Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states. Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however, sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE.

PEOPLE
Cote d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups, usually classified into five principal divisions: Akan (east and center, including Lagoon peoples of the southeast), Krou (southwest), Southern Mande (west), Northern Mande (northwest), Senoufo/Lobi (north center and northeast). The Baoules, in the Akan division, probably comprise the largest-single subgroup with 15-20% of the population. They are based in the central region around Bouake and Yamoussoukro. The Betes in the Krou division, the Senoufos in the north, and the Malinkes in the northwest and the cities are the next largest groups, with 10-15% each of the national population. Most of the principal divisions have a significant presence in neighboring countries.

HISTORY
The early history of Cote d'Ivoire is virtually unknown, although it is thought that a Neolithic culture existed. France made its initial contact with Cote d'Ivoire in 1637, when missionaries landed at Assignee 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.

ECONOMY
The Ivoirian economy is largely market-based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Between 60% and 70% of the Ivoirian people are engaged in some form of agricultural activity. The economy performed poorly in the 1980s and early 1990s, and high population growth coupled with economic decline resulted in a steady fall in living standards. Gross national product per capita was $727 in 1996 but had fallen to $669 by 2003. (It was substantially higher two decades ago.)

Full country name: Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
Area: 322,000 sq km
Population: 16.8 million
People: Akan (including Baoulé and Agni), Kru (Yacouba, or Dan, primarily), Senoufo, Mandé, Lebanese and French.
Language: French,
Religion: Traditional religions (65%), Muslim (23%), Christian, mostly Protestant (12%)
Government: republic
Head of State: President Laurent GbagboGDP: US$24.2 billion
GDP per capita: US$1,640
Annual Growth: 6%
Inflation: 3%
Major Industries: Cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, palm oil, fish, cotton
Major Trading Partners: France, Germany, Netherlands, Burkina Faso