Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea. Formerly a French colony, it became independent in 1960 under Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
French West Africa: A federation of French colonial territories in West Africa that existed from 1895 to 1958. Côte d’Ivoire was one of the territories governed within this colonial federation.
Politics of Côte d’Ivoire: The institutions, parties, elections, and political processes through which Côte d’Ivoire is governed. It traces how power has been organized since independence.
Economy of Côte d’Ivoire: The national economy of Côte d’Ivoire, a major West African producer of agricultural goods and services. It links agriculture, trade, and urban growth within the country.
West Africa: The western region of Africa, comprising countries along the Atlantic coast and the Sahel. Côte d’Ivoire’s regional ties shape its borders, trade, and diplomacy.
Ghana: A West African country east of Côte d’Ivoire, formerly the British colony of the Gold Coast. Its neighboring position and different colonial history make a useful comparison.
French colonial empire: The overseas territories and dependencies ruled by France from the sixteenth century through the twentieth century. French imperial rule established the colonial framework from which Côte d’Ivoire emerged.
Ivorian Civil War: An armed conflict in Côte d’Ivoire from 2002 to 2007, followed by renewed conflict in 2010–2011. The rebellions exposed divisions over political power and national identity.
Cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire: The cultivation and processing of cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa-producing country. Cocoa exports have made the crop central to livelihoods and national revenue.
Gulf of Guinea: A broad inlet of the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of western and central Africa. Côte d’Ivoire’s southern coastline opens onto this Atlantic gulf.
Burkina Faso: A landlocked country in West Africa bordering Côte d’Ivoire to the north. Its migration ties and contrasting landlocked geography illuminate shared regional histories.