Nigeria, Oct. 25 -- The Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast, is a West African nation along the Gulf of Guinea.

Bordered by Guinea and Liberia to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the country occupies a land area of approximately 322,463 square kilometres.

Its political capital is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan serves as the economic capital and largest city. Cote d'Ivoire gained independence from France on August 7, 1960, and has since maintained French as its official language.

However, over 70 local languages are widely spoken, including Baoule, Dioula, Dan, Anyin, and Cebaara Senufo. The country's population is estimated at 26.3 million, with ...