Here's what we know about Côte d’Ivoire, including how to pronounce its name
Curious about Côte d’Ivoire after the just-concluded 74th Miss Universe?
Miss Côte d’Ivoire, Olivia Yace, was undeniably a standout from the preliminaries until her win as fourth runner-up in this year's pageant.
She was among the outstanding candidates during the national costume competition, where she donned a vibrant golden attire inspired by the heritage of the Akan people. She complemented it with golden wings, which they consider a nod to the "Dove of Peace." The bust also featured an elephant-shaped figure—a national emblem of the country. She topped off her look with a calabash-shaped crown that symbolizes the life and hard work of Ivorian women.
She remained golden in a shimmering dress made by Filipino designer Leo Almodal during the preliminary evening gown competition. She remained a frontrunner during the finale and ultimately finished in the Top 5.
Her overall performance at the tilt drew global attention to her country. Here's what we know about it, including how to pronounce its name.
How to pronounce 'Côte d’Ivoire'
First things first: How do you pronounce Côte d’Ivoire?
Whether you’re reading about a country in a book, watching a documentary, rooting for its representative in a pageant, or planning a visit, knowing the correct pronunciation of its name shows respect for its people, culture, and language.
Côte d’Ivoire, the French term for Ivory Coast, is pronounced as "kowt dee vwaar," per Cambridge Dictionary.
Where is Côte d’Ivoire?
Côte d’Ivoire, or the Ivory Coast, is nestled in West Africa.
The Ivorian people primarily speak French, as they were a French colony for over 100 years. Other languages were from the Niger-Congo language family, including Kwa, which is spoken by people in southern areas, Mande in the northwest, and Gur in the northeast.
Islam is the country’s primary religion, particularly in the northwest and the economic capital, Abidjan, while many Ivorians also identify as Roman Catholic or Evangelical Christians.
What is Côte d’Ivoire known for?
Côte d’Ivoire is a country known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant music and art scenes, and as one of the world’s leading producers of cocoa and cashew.
In 2023, the country produced 1,044,450 metric tons of cashews, making it the world’s top producer, according to World Population Review.
It also supplies about 30% of the world’s cocoa, with major brands like Cadbury and Nestlé sourcing from its farms.
Côte d’Ivoire has a vibrant cultural life, where music, storytelling, and traditional celebrations play important roles. According to the African Guide website, Ivorian people host festivals such as the Fêtes des Masques in Man, which features dances with masks honoring forest spirits, a lively week-long carnival in Bouaké each March, and the Fête du Dipri in Gomon, known for its nocturnal drumming and trance rituals. Muslims in the country also celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan with prayers, gifts, and communal feasts.
Must-visit spots
Côte d’Ivoire has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Sudanese-style mosques in northern Ivory Coast, the historic town of Grand-Bassam, Comoe National Park, Tai National Park, which is home to 11 species of monkeys, and the lush greenery of Mount Nimba.
The country also houses the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, located in Yamoussoukro, which was named by Guinness World Records as the largest church in the world.
There's also an interesting tourist spot in the country's capital, Yamoussoukro, which has a lake filled with crocodiles located in the former presidential palace. Both locals and visitors often come to observe the reptiles, particularly during feeding time when they are given chicken.
According to a report by WION, this was started by the country’s first president Felix Boigny, who ruled for 33 years. The reptiles, called “Yamoussoukro’s sacred crocodiles” by locals, were so valued by the president that he treated them as part of his security.
Other places worth visiting in the Ivory Coast are Les Cascades a Man, which is a natural waterfall in the stair-like landscape, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Grand Mosque.
