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#CARD:Cote d'Ivoire:Background Notes
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE BACKGROUND NOTES:  COTE
D'IVOIRE
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April 1990
Official Name:  Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
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PROFILE
GEOGRAPHY
    Cote d'Ivoire is located on the south side of the West African bulge.
Its 550-kilometer (340-mi.) coastline on the Gulf of Guinea has heavy
surf and no natural harbors.  A series of coastal lagoons fringes the
southeast.  The nation's capital was legally changed to Yamoussoukro
in 1983, although the seat of government remains in Abidjan.
    Abidjan is the commercial and population center of the country and
also is the terminus of the 1,150-kilometer (716-mi.) railway that
connects Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, with the Gulf of
Guinea.  Early 20th-century attempts to dig a canal through the sandbar
blocking the Ebrie lagoon from the sea were unsuccessful, but in 1950
the Vridi Canal, begun in 1936, was completed.  The canal opened the
Port of Abidjan to deep-draft vessels, and traffic increased by 50%
almost immediately.  A second deepwater port, San Pedro, was
dedicated in 1972.
    In the western half of the country, dense forest extends to the sea;
scrub savanna covers a narrow strip stretching from Fresco to the
Ghana frontier.  A lush tropical forest extends inland to a line about
halfway between Dimbokro and Bouake; significant cash crops-coffee,
cocoa, tropical woods, and bananas-are grown there.  North of the
forest lies an inland savanna zone of sandy soils, where vegetation is
sparse and the landscape unbroken.  Cotton is a key cash crop grown
here.  Only the Guinea Highlands in the northwest, which rise 1,460
meters (4,800 ft.) above sea level, break the monotony of the inland
plain.
    The southern part of  Cote d'Ivoire falls into the tropical zone, with
hot, humid weather and heavy rains.  Daily temperatures vary from a
minimum of 22 C (72 F) to a maximum of 32 C (91 F), and the heaviest
rains generally fall between mid-April and mid-July, with a shorter rainy
season in October and November.  As one moves north from the coast,
the weather gets drier and the climate grows more savanna-like.
Temperature differences become more extreme, with nighttime
temperatures in January dipping as low as 12 c (54 F) and daytime
temperatures in the summer rising to above 40 C (well into the
hundreds).
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PEOPLE
    Cote d'Ivoire's more than 60 ethnic groups usually are classified into
seven principal divisions-Akan, Krou, Lagoon, Nuclear Mande,
Peripheral Mande, Senoufo, and Lobi.  The Baoule, in the Akan
division, is probably the largest single subgroup, with perhaps 20% of
the overall population.  They live in the central region around Bouake.
The Bete, in the Krou division, and the Senoufo in the north are the
second and third largest groups, with roughly 18% and 15% of the
national population, respectively.  Most of the principal divisions have
centers in one of the neighboring countries.
    Of the more than 5 million non-Ivorian Africans living in Cote
d'Ivoire,  one-third to one-half are from Burkina Faso;  the rest are from
Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, and Mauritania.
A non-African expatriate community includes roughly 20,000 French
and at least 100,000 Lebanese.
    In 1960, 22% of school-aged children attended classes; in 1981,
76%.
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HISTORY
    The early history of Cote d'Ivoire is virtually unknown, although it is
thought that a neolithic culture existed there.  France made its initial
contact with Cote d'Ivoire in 1637, when missionaries landed at Assinie
near the Gold Coast (now Ghana) border.  Early contacts were limited
to a few missionaries because of the inhospitable coastline and settlers'
fear of the inhabitants.
    In the 18th century, the country was invaded by two related ethnic
groups-the Agnis, who occupied the southeast, and the Baoules, who
settled in the central section.  In 1843-44, Adm. Bouet-Williaumez
signed treaties with the kings of the Grand Bassam and Assinie regions,
placing their territories under a French protectorate.  French explorers,
missionaries, trading companies, and soldiers gradually extended the
area under French control inland from the lagoon region.  However,
pacification was not accomplished until 1915.
    French Period Cote d'Ivoire officially became a French colony in
1893.  Captain  Binger, who had explored the Gold Coast frontier, was
named the first governor.  He negotiated boundary treaties with Liberia
and the United Kingdom (for the Gold Coast) and later started the
campaign against Almany Samory, a Malinke chief, who waged war
against the French until 1898.
