e (1995 est.)
total population: 40.1%
male: 49.9%
female: 30%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast

Data code: IV

Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime
established 1960

Capital: Yamoussoukro
note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan
remains the administrative center; foreign governments, including
the US, maintain official presences in Abidjan

Administrative divisions: 50 departments (departements, singular -
departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville,
Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou,
Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro,
Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,
Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro,
Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra,
Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,
Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula

Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 7 August

Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times,
last time November 1990

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993)
served the remainder of the term of former President Felix
HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who died in office after continuous service from
November 1960; President BEDIE was elected with 96% of the vote at
the last election on 22 October 1995 (next election October 2000);
the president is elected for a five-year term by popular vote
head of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10
December 1993), appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers, appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 27
November 1995 (next to be held November 2000); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 147, RDR 14, FPI 10,
unfilled 4; note - of th