Freeway along the Ébrié Lagoon near the Plateau, Abidjan's business district and centre of the city.

Abidjan is the largest city and former capital of Côte d'Ivoire. It is the commercial and banking center of Côte d'Ivoire as well as the de facto capital. (Yamoussoukro is the official capital.) It stands in Ébrié Lagoon on several converging peninsulas and islands, connected by bridges. There are an estimated 4 to 5 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area.^{[citation needed]} The city is a study in contrasts. On one hand the city is hot and humid, congested and full of street hawkers. On the other hand, Abidjan is referred to as the "Paris of West Africa" because of its parks, broad boulevards, universities, exotic fashions and museums. Neighborhoods include Cocody, an upscale residential area located east of the modern business district, and Treichville, located southward on Petit-Bassam Island, with its busy traditional market. Banco National Park lies north of the city. Abidjan harbors numerous government departments. It is also the hub of the national road system and the terminus of the Abidjan-Niger Railway, which extends northward into Burkina Faso. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (819 × 614 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Centre-ville dAbidjan au bord de la lagune Ebrié File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (819 × 614 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Centre-ville dAbidjan au bord de la lagune Ebrié File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... The Ébrié Lagoon lies in Côte dIvoire, separated for most of its length from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow coastal strip. ... In politics, a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has a second meaning based on an alternative sense of capital) is the principal city or town associated with a countrys government. ... BRD-SG in IaÅŸi - A small branch dedicated to retail services For other uses, see Bank (disambiguation). ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Ébrié Lagoon lies in Côte dIvoire, separated for most of its length from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow coastal strip. ... A peninsula in Croatia A peninsula (from the latin words paene insula, almost island) is a geographical landform consisting of an extension of a body of land from a larger body of land, surrounded by water on three sides. ... A log bridge in the French Alps near Vallorcine. ... An Australian park A park is any of a number of geographic features. ... Representation of a university class, 1350s. ... The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. ... Cocody, a suburb of Abidjan, is the one of the wealthiest areas of Africa, marked by its abundance of mansions. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Because of the Ivorian Civil War, insecurity in Abidjan has risen, with some riots targeting foreigners as well as a sharp increase in criminality. Once one of the wealthiest and most peaceful cities in Africa, Abidjan is now considered one of the most dangerous cities on the continent. A French Army VAB armored vehicle patrolling in Côte dIvoire. ...

Administration

Before 2002

Before 2002, there existed a City of Abidjan (Ville d'Abidjan). The city of Abidjan was subdivided into ten communes, with each their municipal council and their mayor. Above the 10 communes was the central city hall, with a city-wide mayor (maire d'Abidjan), often colloquially called "super-maire". A commune is an administrative subdivision of various European and African countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Senegal, and the Scandinavian countries. ...

The city of Abidjan was inside the département of Abidjan. This département was made up of the city of Abidjan, plus three subprefectures outside of the city of Abidjan. The département of Abidjan was itself inside the Lagunes région. Côte dIvoire is divided into 58 departments (french: départements): See also Regions of Côte dIvoire Politics of Côte dIvoire Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Côte dIvoire | Departments of Côte dIvoire ... Subprefecture is an administrative level that is below prefecture or province. ... Lagunes is one of the 19 regions of Côte dIvoire. ... Côte dIvoire is divided into 19 regions (french: régions): Agnéby Bafing Bas-Sassandra Denguélé Dix-Huit Montagnes Fromager Haut-Sassandra Lacs Lagunes Marahoué Moyen-Cavally Moyen-Comoé Nzi-Comoé Savanes Sud-Bandama Sud-Comoé Vallée du Bandama Worodougou Zanzan The regions are further...

Since 2002

In August 2001, the government of Ivory Coast disbanded the City of Abidjan. Instead, the ten communes of Abidjan were merged with the three subprefectures beyond the City of Abidjan to create the District of Abidjan (District d'Abidjan), whose limits match those of the département of Abidjan. The new District of Abidjan (2,119 km²/818 sq. miles) is thus much larger than the former City of Abidjan (422 km²/163 sq. miles). The reform was implemented in 2002, with local elections taking place that year.

The district of Abidjan is made up of the following subdivisions:

• Abidjan Ville (422 km²/163 sq. miles): the territory of the former City of Abidjan, made up of ten autonomous communes, with each their mayor and their municipal council. These ten communes are: Abobo, Adjamé, Attécoubé, Cocody (the wealthiest commune of Abidjan), Koumassi, Marcory, Plateau (the business district and central government area), Port-Bouët, Treichville, and Yopougon (the largest and most populous commune).
• outside of Abidjan Ville: three subprefectures (1,697 km²/655 sq. miles): Anyama, Bingerville, and Songon. Within the three subprefectures are found the communes of Anyama, Bingerville, and Songon, with their own municipal administrations, as well as rural areas.