    From 1904 to 1958, Cote d'Ivoire was a constituent unit of the
Federation of French West Africa (now Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea,
Mali, Niger, Benin, Burkina, and Cote d'Ivoire).  It was a colony under
the Third French Republic and an overseas territory under the Fourth
Republic.  Until the period following World War II, governmental
affairs in French West Africa were administered from Paris through
governors general and territorial governors.  France's policy in West
Africa was reflected mainly in its philosophy of "association," meaning
that all Africans in Cote d'Ivoire were officially French "subjects"
without rights to representation in Africa or France.
    A harsh and racially conscious Vichy regime remained in control until
1943, when members of Gen.  Charles de Gaulle's provisional
government assumed control of all French West Africa.  The Brazzaville
conference in 1944, the first Constituent Assembly of the Fourth
Republic in 1946, and France's gratitude for African loyalty to Free
France during World War II, led to far-reaching governmental reforms
in 1946.  French citizenship was granted to all African "subjects," the
right to organize politically was recognized, and various forms of forced
labor were abolished.
    A turning point in relations with France was reached with the 1956
Overseas Reform Act (Loi Cadre), which transferred a number of
powers previously reserved for metropolitan administrators to elected
territorial governments in French West Africa and removed remaining
voting inequalities.

Independence
    In December 1958, Cote d'Ivoire became an autonomous republic
within the French community as a result of a referendum that brought
community status to all members of the old Federation of French West
Africa except Guinea, which had voted against association.  Cote
d'Ivoire became independent on August 7, 1960, and permitted its
community membership to lapse.
    Cote d'Ivoire's contemporary political history is closely associated
with the career of Felix Houphouet-Boigny, president of the republic
and leader of the Parti Democratique de la Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI).  He
was one of the founders of the Rassemblement Democratique Africain
(RDA), the leading preindependence interterritorial political party in
French West Africa.  The RDA established constituent units in all
French West African territories except Mauritania, as well as in the
Congo (Brazzaville), Chad, Gabon, and Cameroon.
    Houphouet-Boigny first came to national political prominence in 1944
as founder of the Syndicat Agricole Africain, an organization that won
improved labor conditions for African farmers and formed a nucleus for
the PDCI.  After World War II, he was elected by a narrow margin to
the first Constituent Assembly.  Representing Cote d'Ivoire in the
French National Assembly from 1946 to 1959, he devoted much of his
effort to interterritorial political organization and further amelioration of
labor conditions.  After his 13-year service in the French National
Assembly, including almost 3 years as a minister in the French
Government, he became Cote d'Ivoire's first prime minister in April
1959, and the following year was elected its first president.
    In May 1959, Houphouet-Boigny reinforced his position as a
dominant figure in West Africa by leading Cote d'Ivoire, Niger, Upper
Volta (Burkina), and Dahomey (Benin) into the Council of the Entente,
a regional organization promoting economic development.  (Togo joined
in 1966.) He has maintained that the only true road to African solidarity
is through step-by-step economic and political cooperation, recognizing
the principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other African
states.
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GOVERNMENT
    The constitution provides for a strong presidency within the
framework of a separation of powers.  The executive is personified in
the president, elected for a 5-year term by universal adult suffrage.  The
president is commander in chief of the armed forces, may negotiate and
ratify certain treaties, and may submit a bill to a national referendum or
to the National Assembly.  A 1985 constitutional amendment named the
president of the National Assembly acting head of state in the event of a
vacancy, and mandated that he oversee the holding of national elections
within 45-60 days to choose a new president.  The cabinet is selected by
and is responsible to the president.
    The unicameral National Assembly is composed of 175 members
elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term concurrently with
the president.  It passes on legislation introduced by its own members or
by the president.
    The judicial system culminates in a Supreme Court.  A High Court of
Justice is competent to try government officials for major offenses.
    For administrative purposes, Cote d'Ivoire is divided into 34
departments, each headed by a prefect appointed by the central
government.  There are 135 communes, each headed by a competitively
elected mayor.
