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Daloa

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Daloa is a major urban center located in western Ivory Coast. It serves as a vital administrative seat for several areas. It is the capital of the Sassandra-Marahoué District. It is also the seat of the Haut-Sassandra Region. The city functions as a sub-prefecture of the Daloa Department. It is also classified as a commune. Daloa is positioned to the west of Yamoussoukro. Yamoussoukro is the capital city of Ivory Coast.

Côte d'Ivoire ZDC
Côte d'Ivoire ZDC

As an economic hub, Daloa plays a significant role in regional commerce. It is an important trading center for various goods. The city is particularly known for the trade of cocoa. This crop is a major part of the local economy. Travelers can reach the city via the Daloa Airport. The city is also a center for religion. It is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Daloa. The Cathédrale du Christ-Roi serves as the cathedral for this diocese.

The population of Daloa is quite large. According to the 2014 census, the city had 245,360 residents. This figure makes Daloa the third-largest city in Ivory Coast. The people in the city often speak the Bété language. Bété is a Niger-Congo language. It belongs specifically to the Kru branch of that language family. The sub-prefecture of Daloa also includes thirty-four surrounding villages.

History shows that Daloa has faced periods of intense conflict. During the First Ivorian Civil War, the town was repeatedly contested. This war lasted from 2002 to 2004. On 16 October 2002, government troops took over the town. Following this takeover, fifty civilians from the north were allegedly killed. Amnesty International described these events as a massacre. They reported that people in military uniform killed individuals suspected of supporting the Patriotic Movement of Côte d'Ivoire. The killings were allegedly based on Muslim names or nationality. Victims were reportedly from Mali, Burkina Faso, or Guinea. Authorities ordered an inquiry but denied government responsibility. In March 2007, the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement was signed. This agreement between Laurent Gbagbo and Guillaume Soro included a general amnesty. This amnesty applied to most crimes, except for crimes against humanity and war crimes. In February 2012, the International Criminal Court decided to investigate the incident.

The natural environment near Daloa supports diverse wildlife. At least 30 amphibian species live in the area. Amphibians are animals like frogs and toads. Many species are recorded in the urban area. Some frogs, such as Leptopelis viridis, are very common near human settlements. Another species, Amietophysis maculatus, belongs to the Bufonidae family. The Hoplobatrachus occipitalis is also found here. This frog is commonly sold in markets for human consumption. Other families include Arthroleptidae, Dicroglossidae, and Hyperoliidae. There are also species from the Microhylidae and Ranidae families.

Daloa has strong international connections through twin town agreements. These partnerships allow cities to share ideas and culture. Daloa has been twinned with Campinas, Brazil, since 1982. It has also been twinned with Pau, France, since 1984. These relationships link the city to different continents.

Many notable individuals have roots in Daloa. The city has produced influential figures in many fields. Ernesto Djédjé was a well-known musician. Séry Bailly was an academic, politician, and short-story writer. Pierre Kipré is a historian and diplomat. The city is also linked to sports through the Celtic footballer Vakoun Issouf Bayo. These people represent the diverse talents found within the community.

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File:Côte d'Ivoire ZDC.png
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