Abidjan

Port and former capital (until 1983) of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire; population (2001 est) 2,900,400. As well as having a modern deepwater port, the city is served by an international airport (Port-Bouët) and communication by rail, as well as by sea. The city has become increasingly important for its industries, which include metallurgy, farm machinery, and car and electrical assembly. Products include coffee, palm oil, cocoa, and timber (mahogany). There are tourist markets trading in handicrafts and traditional medicines.

The city is built on a spacious site behind the Ebrie lagoon on the West African coast. It was linked to the open sea by the Vridi Canal in 1950, enabling Abidjan to handle the bulk of the Côte d'Ivoire's external trade. The University of Abidjan was founded in 1958. The city also contains the National Museum of the Côte d'Ivoire and the Cathédrale St Paul. Yamoussoukro became the new capital in 1983, but was not internationally recognized as such until 1992.