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US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
BACKGROUND NOTES:  COTE D'IVOIRE

Official Name:  Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

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).


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%.


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.


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.


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).


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.


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.

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.


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.


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

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.


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.


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.