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Principal Government Officials
President-Felix Houphouet-Boigny
Ministers of State - Auguste Denise, Mathieu Ekra, Emile Kei
Boguinard
Ministers-Delegate - Paul Gui Dibo, Guy Alain Gauze, Balla Reita
Other Ministers Defense-Jean Konan Banny
Foreign Affairs-Simeon Ake
Interior-Leon Konan Koffi
Economy and Finance-Moise Koumoue Koffi
Agriculture, Waters, and Forests-Vincent-Pierre Lokrou
Technical Education and Professional Training-Ange-Francois Barry
Battesti
Public Works, Transportation, Building and Urban Development-
Bamba Vamoussa
Justice, Keeper of the Seals-Noel Nemin Labor-Albert Vanie Bi Tra
Internal Security and the Struggle Against Drugs-Issouf Kone
Industry and Plan-Oumar Diarra
Public Health and Population-Frederic-Francois Alain Ekra
Women's Affairs-Hortense Aka-Anghui
Commerce-Nicolas Kouandi Angba
Civil Service-Jean-Jacques Bechio
Tourism-Jean-Claude Delafosse
Social Affairs, Youth, and Sports-Yaya Ouattara
National Education, Scientific Research & Culture-Alassane Salif
N'Diaye
Preschool and Primary Education-Odette Kouame N'Guessan Mines-
Yed Esaie Angoran
Posts and Telecommunications-Vincent Tioko Djedje
Animal Production-Christopher Gboho
Communication-Auguste Severin Miremont
Ambassador to the United States-Charles P. Gomis
Ambassador to the United Nations- Amara Essy

    Cote d'Ivoire maintains an embassy in the United States at 2424
Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C., 20008 (tel. 202-483-
2400).
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POLITICAL CONDITIONS
    Cote d'Ivoire has enjoyed relative political stability since
independence.  President Houphouet-Boigny, a moderate leader of
considerable stature in Africa, uses direct personal dialogue with
representatives of various segments of Ivorian society.   The PDCI, the
single ruling party, includes most elements of the country's political life
and serves as a forum for policy decisions and as an instrument for
ensuring the application of government policies.  More open discussion
of government policies has occurred since the country's first competitive
elections for legislative, municipal, and local party positions in 1980.
National elections have been held at regular 5-year intervals since
independence, and are next scheduled for 1990.
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ECONOMY
    Agriculture has been the keystone of Cote d'Ivoire's development
into one of Africa's most prosperous economies, with annual real
growth of nearly 7% from 1960 to 1980.  Cocoa, coffee, and tropical
woods were key products and, despite impressive diversification
efforts, accounted for 47% of 1988 export earnings.  To reduce
dependence on this limited range of export goods, the government has
encouraged production of bananas, palm oil, cotton, pineapples,
coconuts, rubber, and sugar; yields of cotton, sugar, and rubber have
increased significantly in recent years.  Self-sufficiency in foodstuffs is
another government objective.
    From 1981 through 1984, the economy contracted in real terms.
Over-ambitious state investment in the late 1970s, at a time of high
coffee and cocoa prices, was financed largely by external borrowing.
With a subsequent sharp decline in commodity prices, high interest
rates, adverse exchange-rate movements, and a 1982-83 drought, the
country faced a real financial crisis at the end of 1983.  Conditions for
what proved to be a transitory recovery were laid by a stringent austerity
program and ongoing structural adjustments in association with the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.  Record export
crops in 1985 spurred a return to real growth of about 5%, followed by
a 2%-3% increase in 1986.  The collapse of coffee and cocoa prices that
began in the latter half of 1986, however, plunged the economy into a
recession from which it has yet to emerge.  In late 1989, Cote d'Ivoire
embarked upon a new IMF adjustment program and a new World Bank
structural reform programs to be supported by substantial amounts of
bilateral assistance and official and commercial bank debt rescheduling.
    Rapid development of the industrial sector since independence has
been oriented toward import substitution, agricultural processing,
energy, and construction.  Half of manufacturing employment is in
agricultural processing.  The next largest category, employing about
17%, is the textile and apparel industry, largely utilizing domestically
grown cotton.
    Cote d'Ivoire joined the ranks of petroleum producers when an
ESSO-led consortium brought the offshore Belier field into production
in 1980.  In 1982, a Phillips-led consortium brought the larger Espoir
field into production.  However, production, which at one time met
most of the country's needs, fell off sharply in recent years, and the
Phillips wells have been capped.  However, ESSO is now undertaking
additional exploration of its existing field, and the government intends to
solicit bids both for the development of a known natural gas field and
for the exploration of new offshore fields during 1990.
