Flags, Symbols & Currency of Cote d'Ivoire
The National Flag of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) was officially adopted on December 3, 1959.
The National Flag of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a vertical tricolor and comprises of three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green. The orange color of the flag represents the savanna grasslands dominating the northern parts of the country. The white color symbolizes peace, purity, unity and a pledge for success. The green color represents the luxuriant coastal forests of the south and also symbolizes the hope for a bright future. The flag has a proportion ratio of 2:3.
History of the Flag of the Ivory Coast
Being a French colony, Ivory Coast was represented by the National Flag of France. The French government did not allow the use of any other flag, fearing that it might lead to the development of nationalist feelings and subsequent revolution. In 1959, the modern flag of the country was adopted. The flag does not feature the Pan-African colors used by a vast majority of neighbouring nations. The flag’s unique design though modelled after the French Tricolore was indeed a popular choice and has not been changed ever since it was officially adopted.
Symbols of Cote d'Ivoire
The National Coat of Arms of Cote d' Ivorie (Ivory Coast)
The current official Coat of Arms of Ivory Coast was adopted on June 26, 1964. It features a shield with the head of an elephant that is supported by two golden palm trees. The elephant is an important symbol for the nation. The elephant is the only large animal found in the country as well as it was the source of ivory for which the country is named. The golden rising sun above the shield symbolizes a new beginning. Below the shield is a banner inscribed with the name of the nation: "République de Côte d'Ivoire".
National Motto
"Union, Discipline, Travail" (“Unity, Discipline, Labour”)
National Anthem
- Anthem Title: L'Abidjanaise ("The Song of Abidjan")
- Music Composers: Pierre-Michel Pango and Pierre Marie Coty
- Lyricists: Joachim Bony, Pierre Marie Coty and Mathieu Ekra
- Date of Adoption: July 27, 1960
L'Abidjanaise ("The Song of Abidjan) is the national anthem of Cote d' Ivoire (Ivory Coast). The music of the anthem has been composed by both Pierre-Michel Pango and Pierre Marie Coty. The lyrics have been authored by Joachim Bony, Pierre Marie Coty and Mathieu Ekra. The anthem was officially adopted on July 27, 1960.
L'Abidjanaise
Premier couplet
Salut Ô terre d'espérance;
Pays de l'hospitalité.
Tes légions remplies de vaillance
Ont relevé ta dignité.
Tes fils, chère Côte d'Ivoire,
Fiers artisans de ta grandeur,
Tous rassemblés pour ta gloire
Te bâtiront dans le bonheur.
Premier refrain
Fiers Ivoiriens, le pays nous appelle.
Si nous avons dans la paix ramené la liberté,
Notre devoir sera d'être un modèle
De l'espérance promise à l'humanité,
En forgeant, unie dans la foi nouvelle,
La patrie de la vraie fraternité.
Deuxième couplet
À toi noble Côte d'Ivoire,
Ô grand pays des bonnes gens !
Nous apportons dans la victoire,
L’hommage de nos cœurs ardents.
Dans l’amitié des peuples frères,
Dieu guide nous vers l’idéal,
Soumise à la devise chère :
Union, discipline, travail.
Deuxième refrain
Pour ta grandeur, riche et noble patrie,
Nous marcherons de l’avant, pleins d’amour et pleins de foi.
De cœurs unis, au cours de notre vie,
Nous œuvrerons dans l’honneur
pour le juste droit,
De cœurs unis au cours de notre vie,
À tes appels nous serons tous présents.
Troisième couplet
À tous nos compagnons de route,
À l’aube de ce jour tombés,
Pour que ne règne plus le doute,
Mais la foi, la fraternité.
À tous nos bataillons d’élite,
Dans la tombe aujourd’hui couchés,
Ô peuple tout entier redites :
Amour, honneur, fidélité.
Premier refrain
Quatrième couplet
Et que ton drapeau nous unisse,
Que ton amour nous fortifie,
Car pour toi seul nous voulons vivre,
Et pour toi combattre et mourir.
