The Ivory Coast, a leading cocoa producer, is holding elections on Saturday, with President Alassane Ouattara expected to win a fourth term amidst rising tensions and a history of political violence.

• The country experienced three decades of stability after gaining independence in 1960, followed by significant crises, including a civil war in 2002.
• The Ivory Coast is the world's top producer of cacao, with a projected economic growth of 6.4 percent this year and next, fueled by oil and gas.
• Over the last 60 years, the nation has lost 90 percent of its forests due to cacao plantations, severely impacting wildlife populations.
• The Ivory Coast maintains strong ties with France, its former colonial power, contrasting with neighboring Sahel countries.
• The country is a major hub for reggae and dance music, producing internationally known artists like Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly.