Abidjan is the economic capital of Ivory Coast and is the most populated West Af

rican French-speaking city. Its population, according to the country s authorities

in 2011, was 12,783,906 inhabitants in the agglomeration, and 6,351,086 inhabit
ants in the city, which is 20% of the overall population of the country. Only La
gos, the old capital of Nigeria, surpasses it in number of inhabitants in the re
gion. Considered the cultural crossroads of West Africa, Abidjan is characterize
d by a high level of industrialization and urbanization.
The city grew up quickly after the construction of a new wharf in
esignation as the capital city of the then-French colony in 1933.
of the Vridi Canal in 1951 enabled it to become an important sea
Yamoussoukro was designated as the official capital city of Ivory
ost all political institutions and foreign embassies are still in
Contents [hide]
1 Geography
1.1 Climate
1.2 Territorial division
1.2.1 Northern Abidjan
1.2.2 Southern Abidjan
1.2.3 Suburbs
2 Origin of the name "Abidjan"
3 History
3.1 Colonial era
3.2 After independence
4 Politics
4.1 Administration
4.1.1 Organisation
5 Places of interest
5.1 Government institutions
5.2 Security
5.2.1 Police
5.2.2 Drugs
5.3 French military base
5.4 Relationships and partnerships
5.4.1 Diplomacy and international bodies
5.4.2 Sister cities
5.5 Miscellaneous
6 Society
6.1 Demographics
6.2 Languages
6.3 Education
6.4 Health
6.5 Urbanism and habitat
6.5.1 Problems with urban network
6.5.2 Urban squalor
6.5.3 Urban rehabilitation
7 Economy
8 Industry
8.1 Tertiary sector
8.2 Electricity
8.3 Telecommunication and ICT
8.4 Banking system
8.5 Transportation
8.5.1 Transport
8.5.2 Taxis
8.5.3 Airport
8.5.4 Circulation
8.5.5 Port
8.5.6 Bridges

1931 and its d

The completion
port. In 1983
Coast, but alm
Abidjan.

8.5.7 Trains and trams

8.6 Tourism
8.6.1 Parc du Banco (Banco National Park)
8.6.2 Night life
9 Culture
9.1 Religious buildings
9.2 Monuments and museums
9.3 Cinema
9.3.1 Festivals
9.3.2 Abidjan in cinema
9.4 Music
9.5 Media
9.5.1 Television and radio
9.5.2 Press
9.5.3 Internet and digital TV
9.5.4 Television channels
9.6 Festivals and cultural events
9.6.1 Theatre
9.6.2 Dance
9.6.3 Fashion
9.6.4 Other
10 Sport
10.1 Football
10.2 Other sports
10.3 Facilities
11 References
12 External links
Geography[edit]
Location map of Abidjan
Abidjan lies on the south-east coast of the country in the Gulf of Guinea. The c
ity lies on the bri Lagoon. The business district Le Plateau is the centre of the
city, along with Cocody, Deux Plateaux (the wealthiest neighborhood and a hub fo
r diplomats), and the slum of Adjam on the north shore of the lagoon. Treichville
and Marcory lie to the south, Commune d' Attecoube by its extension to Locodjro
and Abobo Doume and Yopougon to the west, and Gbagba and N'Gbotroya (Locodjro)
called today Boulay Island in the middle of the lagoon. Further south lies Port
Bout, home to the airport and main seaport. Abidjan is located at 525' North, 42' W
est (5.41667, -4.03333).[4]
Climate[edit]
The city has a tropical wet and dry climate (Kppen: Aw) with a long rainy season
from May through July, a short rainy season (September November) and two dry seaso
ns, though rain is seen even during these dry seasons. Abidjan is generally humi
d throughout the year, with humidity generally at or higher than 80 percent. Dur
ing the rainy season it can rain continuously for several consecutive days, or i
ntensely for over an hour. The rainfall is abundant at about 2,000 mm per year.[
5] The monthly rainfall varies between about 20 mm and 500 mm in January to June
and the temperature is almost constant at around 27 C (81 F).[6]
The highest record temperature was 43 C (109 F) on 27 February 1999, while the low
est record temperature was 15 C (59 F) on 11 September 2000.[7]
[hide]Climate data for
Month Jan
Feb
Oct
Nov
Dec
Record high C (F)
(104) 43
(109) 41
(106) 38

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Mar
Apr
May
Year
40

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

(100) 39
(102) 39
(102) 34
(93)
32
(90)
35
(95)
42
(108) 39
(102) 39
(102) 43
(109)
Average high C (F)
(88)
31.7
(89.1) 31.8
(89.2) 31.7
(89.1) 31.0
(87.8) 29.2
(84.6) 28.0
(82.4) 27.5
(81.5) 28.1
(82.6) 29.7
(85.5) 31.1
(88)
31.0
(87.8) 30.16
(86.3)
Daily mean C (F)
(80.4) 27.9
(82.2) 28.1
(82.6) 28.2
(82.8) 27.7
(81.9) 26.5
(79.7) 25.1
(77.2) 24.5
(76.1) 25.6
(78.1) 26.5
(79.7) 27.5
(81.5) 27.4
(81.3) 26.83
(80.29)
Average low C (F)
(75)
25.0
(77)
25.2
(77.4) 25.1
(77.2) 24.8
(76.6) 24.1
(75.4) 23.2
(73.8) 22.5
(72.5) 22.8
(73)
24.0
(75.2) 24.7
(76.5) 24.3
(75.7) 24.13
(75.44)
Record low C (F)
(64)
19
(66)
18
(64)
18
(64)
18
(64)
17
(63)
18
(64)
17