    Reserves have proved smaller and more difficult to exploit than first
anticipated, and hopes of a sustained oil boom have faded in the face of
decreasing crude oil prices.  Cote d'Ivoire also has constructed a
regional oil refinery, SIR, which moved in 1985 from being a loss
center to generating some profits.  Non-oil mineral production is
negligible.  Limited amounts of diamonds and gold are produced
irregularly.  BHP Utah, a U.S. gold-mining firm, began exploration in
1987.  A large deposit of low-grade iron ore has been found near Man,
and a nationwide geological survey turned up deposits of nickel and
manganese.  As part of Cote d'Ivoire's efforts to reduce reliance on
cocoa, the Minister of Mines intends to encourage mining development
more aggressively in the future.
    Rapid economic development since 1950 was assisted by the opening
of the Vridi Canal, which made Abidjan a deepwater port, and the
Abidjan-Ouagadougou Railroad, which traverses the center of the
country.  Recent railroad operations have not been as successful, and
Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso agreed in March 1987 to form two
national companies.  A system of highways, most of which are paved,
now connects the major urban centers, many of which also are served
by the national airline, Air Ivoire.  Air Afrique and other African carriers
provide regular intracontinental service.  Intercontinental air service is
available several times daily between Abidjan and Paris; less frequent
direct flights connect Abidjan with Rome, Geneva, Zurich, Brussels,
London, Madrid, and New York.
    However, air service by carriers other than Air Afrique and UTA was
cut back substantially on November 1, 1989, as part of a French-
sponsored effort to "restructure" Air Afrique.  Tied into satellite
communications, direct dialing to Western Europe and North America
provides the business traveler and tourist with instant communications.
    After independence, Ivorian leaders decided to follow a policy of
economic liberalism, based on private enterprise.  That policy has been
maintained with increasing emphasis on Ivorian management and
participation of Ivorian capital in new enterprises.  The government
welcomes foreign private investment, and a number of foreign
enterprises, including several U.S. companies, have invested in Cote
d'Ivoire.  Although development objectives sometimes have resulted in
the creation of parastatal enterprises, as part of a reform program
underway since 1980, the government has taken measures to convert
some to private ownership and to ensure that the remaining companies
are run as self-sustaining enterprises.
    When Cote d'Ivoire became an overseas territory under the Fourth
French Republic, it benefited from the French overseas development
fund, the Investment Fund of Economic and Social Development.  The
country has continued to benefit from considerable French assistance
and also receives important aid from the European Community, the
World Bank, and other donors.
    Public organizations and private firms have found Abidjan well
situated as a headquarters for their regional activities.  Among those
located in the city are the West African office of the World Bank, the
African Development Bank, the multinational Air Afrique, and the
secretariat of the Council of the Entente.  Many foreign firms have
located there as well.  Although the French predominate, the spectrum
of OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
countries is represented, as are a number of developing countries.
About 56 U.S.  firms operate in Abidjan.  Aside from the manufacturers
and oil companies, there is one bank, six accounting firms, a law firm,
and many local and regional sales representatives.
    Cote d'Ivoire's currency is the CFA (Communaute Financiere
Africaine) franc issued by the Central Bank of West African States, the
central bank of the West African Monetary Union.  The CFA franc is
fully convertible with the French franc, at a fixed parity of 50
CFAF=1FF.  International payments are readily made.
    Cote d'Ivoire's traditionally favorable trade surplus has declined
substantially in recent years with the collapse of commodity prices.  As
a result, Cote d'Ivoire has been faced with a large current account
deficit.  This deficit is due largely to repatriation of earnings by foreign
enterprises, payments abroad by the large foreign population, and
especially interest and principal payments on the nation's large foreign
debt.

DEFENSE
    The small Ivorian Armed Forces comprise the army, navy, air force,
and gendarmerie and are meant primarily for external defense and
internal security.  The army, the largest of the organizations, has three
light infantry battalions, located in Abidjan, Bouake, and Daloa, and a
fourth battalion is being formed in Korhogo.  Each battalion falls within
one of the country's four military regions and is headquartered at one of
these four principal cities.  Specialized army units include a para-
commando company, an artillery batallion, and an engineer battalion.
