Capital since 1983 of
Côte d'Ivoire; population (1998) 155,800, (2007 calc) 205,700. The city is in Bouaké department and lies northwest of Abidjan. The economy is based on tourism, fishing, agricultural trade and production, and petroleum distribution to the surrounding region. Other industries include forestry and perfume manufacture.
The Roman Catholic Yamoussoukro Basilica (said to be the largest church in the world) was completed in 1989 and consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1990. The city also has a large mosque.
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