Abidjan

Abidjan is a completely different city from most large African cities. It has areas with huge glass and steel skyscrapers and there are the usual slums as well, but the difference between them is huge; much more than in other cities on the continent. In 1951 the French opened the Vridi Canal that connects the lagoon on which Abidjan sits with the ocean, effectively converting the city into a sea-port. The lagoon became an excellent harbor and the, up to then, small town started expanding rapidly to the present 6 million people.

The French also made Abidjan the capital of Côte d'Ivoire. In 1983, Yamassoukro was designated as the country's capital. Currently, Abidjan is divided into several different parts.

Plateau is the most modern part, with wide boulevards, supermarkets and huge office buildings. Most businesses, government offices and foreign embassies are located there. The National Museum is on Blvd. Carde and the modern Cathédrale St. Paul on Blvd. General de Gaulle offers great views over the area. Both are in Plateau. The main urban bus station is also there.

Also in plateau: the French Cultural Centre (CCF) and the Côte d'Ivoire Museum of Civilisations, which houses a collection of Ivorian art such as statues, masks, jewelry, tools, carved doors, tom-toms and musical instruments from all over the country.

Another wealthy area is Cocody where the country's upper classes have their residences. The famous Hôtel Ivoire is situated in Cocody as well. Inside the hotel you will find everything from an ice-skating rink to a bowling alley. Also in Cocody are several museums, including the Goethe Institute, the Municipal Museum, the American Culture Centre (CCA), Cocody Museum of Contemporary Art and Point d'Orgue, which is a private music education centre. The Ki Yi M'Bock Village in the Riviera is a good place if you want to learn more about puppetry art.

Treichville is linked to Plateau with two bridges (one of them also carrying the railway). It is the city's 'African' quarter and its most colorful and interesting one. Abidjan's largest market is Adjamé Market, the city's main railway station and many of the cheaper accommodation and restaurants are all situated in Treichville. There you'll also find the Sports Palace, the Cultural Palace and Abidjan artisanal centre (CAVA).

To the north of Plateau is another African quarter, known as Adjamé, where the main gare routière is located.

Yet another similar suburb is Marcory, east of Treichville.

Abidjan's international airport and the main port are both in Port Bouët south of town, near the Atlantic coast. On that coast, especially around the lagoon are some excellent beaches backed by palm and coconut trees. Swimming is restricted because of the rip-tides there.

To the northwest of Abidjan you will find a rainforest area called Parc du Banco. The largest outdoor launderette on the continent is nearby. It's an unbelievable mess of people washing and drying clothes each day, without mixing them up.

Accommodation is plenty in Abidjan, the more fancy places are in Plateau and most budget accommodation is found in Treichville, though there are hotels in Adjamé, Cocody and Marcory as well. There is a camping, about 15 km away near the seafront. Food stalls are scattered all over the city; you will even find them in Plateau and the best place to look for a restaurant is Treichville.

Abidjan is on the southern coast of Côte d'Ivoire, at the Lagune Ébrié.

Be very careful when walking around Abidjan at night, as the city has high crime rates and there is a great chance of being robbed.