    The army staff serves as the joint staff at Ivorian Armed Forces
Headquarters in Abidjan, with a major general acting as both the
commander of the army and as chief of staff.  Command of the various
military units stationed throughout Cote d'Ivoire is exercised through
the army military region commanders (all colonels), who command all
military forces, including air force and gendarmerie, within their
regions.
    The gendarmerie, the second largest military service, is a national
police force responsible for territorial security, especially in rural areas.
It is composed of a headquarters in Abidjan, commanded by a colonel,
and four gendarmerie legions that correspond to the four military
regions.  The Ivorian Air Force and Air Ivoire, the national airline,
function within a single organization.  The military/civil inventory
consists of 5 Alpha jets, 20 transport/utility aircraft, and 10 helicopters.
The Ivorian Navy, the smallest of the armed services, is equipped with
four patrol craft and one small landing ship.  The navy's primary
mission is patrolling the 530-kilometer (340-mi.) shoreline.  Counting
other paramilitary organizations, such as the Military Fire Department
and the Presidential Guard and Militia, the total strength of Ivorian
Armed Forces numbers about 15,000 personnel.  A mutual defense
accord signed with France in 1961 provides for stationing French forces
in Cote d'Ivoire, and a French Marine Infantry Battalion currently is
based near Abidjan.
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FOREIGN RELATIONS
    Cote d'Ivoire's foreign policy has been generally favorable toward
the West.  The country became a member of the United Nations in 1960
and participates in most of its specialized agencies.  It maintains a wide
variety of diplomatic contacts, and, in 1986, announced the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Israel and the Soviet Union,
two countries with whom Cote d'Ivoire had broken or suspended
formal diplomatic ties several years earlier.
    The Houphouet-Boigny government has favored a step-by-step
approach to the question of African unity rather than broad proposals for
early continental union.  Cote d'Ivoire is a member of the Organization
of African Unity and maintains close ties with its French-speaking
neighbors in the Council of the Entente.  The Entente countries continue
to cooperate closely, harmonizing their economic policies and promoting
regional economic development.  The dean of sub-Saharan chiefs of
state, Houphouet-Boigny wields considerable influence among his
fellow leaders in West Africa.
    Since 1970, the president has called for a dialogue between black
Africa and South Africa.  He believes that black Africa will not succeed
in changing South African policies through the use of force, whereas it
may be possible to change South African attitudes through meaningful
dialogue.  This position has met with a better reception from other
African states after the recent election of de Klerk and his release of
Nelson Mandela and other ANC prisoners.
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U.S.-IVORIAN RELATIONS
    U.S.-Ivorian relations are friendly and close.  The United States is
sympathetic to Cote d'Ivoire's program of rapid, orderly economic
development as well as its moderate stance on international issues.
    Bilateral U.S.  Agency for International Development (AID) funding,
with the exception of self-help funds, has been phased out and replaced
by regional AID projects, such as training, energy initiatives, child
survival and vaccination programs, and housing loan guarantees.
    The United States and Cote d'Ivoire maintain an active cultural
exchange program, through which prominent Ivorian Government
officials, media representatives, educators, and scholars visit the United
States to become better acquainted with the American people and to
exchange ideas and views with their American colleagues.  This
cooperative effort is furthered through frequent visits to Cote d'Ivoire
by representatives of U.S.  business and educational institutions, and by
visits of Fulbright-Hays scholars and specialists in various fields.
    A modest security assistance program provides professional training
for Ivorian military officers in the United States.
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Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador-Kenneth L.  Brown
Deputy Chief of Mission-Hugh G. Hamilton, Jr.
Administrative Counselor-Elaine B. Schunter
Economic Officer-Janice Price
Political Officer-Thomas Price
Defense Attache-Col. Jerry R. Fry
Commercial Officer-Gene Harris
Consular Affairs Officer-Vincent J. Rizzo
Director, AID Regional Development -Arthur M. Fell
Director, AID Regional Housing and Urban Development-Stephen W.
Giddings
Public Affairs Officer-Robert Petersen
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    The U.S. Embassy is located at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan, Cote
d'Ivoire (tel.  21-09-79; telex, 23660; telefax, 22-32-59); mailing
address is 01 B.P. 1712, Abidjan 01, Cote d'Ivoire.
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Further Information
    These titles are provided as a general indication of the material
published on this country.  The Department of State does not endorse
unofficial publications.
    Allen, Philip M., and Aaron Segal.  The Traveler's Africa. New
York:  Hopkinson & Blake, 1973.