It should be noted that the distinction between Abidjan Ville and areas outside of Abidjan Ville is purely statistical, much like the distinction between Inner London and Outer London. The administration of the district is unified, covering both Abdijan Ville and areas outside of Abidjan Ville. A commune is an administrative subdivision of various European and African countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Senegal, and the Scandinavian countries. ... Cocody, a suburb of Abidjan, is the one of the wealthiest areas of Africa, marked by its abundance of mansions. ... Subprefecture is an administrative level that is below prefecture or province. ... Bingerville is a city in south eastern Côte dIvoire, lying on the Ébrié Lagoon. ... Inner London is the name for the group of London boroughs which form the central part of Greater London and are surrounded by Outer London. ... Outer London is the name for the group of London Boroughs that do not form part of Inner London, but form a ring around it. ...

Executive power is in the hands of the District Governor (Gouverneur du District), appointed by the president of Ivory Coast. The governor serves a 5-year term. The governor of the district of Abidjan is the de facto mayor of Abidjan, and is often presented as such in international context.

Legislative power is in the hands of the District Council (Conseil du District). The District Council is made up of 78 members, who serve a 5-year term. One-third of the members are chosen by the municipal councils of the communes making up the district of Abidjan. Two-third of the members are directly elected every five years by the Ivorian citizens living in the District of Abidjan.

The District of Abidjan is inside the Lagunes région, which is made up of the District of Abidjan plus five départements. Lagunes is one of the 19 regions of Côte dIvoire. ... Côte dIvoire is divided into 19 regions (french: régions): Agnéby Bafing Bas-Sassandra Denguélé Dix-Huit Montagnes Fromager Haut-Sassandra Lacs Lagunes Marahoué Moyen-Cavally Moyen-Comoé Nzi-Comoé Savanes Sud-Bandama Sud-Comoé Vallée du Bandama Worodougou Zanzan The regions are further... Côte dIvoire is divided into 58 departments (french: départements): See also Regions of Côte dIvoire Politics of Côte dIvoire Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Côte dIvoire | Departments of Côte dIvoire ...

Geography and neighbourhoods

Abidjan lies on the Ébrié Lagoon. The business district, the Plateau, is the centre of the city. It lies with Cocody, Deux Plateaux (the richest neighbourhood with mansions, typically inhabited by diplomats and the wealthy) and the slum area of Adjamé on the north shore of the lagoon, while Treichville and Marcory (also poor areas) lie to the south, Abobo-Doume and Yopougon to the west and Boulay Island in the middle of the lagoon. Further south lies Port Bouët, home to the airport and main seaport. Abidjan is located at 5°25' North, 4°2' West (5.41667, -4.03333). [1] The Ébrié Lagoon lies in Côte dIvoire, separated for most of its length from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow coastal strip. ... Cocody, a suburb of Abidjan, is the one of the wealthiest areas of Africa, marked by its abundance of mansions. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows his find. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Port. ...

History

The city grew after the construction of a new wharf in 1931 and its designation as the capital of the then French colony in 1933. The completion of the Vridi Canal in 1951 enabled it to become an important sea port. In 1983, Yamoussoukro was designated as the nation's capital, but most government offices and foreign embassies remained in Abidjan. Metung Wharf on Bancroft Bay, Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia A wharf is a fixed platform, commonly on pilings, roughly parallel to and alongside navigable water, where ships are loaded and unloaded. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Categories: Stub | Commercial item transport and distribution | Transportation ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one nation state present in another nation state to represent the sending state in the receiving State. ...

Places of interest

The University of Abidjan, technical colleges, and the national library and museum are in the city. United States Library of Congress, Jefferson building A national library is a library specifically established by the government of a nation to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country. ... A national museum is a museum maintained by a nation. ...

Sights in Abidjan include St Paul's Cathedral, designed by Aldo Spiritom, the Cocody Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art and the Parc du Banco rainforest reserve. Le Plateau is known for its skyscrapers, unusual in West Africa. It is the business centre of Abidjan. With its chic boutiques and outdoor cafes, le Plateau is a favourite place of business travellers. There are many different banks located in the le Plateau district. There was an infamous theif called Saurabh Patel who used to live in Shalin bunglows, Ahmedabad, now has a house in Abidjan. He is usually roaming around naked on the roads. The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ...

