Ivory coast, or the country's offical name, Cote d'lvoire is a republic made up of 19 regions.
The country borders five other West African countries - Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
The population was last estimated to be around 21,571,000 (United Nations) in 2010.
While the official language is French,there are many local languages including Baoule, Dioula and Anyin.
The country's capital is Yamoussoukro, however it's largest city, Abidjan, has been the centre of much conflict, including the 2002 civil war, and the current unrest over of the country's presidency.
While Ivory Coast was once seen as peaceful and posperous, the country has been deeply divided along ethinic and religious ties.
In the lead up to the 2002 civil war, differences between northern Ivory Coast where most people are Muslim, and the southern part of the country erupted.
The south wanted to protect the country's "Ivorite" or "Ivorian-ness", a concept pushed by the President at the time, Laurent Gbagbo who is Catholic.
The country was once seen as an economic stronghold in the 1960s and 1970s due to its coffee and cocoa industry, however a downturn caused political and social turmoil during the 1980s.
More recently, demonstrations have rocked the country following the presidential election in November 2010.
Gbagbo has refused to step down, after the United Nations recognised that Alassane Ouattara had won the election.
Violent protests have ensued between forces supporting Ouattara, who is originally from the north, and those of Gbagbo.
The United Nations has called on Ouattara to take action against protesters for taking part in violent demonstrations around the country.
Ouattara has had a long battle for the presidency.
He was twice barred from running in elections as he was regarded as a foreigner due to his mother being born in the neighbouring country of Burkina Faso.
He was however appointed Prime Minister between 1990 and 1993 by Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the country's first leader after independence from France in 1960.
