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General Information Area: 322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles). Population: 16,393,221 (official estimate 2001). Population Density: 50.8 per sq km. Capital: Yamoussoukro (administrative and political capital since 1983). Population: 531,600 (official estimate 2000). Abidjan (former capital). Population: 3,894,300 (official estimate 2000). GEOGRAPHY: 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. Government: 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 Gbago since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Seydou Diarra since 2003. Language: The official language is French. The main African languages are Yacouba, Senoufo, Baoulé, Betie, Attie, Agni and Dioula (the market language). Religion: 39 per cent Muslim, 26 per cent Christian, 17 per cent traditional beliefs. Time: GMT. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard. Communications:  International telecommunications are available in major towns/centres. Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 225. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network. Network operators include Orange Côte D’Ivoire (website: www.ivoiris.ci) and Loteny Telecom (website: www.telecel.net). Internet ISPs include Aviso, Africa On Line and Globeaccess. Public access is available at Internet cafes in Abidjan. Fax Facilities are available at some major hotels, but are not yet widespread. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1430-1800. Press All newspapers are in French. The main dailies include Fraternité Matin, Ivoir Soir and Le Jour. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.83 15.40 11.77 7.160 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.