoa and coffee. Slave labor on plantations.

A power struggle to replace President Houphouët-Boigny in 1993 was won by arch-conservative, and French-backed, National Assembly president Henri Konan Bédié. His main rival, the Muslim northerner Alassane Ouattara of the RDR, returned in 1999 to contest the presidency. Konan Bédié's attempts to prevent him from standing provoked a coup led by Gen. Robert Guei. Guei stood as a candidate in the 2000 presidential elections, while barring both Konan Bédié and Ouattara from the poll. A popular revolt was incited by Guei's attempts to falsify the results and he fled the country. Supporters of veteran socialist Laurent Gbagbo, who had led in the poll, then clashed violently with Ouattara's followers. Legislative elections in December were won by Gbagbo's FPI. A national reconciliation forum convened in October–December 2001 successfully promoted a dialog among the main political parties.

Instability in other west African countries, such as neighboring Liberia, is a major concern. Relations with the main creditors, the World Bank group, and France, the chief source of private investment and bilateral loans, also form a major issue. Ivory Coast plays an important role in international cocoa and coffee organizations.

France is the main supplier of equipment and trainer of officers for the 6800-strong army. It also maintains a garrison near Abidjan. Ivory Coast has a large paramilitary gendarmerie.

Close to self-sufficiency in energy. Substantial offshore oil and gas reserves. Forest resources badly depleted.

The government imposed a ban on unprocessed timber exports in 1995 to protect Ivorian forests.

The relatively good transportation system focuses on Abidjan, the premier port of francophone west Africa.

The incidence of HIV/AIDS is high, affecting over 5% of adults. In 2001 drugs companies agreed to cut the prices of treatments by 80–90%.

Baccalauréat pass rates are low. Spending cuts have provoked student agitation. Primary education fees ended in 2001.

Foreign immigrants are often blamed for the widespread crime in Abidjan. Human rights abuses are common.

A large bourgeoisie grew rich in the boom years. Urban living standards in Ivory Coast are better than in many African countries.

Ambitious plans for an "African Riviera" east of Abidjan and the opening of a hotel by the French Club Méditerranée have helped increase tourism. The giant Roman Catholic basilica at Yamoussoukro is an attraction.

One of the great trading emporia of west Africa, the Ivory Coast was made a French colony in 1893. By 1918, the French had defeated the Malinke empire and the forest peoples of the interior.

• 1903–1935 Plantations developed.
• 1960 Félix Houphouët-Boigny declares independence.
• 1970 Oil production starts.
• 1990 First contested polls: Houphouët-Boigny and PDCI win.
• 1993 Houphouët-Boigny dies.
• 1998 Power of president increased, Ouattara apparently barred from standing in presidential elections.
• 1999 Military coup led by Gen. Guei.
• 2000 Guei ousted after falsely claiming election victory. Laurent Gbagbo president.
• 2001 National Reconciliation Forum set up.