Overview of Bouaké

Bouake is the second largest city in Côte d'Ivoire. It is located north of Abidjan and is home to the native Baoule people. It is on the main road and rail lines from Abidjan to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and is the commercial and transportation center for the interior. It has the oldest textile mill in the nation. With its own airport, one can easily connect from Abidjan. The main economic activity of the city includes cotton production, rice, textiles, building materials and tobacco.

Bouaké is the center for Côte d'Ivoire's educational television programming. There is a Benedictine monastery constructed with interesting local materials. It has also several mosques. Popular local weavers work in nearby villages. Many visitors make special trips to Katiola, north of the city, where a factory outlet sells distinctive pottery. The city is also famous for its Bouake carnival that starts in March and ends at the beginning of April.

Several good hotels and a large market are among the popular spots in Bouaké. A major tourist attraction is the sacred forest of Foro-Foro, several miles outside the city.