BANCO NATIONAL PARK

French Parc National du Banco national park, southeastern Cte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). It lies immediately north of Abidjan, the national capital. Declared a national park in 1953, Banco preserves both flora and fauna in some 116 square miles (300 square km). Gigantic rain-forest trees occupy most of the park; an arboretum displays trees (especially teak) and shrubs from all over the country. African civet, genet, bushbuck, duiker, and monkey roam the park in a natural environment and live with little or no human interference. The park serves primarily as a recreational centre for the inhabitants of Abidjan.