Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro is the capital city of Ivory Coast. It became the capital in 1983, but many people still think of Abidjan as the main city because it has many important jobs.

Yamoussoukro is a special place because it has the largest Christian church in the whole world! This big church is called the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. A very important leader, Pope John Paul II, visited it when it was finished in 1990.

The city is about 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Abidjan. It is named after a queen called Yamoussou. The word “Kro” means “town” in the Baoule language.

Yamoussoukro has many interesting buildings, like schools, a town hall, and even an airport called the Yamoussoukro International Airport. People can enjoy different sports there, such as tennis and football.

The weather in Yamoussoukro is warm most of the year, with a wet season and a dry season. It is a nice place to visit and learn about Ivory Coast!