| a republic in W Africa: formerly part of French West Africa; gained independence 1960. 14,986,218; 127,520 sq. mi. (330,275 sq. km). Capital: (political) Yamoussoukro. Capital: (commercial) Abidjan. |
Côte d'I·voire  (dē-vwär')   (click for larger image in new window) A country of western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea. Divided into various isolated kingdoms at the time of European discovery in the 15th century, it was organized as a French colony in 1893, became a part of French West Africa in 1904, and declared its independence in 1960. Yamoussoukro is the capital and Abidjan is the largest city and de facto administrative center. Population: 18,000,000. I·vo'ri·an (ī-vôr'ē-ən, ī-vōr'-), I·voir'i·an (ē-vwär'ē-ən) adj. & n. |
I·vo·ry Coast (ī'və-rē, īv'rē)
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Republic in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Burkina Faso to the northeast, Ghana to the east, and Liberia and Guinea to the west. It is also known as the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (French for Ivory Coast). Its capital and largest city is Abidjan.
Note: French control of the area began after World War II and lasted until 1960, when the Ivory Coast declared itself independent.
Note: One of the most prosperous and politically stable nations in Africa.
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