Et vous, fière et noble jeunesse,
De tous les horizons connus,
Suivez toujours cette sagesse,
de nos ainés qui ne sont plus.
Deuxième refrain
Cinquième couplet
A nous qu’anime l’espérance,
En ton avenir lumineux,
Redonne toujours l’assurance,
De nous conduire en peuple heureux.
Et nous irons de par le monde,
Semer ton nom et tes bienfaits,
En clamant sur toutes les ondes,
Que sur ton sol règne la paix.
Premier refrain
"The Song of Abidjan"
First verse
We salute you, O land of hope,
Country of hospitality;
Thy full gallant legions
Have restored thy dignity.
Beloved Ivory Coast, thy sons,
Proud builders of thy greatness,
All gathered together for thy glory,
In joy will we construct thee.
First chorus
Proud Ivorians, the country calls us.
If we have brought back liberty peacefully,
It will be our duty to be an example
Of the hope promised to humanity,
In building, united in the new faith
The homeland of true brotherhood.
Second verse
To you, noble Ivory Coast,
O great country of good people!
We bring in victory,
The homage of our ardent hearts.
In the friendship of the brotherly peoples,
God guides us to the ideal,
Subject to the motto:
Union labor discipline.
Second Chorus
For your greatness, rich and noble homeland,
We will walk forward, full of love and full of faith.
From united hearts, during our life,
We will work in honor for the just right,
Of hearts united during our life,
With your calls we will all be present.
Third Verse
To all our fellow travelers,
At the dawn of this fallen day,
So that there is no longer any doubt,
But faith, fraternity.
To all our elite battalions,
In the tomb today,
O whole people repetitions:
Love, honor, fidelity.
First Chorus
Fourth verse
And let your flag unite us,
May your love strengthen us,
Because for you alone we want to live,
And for you fight and die.
And you, proud and noble youth,
From all known horizons,
Always follow this wisdom,
of our elders who are no more.
Second chorus
Fifth verse
To us, which animates hope,
In your bright future,
Always restore the insurance,
To lead us into happy people.
And we will go around the world,
Sow your name and your benefits,
By clamoring on all the waves,
That on your soil reigns peace.
First chorus
The Currency of Cote d'Ivoire is the The West African CFA franc
The West African CFA franc is the official currency used by Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and seven other nations situated in western Africa. The BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest) [The Central Bank of the West African States] issues the currency.
The initials CFA represents the Communauté Financière d'Afrique, a Central Bank situated in Senegal in the city of Dakar. The West African CFA franc is a stable currency, which has enabled economies to experience steady growth.
Coins
Coins of the West African CFA franc exist in the forms of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, and 500 francs.
Banknotes
Banknotes of the West African CFA franc exist in the forms of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 francs.
50-franc banknotes were last issued in 1959, and 100-franc banknotes were last issued in 1965. The 10,000-franc note has existed since 1977.
West African CFA franc Banknote
West African CFA franc Coin
Historical Currencies of Cote d' Ivorie
In 1904, Cote d’Ivoire was added into the group of West Africa French colonies known as ‘the Federation of French West Africa.' Just like the other French colonies, Cote d’Ivoire was made to adopt the French West African CFA franc as its first official currency.
The French West African CFA franc was linked to the French franc and was produced and circulated by the Central Bank of West Africa. The currency was introduced in 1903, and it existed only in the form of banknotes. The notes were in denominations of 5, 25, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 francs. Aluminum-bronze coins of 1 franc and 50 centimes were first issued in 1944. The West African CFA franc was introduced to the French Colonies in West Africa, including the Ivory Coast. The West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc were issued concurrently. Both currencies have the same value and are guaranteed by the treasury of France. The West African CFA franc was issued in the form of banknotes of varying denominations. The Central Bank of West African States took up the role of producing and circulating currency from the Bank of West Africa. To this day, Ivory Coast still uses the West African CFA franc as its legal tender. The shared currency has improved trade in the West African region, particularly in Cote d’Ivoire, because traders do not worry about exchange rate fluctuations.
French West African franc Banknote
