Travellers are currently advised against all non-essential travel to government-controlled areas of Côte d’Ivoire, and all travel to rebel-controlled areas. For further advice, they should contact their local government travel advice department.

Côte d’Ivoire borders Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. The southern and western parts of the country feature undulating countryside rising to meet the savannah plains of the north and the mountainous western border. Major rivers flow into a series of lagoons. Abidjan, the former capital and largest city, is dominated by the Plateau, the central commercial district. The older, more traditional heart of the city is Treichville, home of many bars, restaurants and nightclubs as well as the colourful central market. In the west of the country is the attractive town of Man, situated in a region of forested mountains and plateaux. The nearby waterfalls are very popular tourist excursions. The administrative capital is Yamoussoukro, about 230km (143 miles) north of Abidjan. The town has a lively market and an international-standard golf course. Traditional dishes are kedjenou (chicken cooked with different vegetables and sealed in banana leaves) and attieké (cassava dish). For nightlife, Abidjan is the liveliest area with its hotels and lagoon-side tourist resorts.

West African coast.

GMT

322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles).

17.1 million (2005).

53 per sq km.

Yamoussoukro (administrative and political capital since 1983). Population: 110,000 (2005). Abidjan (economic capital). Population: 3 million (2005).

Côte d’Ivoire shares borders with Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. There are 600km (370 miles) of coast on the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). The southern and western parts of the country are forested, with undulating countryside rising to meet the savannah plains of the north and the mountainous western border. Three rivers, the Sassandra, the Bandama and the Comoé, run directly north–south and, on their approach to the coast, flow into a series of lagoons. Birdlife is plentiful throughout the country, but particularly so near the coast.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. In 1999, the army took power and installed a National Council for Public Salvation. Head of State: President Laurent Gbagbo since 2000. Head of Government: Interim Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny since December 2005. Recent history: Political tensions are on the rise following the postponement of Presidential elections scheduled for 30 October 2005. Mr Gbagbo has invoked a law to stay in office even though his five-year term was set to end in October. The African Union recommended that Mr Gbagbo should stay in power for a further 12 months, but urged him to appoint a prime minister - acceptable to all parties - with executive powers. A historian by profession, Laurent Gbagbo is a former trade union activist who, since the 1980s, has taken a strongly nationalist stance, espousing the concept of pure Ivorian parentage. There have been an increasing number of rallies in Côte D'Ivoire calling for an end to Gbagbo's mandate. Elections are now scheduled within the next 12 months. In December 2005, the South African and Nigerian Presidents - entrusted by the UN to try to solve the Côte d'Ivoire crisis - chose Charles Konan Banny as interim Prime Minister for the transition period, which will end in October 2006. This followed wide consultations with Ivorian political parties.

The official language is French. The main African languages are Yacouba, Senoufo, Baoulé, Betie, Attie, Agni and Dioula (the market language).

34 per cent Christian, 27 per cent Muslim, 15 per cent traditional beliefs. It is important to note, however, that these percentages are based on census results in 1998, of which some Muslim foreign workers may have been excluded - therefore, the Muslim percentage may be higher than is indicated here.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard.

One of the most striking features of Côte d’Ivoire, distinguishing it from many other African countries, is the extreme ethnic and linguistic variety. The size of each of the 60 groups – which include the Akar, Kron, Nzima, Hone, Voltaic and Malinke peoples – varies widely and the area they occupy may cover a whole region. With very few exceptions every Ivoirian has a mother tongue which is that of the village, along with traditions, family and social relations within their ethnic group. French has become the official language of schools, cities and government and therefore has an influence on lifestyle even at a modest level. Handshaking is normal. Tropical lightweight clothes are essential, a light raincoat in the rainy season and a hat for the sun. Casual wear is widely acceptable but beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Dress tends to err on conservative - men wearing long trousers and women wearing knee-length or longer skirts, dresses and trousers. Ties need only be worn for formal occasions. Small tokens of appreciation, a souvenir from home or a business gift with the company logo are always welcome. Normal courtesies should be observed and it is considered polite to arrive punctually for social occasions. There are no restrictions on smoking. Snakes are regarded as sacred by some ethnic groups.