Yamoussoukro

Yamoussoukro is perhaps the single most bizzare modern city on Earth. It is a large grid of paved streets and lights with almost nothing at all in between them. It would seem that former President Felix Houphouet-Boigny's dream that his home town would become a busy capital city never came to fruition. Nevertheless "Yam" is worth a visit.

The main attraction for visitors is the Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix, a copy of the St. Peter's in Rome . The stain-glass windows are truly impressive. The 'market' is best avoided, there is a huge festering garbage dump in the middle that is a serious health hazard. Other than 3 'supermarkets' there is nothing worth buying or seeing there, it really resembles a shanty town.