The Republic of Cote d?Ivoire (Ivory Coast), a former French overseas territory located on the south side of the African bulge between Nigeria and Ghana, has an area of 124,504 sq. mi. (322,463 sq. km.) and a population of 15.14 million. Capital: Abidjan. The predominantly agricultural economy is one of Africa?s most prosperous. Coffee, tropical woods, cocoa, and bananas are exported. ,The Ivory Coast was first visited by French and Portuguese navigators in the 15th century. French traders set up establishments in the 19th century, and gradually extended their influence along the coast and inland. The area was organized as a territory in 1893, and from 1904 to 1958 was a constituent unit of the Federation of French West Africa ? as a Colony under the Third Republic and an Overseas Territory under the Fourth. In 1958 the Ivory Coast became an autonomous republic within the French Community. Independence was attained on Aug. 7, 1960.,, ,Together with other West African states, the Cote d?Ivoire is a member of the ?union Monetaire Ouest-Africaine.? ,, ,Also see French West Africa and West African Monetary Union.,, Rulers:,,, ,French to 1960,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Franc = 100 Centimes,,