Ivory Coast for Dummies

"Ivory Coast" is the popular nickname for a beautiful country located on the west coast of Africa. Let's break it down step by step to really understand what it means!

First, let's talk about the word "ivory." Imagine a shiny, smooth substance that comes from the tusks of elephants. This material is called ivory. In the past, elephants were found abundantly in the forests of this country, and people used to extract the ivory from their tusks for various purposes. Hence, the name "Ivory Coast" reflects the historical presence and significance of elephants and their precious ivory in this country.

Now, let's move on to the word "coast." Just like the sandy beaches where the waves of the ocean meet the land, a coast refers to the area where a country meets the sea. So, the name "Ivory Coast" suggests that this beautiful country is located right beside the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

But wait, there's more! "Ivory Coast" is not only the nickname, but also the official name of this country. Its formal name is actually "Republic of Côte d'Ivoire." Wow, that sounds fancy, doesn't it? This French name is used because the country was once a French colony, and French is still widely spoken there. So, when you hear someone say "Ivory Coast," you'll know they are referring to the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

So, to sum it all up, "Ivory Coast" means a country in Africa that was historically known for its abundance of elephants and their precious ivory, and that is located along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. It's like a place where the gentle giants roamed and the waves sang their soothing songs!