Where is Cote D’Ivoire?

Most of us might not have a clue about Cote D’Ivoire. But we all know Ivory Coast – world’s largest cocoa producer. Cote D’Ivoire is the official name of Ivory Coast and the nation has qualified for Fifa World Cup 2006. The cocoa for the chocolates we eat comes from this nation.

Ivory Coast is located in Western Africa. It is bordered by Mali and Burkina Faso in the north, Ghana in the east, Liberia and Guinea in the west and by Gulf of Guinea in the south. The country was under French control before its independence on August 7, 1960. This is the reason for the French connection in the official name. Like other African nations, Ivory Coast also had its share of civil wars and internal strives.

The nation has a population of more than 10 million. French is the important language. The currency is CFA Franc. One dollar is around 525 CFA Franc. The nation is rich in coffee, timber, sugar, cotton, bananas and pineapples. Cote D’Ivoire is also famous for diamonds.

In the Fifa World Cup 2006, Ivory Coast is in Group C, which is one of the toughest groups which include Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia/Montenegro. Hope they creates some upsets in the Fifa 2006.