| Facts About Yamoussoukro | |
|---|---|
| Country | Ivory Coast |
| Region | Lacs |
| Founded | 15,000 to 10,000 BC |
| Area | 3,500 km2 |
| Lat Long Coordinates | 06°49′00″N05°17′00″W |
| Population | 242744 |
| Time Zone | UTC+0) |
| area Code | 533 |
| Language | Dioula, Baoule, Dan, Anyin, Cebaara Senufo, French |
| Major Religion | Christianity |
| Point of interest | Basilica of Our Lady of Peace |
About city :
Yamoussoukro is the capital of Cote d’Ivoire. This site was occupied by the village of N’Gokro in 1901 at the time of French colonization and it was ruled by Queen Yamousso. In 1909, the French military station was shifted here which was renamed Yamoussoukro in homage to the ruling queen. The growth of the city took place at an accelerated rate since the independence of the country in 1960. In 1983, President Felix Houphouet-Boigny shifted the capital of Cote d'Ivoire from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, his hometown.
However, efforts have now increased to shift all offices to Yamoussoukro and the city today has an approximate population of 200,500.
Geography :
The city is located in the South central part of the country, about 274 kms to the northwest of the previous capital of Abidjan. Under the patronage of President Houphouet-Boigny, a huge highway was constructed to join the two cities. Yamoussoukro is set on plain lands at an average elevation of 200 meters. The flat monotonous topography is occasionally interrupted by isolated inselbergs.
Two important rivers flow around the city. These are Marahouet River and the N’zi River. Both these rivers ultimately join the Bandama River.
The city enjoys a tropical wet dry climate. November to March is dry season while May to November receives moderate to heavy rainfall. The climate is mostly hot and humid.
How to reach (transport) :
You can reach the city of Yamoussoukro by flight as the city is served by its own international airport. Some highways are present where plenty of buses and taxis ply. You can travel round the city by road.
When to visit :
The best time to visit is between November and March. This is the cool dry season and hence best for travel. However, it is best to avoid late January and early February when dusty winds blow from the Sahara desert and cover everything in dust and sand.
Fairs and Festivals :
President Felix Houphouet-Boigny envisaged grand plan for the development of the city. As a result, you will find large grids with paved and lighted streets but, the plan did not progress as expected. So, much of the city actually remains empty. Recently, efforts have intensified to shift all the government offices to the city. However, the economy of the city is growing with trade.
No major festival takes place in the city as most are still celebrated in the old capital city of Abidjan. However, some efforts were made to shift the Festival of Masks to Yamoussoukro where traditional dances with masks are performed in the streets. But then, no major decisions has been made considering the migration of this festival.
Points of interest (places to visit) :
The colorful markets and the impressive architecture of the city can be best enjoyed by traveling around the city by car. The most important tourist attraction of Yamoussoukro is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. This is the largest Christian church of the world. It is modeled after St. Peter’s basilica in Vatican and rises to a height of 489 ft.
Accommodation :
A good vacation is one that engages a good stay as well. This city too has very few options when it comes to a pleasurable stay. For instance, Hotel President is the only good hotel in the city. So, advance booking is desirable. But then, there are a few hostels available, however they are not of very good standard.
Last Updated : February 17, 2014
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