République de Côte-d'Ivoire

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Prior to any colonization by Europeans, the Ivory Coast territory was home to several kingdoms. This included the Kong Empire and as well as two Anyi empires. The Anyi kingdom was in control of the area when French soldiers took over during the scramble to occupy Africa in the middle of the 19th century. it was not until 1960 that the Ivory Coast became independent once again.

The Ivory Coast is located in West Africa bordering Mali, Burkina-Faso, Liberia, Guinea, and Ghana. It currently resides with a population around 20,000,000. The official language is French although many other are used including Anyin, Dan, Bauole, and Dioula. The main religions are Islam and Christianity. The political capital is Yammousakkoro, but its largest most economically powerful city is the port city of Abidjan. Abidjan and the rest of the Ivory Coast had a powerful cocoa industry in the 1960's and 70's, but stopped abruptly due to a 1980's crisis. The modern Ivory Coast economy relies on smallholder cash crop production.

The current president is Alassane Ouattara and the Prime Minister is Guillaume Soro. Ouattara's recently just got elected president in 2010 after previously holding the Prime Ministers position. This election led to a civil war in the Ivory Coast, something very familiar to the country over the past few decades. These recent civil wars (2011 and 2002) is what makes the Ivory Coast a very interesting and relevant country in today's world. The Ivory Coast is constantly trying to find a stable political plan and a way to escape the tight economy. 


My decision to choose the Ivory Coast fell on the country's most famous soccer star, Didier Drogba. Drogba, a national hero, is easily one of my personal favorites on the pitch. Drogba is also an amazing provider for the people of Ivory Coast. in 2007 he created the Didier Drogba Foundation that aims to provide support in health and education. He also recently held his first Charity Ball for the foundation which helped provide funds for a new hospital in Abidjan. 

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