Industry

Major industries include food processing, lumber, automobile manufacturing, and the manufacture of textiles, chemicals, and soap. There is also a large oil refinery. Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food for consumption by humans or animals. ... Timber in storage for later processing at a sawmill Lumber or Timber is a term used to describe wood, either standing or that has been processed for use—from the time trees are felled, to its end product as a material suitable for industrial use—as structural material for construction... Karl Benzs Velo (vélo means bicycle in French) model (1894) - entered into the first automobile race 2005 MINI Cooper S. An automobile (also motor car or simply car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor. ... This article is about the type of fabric. ... Chemical tanks in Lillebonne, France Chemical industry includes those industries involved in the production of petrochemicals, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, polymers, paints, oleochemicals etc. ... Handmade soap Soap is a surfactant used in conjunction with water for washing and cleaning. ... View of Shell Oil Refinery in Martinez, California. ...

Transportation

The Plateau and the Ébrié Lagoon at night, as seen from the Pyramide.

Trains on the line to Ouagadougou run from several stations in the city, the most important being in Treichville. Ferries link Treichville, Abobo-Doumé and the Plateau. The airport is located approximately 10 mi/16 km from downtown Abidjan. Taxis and buses are available at the airport. Buses are considered unsafe, but the taxis are reasonably safe given the proper local knowledge. The taxis are metered and the fares are relatively low. Rental cars are also available, however the fees can be quite expensive. Vehicle accidents occur frequently, especially at night when roads are poorly lit. Roadblocks manned by government security forces are becoming magnets for corruption. Police officers routinely extort bribes from motorists. Travelers planning to travel outside of Abidjan should do so only in convoy, maintaining constant radio or satellite contact. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Ébrié Lagoon lies in Côte dIvoire, separated for most of its length from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow coastal strip. ... An SP freight train west of Chicago in 1992. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... The ferryboat Dongan Hills, filled with commuters, about to dock at a New York City pier, ca. ... Taxicab, short forms taxi or cab, is a type of public transport for a single passenger, or small group of passengers, typically for a non-shared ride. ... Buse can refer to: Matthias Buse, ski jumper Buse Township, Minnesota This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

Port of Abidjan

Abidjan's modern port opened in 1950, when the Vridi Canal was cut through a sandbar, linking the Ébrié Lagoon with the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly West Africa's pre-eminent port, Abidjan is attempting to bring back traffic which veered to other ports during Côte d'Ivoire's political unrest. Since a military putsch in December 1999, as well as widespread civil unrest in the ensuing years, traffic has switched to other main regional ports such as Accra, Lome, Cotonou and Dakar. Xenophobia and harassment of foreigners, as well as numerous illegal roadblocks along the country's roads, have further discouraged shippers from using Abidjan's port. The Abidjan Port Authority (Port Autonome d'Abidjan) has invited delegations of shippers from the landlocked countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger -- which have seen increased difficulty in imports due to Abidjan's problems -- to working sessions to discuss improvements in the situation. Seaport, a painting by Claude Lorrain, 1638 The Port of Wellington at night. ... In geography, a bar is a linear shoaling landform feature within a body of water. ... The Gulf of Guinea is the part of the Atlantic southwest of Africa. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Accra, population 1,970,400 (2005), is the capital of Ghana. ... Lomé, estimated population 700,000 (1998), is the capital of Togo. ... Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin, as well as its largest city. ... (City of Dakar, divided into 19 communes darrondissement) City proper (commune) Région Dakar Département Dakar Mayor Pape Diop (PDS) (since 2002) Area 82. ... Look up xenophobia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Port Bouet Airport (DIAP/ABJ)

The airport has a 3,000-meter runway, Instrument Landing System 3B equipment, 25 check-in counters, and nine boarding access points. AERIA, Abidjan Airport Management Company, operates and manages the whole airport area and relevant indirect services. There is a military apron at the airport. Private aircraft usually park in the commercial area, away from the terminal. Fencing and lighting are adequate at this facility. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Localizer station at Hanover/Langenhagen International Airport in Hanover, Germany. ...

A special airport police unit provides security at Abidjan's airport. X-ray machines and metal detectors are used to screen passengers and their baggage, but security measures at this facility are lacking both in terms of quality and coverage. Theft is a concern in the passenger terminal. Airport officials are known to be corrupt due to their low salaries. Incidents of theft and drug smuggling occur frequently. Do not allow ground service personnel to handle possessions without supervision. Bertha Röntgens hand, one of the first X-ray images. ... A U.S. Army soldier uses a metal detector to search for weapons and ammunition in Iraq Metal detectors use electromagnetic induction to detect metal. ...

