Yamoussoukro

Town (pop., 2003 est.: 185,600), capital designate of Côte d'Ivoire. From 1960 to 1993 it served as the country's “second capital” because it was the birthplace, home, and unofficial headquarters of Pres. Félix Houphouët-Boigny. It was designated the official capital in 1983 and shares some of the functions of the former national capital, Abidjan. Fishing and forestry are important to its economy. It is the site of the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Paix, the world's largest Christian church, an almost exact replica of St. Peter's in Rome.