About République Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast):
Côte d’Ivoire is a West African country with beach resorts, rainforests and a French-colonial legacy. Abidjan, on the Atlantic coast, is the country’s major urban center. Its modern landmarks include zigguratlike, concrete La Pyramide and St. Paul’s Cathedral, a swooping structure tethered to a massive cross. North of the central business district, Banco National Park is a rainforest preserve with hiking trail.
The country’s official name changed from Ivory Coast to Côte d’Ivoire in April 1986. The government desired to be known by its official French name (Côte d’Ivoire) globally, rather than having it translated into “Ivory Coast” (English), Costa de Marfil (Spanish), or other variants. The move ensured consistency in international relations and official dealings. Similar to other African nations, the move away from the translated name “Ivory Coast”—a name given by, and largely used by, colonial powers helped solidify a distinct, post-colonial identity.
The government of Côte d’Ivoire requested that its name not be translated into different languages, insisting on the French title République de Côte d’Ivoire for all diplomatic protocols. This change was made to create a single, official international identity and eliminate confusion caused by translating the name across different languages. The Ivorian government has since refused to recognize translations of the name into other languages for diplomatic purposes.
For pronunciation, it most easily pronounced “koht dee-VWAHR”. However, the English translation “Ivory Coast” is still often used in English media and publications…it may seem more familiar and it is a bit easier to pronounce, especially for those who may not speak French!
Among its natural attractions are Grand-Bassam, a historic UNESCO World Heritage site known for its colonial architecture and beaches and Tai National Park, for exploring nature and seeing chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Catholic places of interest in République de Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast):
Catholic churches exist in Ivory Coast due to French colonization, beginning in the 17th century and accelerating in the 19th century, establishing Catholicism as a major influence. The Church grew through missionary work (schools and hospitals), and later, Ivorian President Félix Houphouët-Boigny funded the massive Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, cementing its significance.
Abidjan: A bustling city with St. Paul’s Cathedral and tropical forests.
Yamoussoukro: the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire. It’s inland, northwest of Abidjan. It’s known for the enormous Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, with its stained-glass windows and towering dome. The city is the birthplace of 20th-century president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, whose former palace has a crocodile-filled lagoon.
Traveling to République Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast):
Sadly, we do not recommend traveling to Côte d’Ivoire at this time. Especially, do not travel to the northern border region (Savanes and Zanzan Districts, including Comoe National Park) due to threats from extremist groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a major Salafi-jihadist alliance and the official Al-Qaeda branch in Mali and the Sahel region.
By air: The main entry point is Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan. Airlines offering flights from the U.S. include Delta, Air France, and Ethiopian Airlines, with a common flight route involving a stopover or direct via specific routes.
By land: It is possible to enter by bus from neighboring countries like Ghana (via Elubo border), with STC buses being a recommended, comfortable option.