Political unrest

During times of political unrest, the Ivorian government closes the airport and imposes an overnight curfew for days at a time. There is also a French military base near the airport where protests may occur during times of political unrest.

Occasional violence also occurs at the airport. Most recently, on 6 November 2004, Ivorian troops raided Abidjan's airport in an attempt to destroy French aircraft. One aircraft was slightly damaged during the incident, but there are no details as to the extent or specificity of the damage. As a result of the attack, the airport perimeter was sealed and closed to air traffic. November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In the September 2002 mutiny, the Ivorian government closed Abidjan's international airport, as it usually does during times of unrest. Flights were diverted to neighboring Ghana and elsewhere. Unidentified gunmen briefly blocked the major highway leading in and out of Abidjan. Several carriers have cancelled service to Côte d'Ivoire.

A French Army convoy was ambushed in Abidjan by The Young Patriots which left 3 French Army soldiers dead and wounding 5 including a VAB APC destroyed during the Côte d'Ivoire civil war. The French Army (French: Armée de Terre) is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces. ... VAB is an three-letter acronym with multiple meanings, including: the Vehicle Assembly Building, a large building belonging to NASA (originally known as the Vertical Assembly Building) a French armoured personnel carrier (VAB (armoured personnel carrier)) The keystroke command used in the 1999 video game called Tribes to trigger an... Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) are armoured fighting vehicles developed to transport infantry on the battlefield. ... Armed insurgents in a technical (fighting vehicle). ...

Culture

its a very nice culture.

Security

• The law requires that travelers in Abidjan carry one of the following: one condom, a prostitue, some pills and poison.
• Although the overall situation in Abidjan has stabilized since the resurge in violence in November 2004, there are continual reports of violence. The U.N. has stated "its concern over the security situation" throughout Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in Abidjan. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice ranks Abidjan as the second most dangerous city in the world. With a proper tour guide, however, the city of Abidjan is quite safe and even pleasant.

• The current political situation is highly unstable and security risks are acute due to ongoing conflict. Foreigners should avoid all travel outside Abidjan, the former capital, as well as rural and outlying areas. Other threats include crime, carjacking and demonstrations.

This article is about the United Nations, for other uses of UN see UN (disambiguation) Official languages English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic Secretary-General Kofi Annan (since 1997) Established October 24, 1945 Member states 191 Headquarters New York City, NY, USA Official site http://www. ... The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. ... Condoleezza Rice (born November 14, 1954) is the 66th United States Secretary of State, and the second in the administration of President George W. Bush to hold the office. ... A Carjacking scene from the film Reservoir Dogs. ...

Ongoing Conflict

As the economic capital and largest city in Côte d’Ivoire, violence due to ongoing conflict remains a concern in Abidjan. Although the security situation has stabilized significantly since November 2004 and citizens have resumed regular daily activities, sporadic violence still occurs. Pro-government militia groups have previously been concentrated in the Adjamé district. There have been isolated incidents of violence between these militia and local residents.

Demonstrations

Abidjan has been the site of sporadic protests, some of which have turned violent. Demonstrations have normally been over political issues revolving around political opposition groups and disgruntled military personnel. The Young Patriots , a pro-government youth group, conducted a series of protests throughout the country in March 2005 to demand the withdrawal of French peacekeeping troops.

On September 6, 2006 hundreds of people protested in the streets after the death of two children who had inhaled fumes from toxic waste (See: 2006 Ivory Coast toxic waste spill) [2]. September 6 is the 249th day of the year (250th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Toxic waste is a hazardous waste that is toxic (poisonous or hazardous) for a variety of reasons. ... The 2006 Ivory Coast toxic waste spill was a health crisis in the Ivory Coast in which a ship illegaly dumped toxic waste in up to 12 sites around the countrys largest city, Abidjan, in August 2006 [1] On August 19 of 2006, a ship called the Probo Koala...

Crime

The city's crime rate has continually increased as a result of poor economic conditions, an influx of weapons and refugees from neighboring Liberia, and urban migration. Burglaries commonly occur at residences, restaurants, and small businesses. Petty theft is prevalent throughout Abidjan and armed gangs are a growing problem. Tourists are frequently robbed on the Houphouet-Boigny and Charles de Gaulle bridges; travelers should not cross these bridges on foot. Persons who are victims of armed robbery should not attempt to resist thieves.

External links

• Photos from Abidjan
• More photos
• Akwaba in Ivory Coast
• Map of Abidjan

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 5.3364° -4.0266°
  • Mapping from Multimap or GlobalGuide or Google Maps
  • Aerial image from TerraServer
  • Satellite image from WikiMapia