noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian

Ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes
16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000
Lebanese and 20,000 French) (1998)

Religions: Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001)
note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%)
and Christian (20%)

Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most
widely spoken

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 48.5% male: 57% female: 40%

Government Cote d'Ivoire

Country name: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire conventional short form:
long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime established
1960

Capital: Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official
capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US,
like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan

Administrative divisions: 58 departments (departements, singular -
departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adiake, Adzope, Agboville,
Agnibilekrou, Alepe, Bocanda, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou,
Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Dabou, Daloa,
Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa,
Grand-Bassam, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Jacqueville, Katiola, Korhogo,
Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro,
Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tiebissou, Tingrela,
Tiassale, Touba, Toulepleu, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula

Independence: 7 August (1960) (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 7 August (1960)

Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last
time 27 July 1998

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Laurent GBAGBO (since 26
October 2000); note - took power following a popular overthrow of the
interim leader Gen. Robert GUEI who had claimed a dubious victory
in presidential elections; Gen. GUEI himself had assumed power on 25
December 1999, following a military coup against the government of
former President Henri Konan BEDIE head of government: Prime Minister
and Minister of Plan