Sassandra | |
---|---|
Town, sub-prefecture, and commune | |
Location in Ivory Coast | |
Coordinates: 4°57′N 6°5′W / 4.950°N 6.083°WCoordinates: 4°57′N 6°5′W / 4.950°N 6.083°W | |
Country | Ivory Coast |
District | Bas-Sassandra |
Region | Gbôklé |
Department | Sassandra |
Population (2014) | |
• Total | 72,221 |
Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) |
Sassandra is a town in southern Ivory Coast. It is a sub-prefecture of and the seat of Sassandra Department. It is also a commune and the seat of Gbôklé Region in Bas-Sassandra District.
Sassandra lies on the Gulf of Guinea at the mouth of the Sassandra River. The town was founded by the Portuguese as Santo André and was later run by the British, then the French as a seaport for timber. The town declined in the 1960s after San Pédro's port was completed. Sassandra's main industry is now fishing.
Sassandra is known for its beaches and lighthouse, while the Gaoulou National Park lies nearby. It is served by Sassandra Airport.