Along the Lagoon lies the chief port and capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Abidjan. This city became the capital of the French colony in 1934, and remained the economic capital after independence in 1960. The important districts are Plateau, Cocody (site of the National University of Cote d'Ivoire), Treichville, Adjame, Koumassi, and Marcory.

Today, Abidjan is the financial center of French-speaking West Africa. Abidjan's main exports are coffee, cocoa, timber, bananas, pineapples, and manganese. There are many wide, shady streets and plenty of gardened squares in the city; the university (built in 1958) lies on the eastern mainland. Abidjan holds a museum of traditional Ivorian art, a national library, and several agricultural and scientific research institutes. The city is a communications center and also has an international airport. Maquis - African style restaurants - are found everywhere, and are famous for their grilled chicken and fish. Popular local foods include aloco and attieke. The city has a population of around 3.5 million.

[ Western Africa - Northern Africa - Eastern Africa ]
[ Central Africa - Southern Africa - the African Islands ]

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