The Republic of Côte D'Ivoire or the country of Ivory Coast is a nation situated in the West Africa. This country is bordered by Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Liberia. The country has an estimated area of 124,503 square miles and has a humid climate. Its capital city is Yamoussoukro and the largest city in the country is Abidjan.
Ivory Coast’s people are called Ivorian or Ivoirian. They have an estimated population of 20,600,000 inhabitants. The Ivorian people are composed of many different ethnic groups. Akan is one, which is the largest of all the ethnic groups and it comprises for about 42.1% of the total population. The next two largest are the Voltaiques and the Northern Mande, which comprises 17.6% and 16.5% of the total population, respectively. The official language of the country is French, but they have many vernacular languages in the country like Dioula, Dan, Anyin, Baoule and many others.
There are two predominant religions in the country of Ivory Coast. These are the Islam, specifically the Sunni Muslims, and the Christianity, particularly the Roman Catholics. In fact, each of these two religions influences as much as 35% to 40% of the total population. Adding up, 25% of the total population practices traditional religious beliefs.
The culture of the country is quite similar to its neighboring countries, especially its traditional cuisine. Their cookery relies on tubers and grains. If you will notice most of their prepared dishes, plantains and cassavas are part of it. Not only that. Peanuts also are used in preparing many kinds of their dishes. They have this corn paste they called “Aitiu” and they use it for corn balls.
If you would want to taste the best cuisine in the country, you surely needed to go to their finest restaurants. One of these most excellent restaurants of the country is the Le Grand Large. Only one word will describe the dishes they prepare, “brilliant”. They do not only serve brilliant dishes, but they also serve it quickly! The great ambiance will also add some factor why you will be at home in this place. Their staffs are also friendly and polite. But it is quite pricey so you better get your cash ready. However, it is really one of the best.
The country has also many places that are visited by many tourists. The national museum that is located in Abidjan is a fantastic museum that contains various artifacts. If you will observe the artifacts, it is like you are going back in time because some of them are preserved from the Stone Age. The place really has its own way of sharing the history of the country.
If you are not yet satisfied, you can visit the Beach Resorts in some towns of the country like Assinie and Assouinde. The beaches here are not that familiar to many and it is still really beautiful and untouched by many. If you want to go here, you just have to head east of the Abidjan city.