Côte d'I·voire (d -vwär ) also I·vo·ry Coast ( v -r, vr) 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 (-vôr-n, -v r-), I·voiri·an (-vwär-n) adj. & n. |   |
Côte d'Ivoire (French) [kot divwar]
n
(Placename) a republic in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea: Portuguese trading for ivory and slaves began in the 16th century; made a French protectorate in 1842 and became independent in 1960; major producer of coffee and cocoa. Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority, with animist, atheist, and Roman Catholic minorities. Currency: franc. Capital: Yamoussoukro (administrative); Abidjan (legislative). Pop.: 16 393 000 (2001 est.). Area: 319 820 sq. km (123 483 sq. miles) Former name (until 1986) the Ivory Coast
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