    Cohen, Michael A.  Urban Policy and Political Conflict in Africa: A
Study of the Ivory Coast.  Chicago:  University of Chicago Press,
1974.
    Foster, Philip, and Aristide R.  Zolberg.  Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Chicago:  University of Chicago Press, 1971.
    Guyer, David.  Ghana and the Ivory Coast:  The Impact of
Colonialism in an African Setting.  New York:  Exposition Press, 1970.
    International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Ivory Coast,
the Challenge of Success:  A Mission Sent to the Ivory Coast by the
World Bank.  Baltimore:  Johns Hopkins University Press, 1978.
    The Ivorian Market.  Special issue in English, Sept.  30, 1977, No.
1664.  Paris:  Marches Tropicaux et Mediterraneens.
    Morgenthau, Ruth. Political Parties in French-Speaking West Africa.
New York:  Oxford University Press, 1964.
    Priovolos, Theophilos.  Coffee and the Ivory Coast:  An Economic
Study.  Lexington, Mass.:  Lexington Books, 1981.
    Thompson, Virginia.  West Africa's Council of the Entente.  Ithaca:
Cornell University Press, 1972.
    Wallerstein, Immanual M.  The Road to Independence:  Ghana and
the Ivory Coast.  Paris:  Mouton, 1964.
    Weiskel, Timothy C.  French Colonial Rule and the Baule Peoples:
Resistence and Collaboration, 1889-1911.  Oxford:  Oxford University
Press, 1980.
    Woronoff, Jean.  West African Wager:  Houphouet Versus
Nkrumah.  Metuchen, N.J.:  Scarecrow Press, 1972.
    Zartman, I.  William and Delgado, Christopher.  The Political
Economy of Ivory Coast.  New York:  Praeger, 1984.
    Zolberg, Aristide R.  One-Party Government in the Ivory Coast.
Rev. Ed.  Princeton:  Princeton University Press, 1974.
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Travel Notes
    Clothing:  Summer clothing is appropriate year round.  Umbrellas
and light raincoats are useful during the rainy season.
    Customs:  Visas are required for entry to Cote d'Ivoire and
neighboring West African countries.  Airport visas are not available.  If
no Ivorian representation exists in the country where the visa is sought,
it may be applied for at a French embassy or consulate.
    Yellow fever vaccination is required.  Ivorian officials abroad
generally verify that immunizations have been obtained before issuing
an entry visa.  Since immunization requirements may change, it is
prudent to check the latest information before traveling.
    Health:  The incidence of disease in Cote d'Ivoire is higher than in the
United States.  Health risks can be minimized by proper immunizations,
food preparation, and strict sanitary practices.  Tapwater is not potable.
Malaria prophylaxis is a must and should be taken before and during a
visit to Cote d'Ivoire.
    Telecommunications:  Local phone service is adequate.  International
calls can be dialed directly to the United States  and many other
countries.  It is sometimes easier to make an international call than to
reach local or in-country numbers.  Cote d'Ivoire is 5 hours ahead of
eastern standard time.
    Transportation:  Air Afrique has two flights per week direct from
New York to Abidjan.  European carriers provide once-weekly flights
as follows:   British Air, London/Abidjan; Iberia, Madrid/Abidjan;
Swiss Air, Zurich/Geneva/Abidjan; Sabena, Brussels/Abidjan.  In
addition, Air Afrique and UTA provide daily service from Paris to
Abidjan.  Air Ivoire serves the country's principle cities, and small
planes are available for charter.  Air fares are expensive.  Daily railroad
passenger service is available between Abidjan and Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso.  Most Abidjan roads are paved.  An excellent network of
roads links virtually all major towns.  All unpaved roads are dusty
during the dry season and slippery during the rainy season.  Four-wheel
drive vehicles are essential for trips into the more isolated areas.  Third-
party liability insurance is mandatory.  Metered taxis, whose fares are
relatively low, and rental cars, which are expensive, are available.

    Published by the United States Department of State --  Bureau of
Public Affairs  - -Office of Public Communication --  Washington, D.C.
-- April 1990 -- Editor:  Juanita Adams.  Department of State Publication
8119 --Background Notes Series  -- This material is in the public
domain and may  be reprinted without permission; citation of this source
is appreciated. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.  20402. (###)
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