Cote d’Ivoire Facts for Kids

One of the most interesting things to learn about is the many wonderful places in the world. Every place on earth is entirely unique in every aspect. Different climates, different geography, different cultures. Each climate provides different weather and wildlife. Different cultures have different religions and different languages.

Also, the geography in different parts of the world is vastly different; some places have mountains and lakes, some have deserts with little water and few trees or plants. There are some places that remain frozen all of the time and places that constantly have temperatures over one hundred degrees fahrenheit (100F). The world is a very diverse place. One incredibly fascinating place in the world is Cote d’Ivoire, here you will find an entire list of of amazing facts about this place.

Cote d’Ivoire is more commonly called the Ivory Coast in English speaking parts of the world.
Cote d’Ivoire is the French name and means, quite literally Coast of Ivory.
Until the year 1960, Cote d’Ivoire was a French Colony.
This area gained its independence from France in 1960.
Cote d’Ivoire was very peaceful until it fell into civil war in 2002. An agreement was finally reached between the rebels and the government and peace was restored.
Cote d’Ivoire is located in West Africa.
Cote d’Ivoire is famous for its chocolate, it produces more cocoa than anywhere else in the entire world. Other popular crops include pineapples, bananas, cotton, coffee, and palm oil.
The official language of Cote d’Ivoire is French. Several local languages are still common as well, this includes Anyin, Dioula, Dan, and Baoule.
The most common religions in Cote d’Ivoire are Christianity, Muslim, and several native religions.
There is only a forty-seven percent (47%) literacy rate among adults in Cote d’Ivoire. While this is not the lowest percentage of any country, it is on the low side.
The capital city of Côte d’Ivoire is Yamoussoukro. Once upon a time the capital city was Abidjan which is the largest city in Côte d’Ivoire.
Cote d’Ivoire has a population of approximately twenty point two (20.2) million people.
The land area of Cote d’Ivoire spans one hundred twenty-four thousand five hundred and two (124,502) square miles.
The Tai National Park in Cote d’Ivoire is home to the pygmy hippopotamus. This park area is one of the last remaining virgin rainforests in all of West Africa. Some trees in this rainforest considered huge by the standards set in the rest of the world. These trees often grow up to fifty (50) meters high with gigantic trunks and roots.
There is a colossal cathedral in Cote d’Ivoire called Notre Dame de la Paix. It is filled with spectacular African art and motives. The cathedral can hold upto eighteen thousand (18,000) people.
Cote d’Ivoire was the first non-English speaking country to win an Academy Award. The winning film was entitled Black and White in Color.
Cote d’Ivoire is home to a legless lizard called Cynisca rouxbe or Worm lizard.
Originally, Cote d’Ivoire was made up of several isolated settlements. Now, however, it is home to over sixty (60) distinct tribes. This includes the Dan, Bete, Malinke, Lobi, and Senoufou tribes.
Cote d’Ivoire first participated in the Miss Universe Pageant in July of the 1986. This pageant took place in Panama city and the name of the contestant was Marie Francoise Koume.
Popular instruments in Cote d’Ivoire include Akombe, cleavers, Shekere, djembe, Kpalgo, and the talking drum. The instruments are generally made from animal skins, horns, and gourds.
Cote d’Ivoire has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since the 1960’s.
Cote d’Ivoire is home to what may be the smallest spider in the world. This is the symphytognathid spider Anapistula Caecula.

The country of Cote d’Ivoire is an incredibly amazing and fascinating place. There is so much history surrounding the area, and so much more to learn. It is rich with animals and insects of all kinds, some of which are quite rare. It is enormously important to learn about the different cultures, climates, and geographical areas throughout the world. Every place in the world is a vital part of history. Hopefully, you have learned some new and interesting facts about Cote d’Ivoire by reading this.