Côte d’Ivoire

Congestion at a market in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire. *Photo from Wikipedia August 7 is Republic Day of Côte d’Ivoire, which commemorates its freedom from France, gained in 1960. Prior to its colonization by Europeans, Côte d’Ivoire was home to several states, including Gyaaman, the Kong Empire, and Baoulé. Two Anyi kingdoms, Indénié and Sanwi, attempted to retain their separate identity through the French colonial period and after independence. Côte d’Ivoire became a protectorate of France in 1843 – 1844 and was later formed into a French colony in 1893 amid the European scramble for Africa. Côte