Ivory Coast: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Ivory Coast

Download the flag of Ivory Coast as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇨🇮.

History of Ivory Coast

The area of present-day Ivory Coast was home to a variety of peoples and to states such as the Gyaman and the Kong, which were linked to trans-Saharan and regional trade. European traders visited the coast from the 15th century, and France established a presence in the 19th century, making the territory a colony in 1893. It later became part of French West Africa. Independence came in 1960 under Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who led the country for over three decades. A coup in 1999 and civil conflict from 2002 followed, and a further crisis occurred in 2010 and 2011. Yamoussoukro is the political capital.

Key dates

1. 1893France establishes Cote d'Ivoire as a colony.
2. 1904The colony becomes part of French West Africa.
3. 1958Cote d'Ivoire becomes an autonomous republic within the French Community.
4. 1960Independence is declared on 7 August, with Houphouet-Boigny as first president.
5. 1983Yamoussoukro is designated the political capital.
6. 1999A military coup removes President Henri Konan Bedie.
7. 2002A rebellion leads to civil conflict and a division of the country.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast uses the West African CFA franc (XOF, Fr). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Ivory Coast

Burkina FasoOuagadougouGhanaAccraGuineaConakryLiberiaMonroviaMaliBamako

More countries in Western Africa

BeninPorto-NovoBurkina FasoOuagadougouCape VerdePraiaGambiaBanjulGhanaAccraGuineaConakryGuinea-BissauBissauLiberiaMonrovia