31.1

26.9

23.9

18

(63)
15
(59)
18
(64)
19
(66)
19
(66)
15
(59)
Precipitation mm (inches)
16.3
(0.642) 48.9
(1.925) 106.7
(4.201) 141.3
(5.563) 293.5
(11.555)
651.8
(25.661)
205.7
(8.098) 36.8
(1.449) 80.5
(3.169) 137.7
(5.421) 143.3
(5.642) 75.1
(2.957) 1,937.6
(76.283)
Avg. rainy days (= 0.1 mm)
3
5
9
11
17
21
13
12
12
14
13
7
137
Average humidity (%)
73
71
70
71
75
82
79
79
80
78
73
73
75.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours
210.8 209.05 220.1 216
201.5 129
130.2 114.7 138
204.6 225
207.7 2,206.65
Source #1: Climate Charts (altitude: 8m)[8] Voodoo Skies for record temperatures
,[7] World Climate Guide for rainy days[9]
Source #2: Hong Kong Observatory for sunshine,[8] Climatemps.com for humidity[9]
Abidjan mean sea temperature[9][10]
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
28 C (82 F) 28 C (82 F) 28 C (82 F) 29 C (84 F) 29 C (84 F)
28 C (82 F) 26 C (79 F) 25 C (77 F) 25 C (77 F) 26 C (79 F)
28 C (82 F) 28 C (82 F)
Territorial division[edit]
Abidjan is composed of two parts (northern Abidjan and southern Abidjan) with te
n boroughs each being run by a mayor.
Northern Abidjan[edit]
Some buildings in the Plateau
Abobo : the town consists mainly of public housing. It has long played the role
of refuge for migrants with low financial means. This area has developed spontan
eously around the station.
Williamsville
Adjam : Although small in size, this commune is very important for the Ivorian ec
onomy, given the number of commercial activities taking place there. Unfortunate
ly, Adjame experiences problems of sanitation. The village bri existed before Abid
jan developed. Its market is the realm of shops of all kinds and its bus station
is the main crossing bus lines that feed the country and neighbouring countries
.
Yopougon : it is the most populated commune of Abidjan, lying partly in Northern
Abidjan and partly across the lagoon in Southern Abidjan. It is home to industr
ial and residential areas. The research station ORSTOM, Pasteur Institute and a
teaching hospital are established
Plateau : the business centre with tall buildings looks very modern in Abidjan.
Although the administrative capital of Ivory Coast has been officially transferr
ed to Yamoussoukro in 1983, the institutions of the republic such as the Preside
ncy and National Assembly are still in Plateau. It is the main administrative co

mmercial and financial center of Ivory Coast.

Attcoub : Banco forest, classified as a national park, is located within this comm
une. A massive shopping complex, probably the largest in Abidjan, has been built
there.[11]
Cocody : famous for its residential districts (2-Plateaux, Riviera), Cocody Univ
ersity also has the same name (University of Cocody
public institution) and some
private universities. Home Television (RTI) is located in Cocody. The President
of the Republic resides in this commune. Cocody is also the embassy's district.
Southern Abidjan[edit]
Beach of Vridi
Koumassi : This commune has an important industrial area.
Marcory : This commune is mainly a residential area.
Bitry and Zone 4 are residential areas where many foreigners live
Port-Bout : This commune includes both a refinery (Ivorian Company Refining CRS)
and the Flix Houphout-Boigny International Airport. There is also an established o
ffice of the IRD, the centre of Little Bassam.[12] His famous lighthouse sweeps
the Gulf of Guinea on several nautical miles.
Vridi : the beach area is busy every weekend, although the ocean is very aggress
ive the "bar" does a little to move away from the shore, a phenomenon widely alo
ng the Gulf of Guinea. From 1950, Vridi has become the main employment areas in
Abidjan because of the increasing number of factories and warehouses
Treichville : This commune is home to the Autonomous Port of Abidjan and many sh
ops. The port area is also an industrial area. There is also the pool of State T
reichville (PET), the palace of sports Treichville, the Palace of Culture, stree
t 12, racetrack Abidjan...
le Boulay.
Suburbs[edit]
The main towns which are near Abidjan are Jacqueville, Grand-Lahou and Dabou in
the west, Sikensi, Tiassal, Agboville, Adzop and Aleppo in the north, and Grand-Ba
ssam to the east.
The towns of Songon, Bingerville and Anyama were incorporated in 2001 into the D
epartment of Abidjan.