Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is the economic powerhouse of Francophone West Africa, with Abidjan as its gleaming commercial capital. The 520-kilometre coast runs from Liberia to Ghana, offering a mix of lagoon beaches, Atlantic surf, and the UNESCO-listed former capital of Grand-Bassam. French remains the official language, and the cuisine blends African traditions with French refinement. The beach resorts of Assinie and the colonial history of Grand-Bassam are the main coastal attractions.