YamoussoukroYamoussoukro has been the new administrative and political capital since 1983, the city is about 230km (143 miles) north of Abidjan. The town has a lively market, an international-standard golf course and several buildings of architectural interest, including the Palace and Plantations of the President and the Mosque. Also of architectural interest but, above all, of statistical interest, is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix. Fractionally smaller than St Peter’s in Rome, it incorporates a greater area of stained glass than the total area of stained glass in
France. Roman Catholicism is a minority religion in Côte d’Ivoire (some say that the Cathedral could accommodate every Roman Catholic in the country several times over). Yamoussoukro was the birthplace of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who was Côte d’Ivoire’s President for 33 years. The cathedral was paid for almost entirely out of his own pocket. The Abokouamekro Game Reserve is about an hour outside Yamoussoukro.
ElsewhereThe former capital and largest city, Abidjan is dominated by the Plateau, the central commercial district. The older, more traditional heart of the city is Treichville, home of many bars, restaurants and nightclubs as well as the colorful central market. There is a very good museum, the Ifon Museum as well as the National Museum containing historic artifacts, statues and ivory. Suburbs have grown up along the banks of the lagoon; these include Cocody, Marcory and Adjamé. About 100km (60 miles) east of the former capital is the beach resort of Assouinde; other places being developed as tourist attractions include Tiagba, a stilt town; Grand Bassam, whose sandy beaches make the place a favorite weekend retreat for the inhabitants of Abidjan; and Bondoukou, one of the oldest settlements in the country.
In the west of the country is the attractive town of Man, situated in a region of thickly forested mountains and plateau. The nearby waterfalls are a popular attraction, as are climbs to the peak of Mount Tonkoui and visits to the villages of Biankouma and Gouessesso, 55km (34 miles) away. Other towns of interest include Korhogo, the main city of the north and center of a good fishing and hunting district; the former capital of Bingerville; and the town of Bouaké in the center of the country.
Locally organized package tours include visits to one of the country’s national parks, including the Comoé in the northeast and the Banco National Park, 3000 hectares of equatorial forest.
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