Akwaba! Welcome to the world’s leading producer of cocoa—Ivory Coast (officially Côte d’Ivoire), a vibrant nation on the southern coast of West Africa known for its French influence and economic power. There are around 31 million people living here, and the political capital is Yamoussoukro, while the largest city and economic heart is the coastal metropolis of Abidjan, often called the “Paris of West Africa.” The official language is French, alongside over 60 indigenous languages like Baoulé and Dioula.

Ivory Coast covers about 322,463 square kilometers (124,504 square miles). This means the country is roughly the same size as the state of New Mexico in the U.S., or about the same size as Norway in Europe.

The most popular sport is Football, and the national team, the “Elephants,” is a powerhouse in African soccer, famously led for years by legend Didier Drogba. Their national animal is the African Elephant, which also gives the country its name.

The flag consists of three vertical stripes of orange, white, and green, where the orange represents the savannah grasslands of the north, the white symbolizes peace and unity, and the green stands for the hope and the lush forests of the south.

The food is diverse and incredibly flavorful. You must try Attiéké, which is grated cassava with a texture similar to couscous, often served with grilled fish and spicy onions. Another favorite is Alloco, fried plantains that are a popular street food snack, and Kedjenou, a spicy chicken stew slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot. Because Ivory Coast is the world’s top producer of Cocoa, you will also find some of the finest chocolate being crafted right at the source.

Ivory Coast is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, which is officially the largest church in the world, even surpassing St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. For nature lovers, the Taï National Park is one of the last remnants of the primary tropical rainforest in West Africa and is home to pygmy hippos and tool-using chimpanzees. In Abidjan, you can see the St. Paul’s Cathedral, a striking piece of modern architecture, or relax at the beach resort of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with colonial-era buildings. The country is also famous for its Masked Dances and traditional weaving, particularly the beautiful Kita cloth.

From the skyscrapers of Abidjan to the mist-covered peaks of the Man Mountains, Ivory Coast is a land of rapid growth and deep cultural tradition. Merci! That means “Thank you!”