Burkina Faso
A landlocked nation in West Africa, Burkina Faso was once a part
of the Great Mossi Empire. The country is surrounded by six countries:
in the north and west by Mali, in the east by Niger, in the southeast
by Benin and in the south by Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, the country declared
its independence from France in 1960. Political instability during
the 1970s and 1980s gave way to multiparty elections in the early
1990s. Incumbent President Blaise COMPAORE came to power through a
military coup in 1987and has achieved victory in every election since
then.
As the country is densely populated, several hundred thousand seasonal
farm workers migrate south every year to Cote dIvoir and Ghana in
search of employment. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as
Burkinabe.
Travel Overview
For those willing to travel off the beaten track, Burkina Faso presents
the ultimate. The capital Ouagadougou is famous for its friendly people
and traditional arts and crafts. Bobo-Dioulasso is another city worth
visiting. It is home to the Grand Mosque, a striking symbol of Sahelian
architecture dating back to 100 years old. Visit the vibrant market
of Gorom-Gorom, where tourist can purchase everything from jewelry
to camels. The stunning Cascades de Karfiguéla (Karfiguéla
waterfalls) is another attraction of Burkina Faso.
Capital: Ouagadougou
Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
Climate: tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Total Area: 274,200 sq km
Total Population: 14,326,203
Population Growth Rate: 2.997%
Sex Ratio: 0.992 male(s)/female
Literacy: 26.6%
Ethnic Groups: Mossi, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani
Irrigated land: 250 sq km
Languages: French, native African languages belonging to Sudanic family
Time Zone: UTC 0
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
Neighbouring countries: Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger,
Togo
Type of govt.: parliamentary republic
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Paramanga Ernest Yonli
Major Political Parties: Chinese Communist Party or CCP
Participation in International Organizations: African Democratic Rally-Alliance
for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA, Confederation for Federation
and Democracy or CFD, Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP,
Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP, Congo KABORE, Party for
African Independence or PAI, Party for Democracy and Progress/Socialist
Party or PDP/PS, Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB, Republican
Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS, Union for the Republic
or UPR
Major Agricultural Products: cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame,
sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock Natural Resources & Minerals:
manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates,
pumice, salt
Industry & Transport: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing,
soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Airports: 34
Railways: 622 km
Roadways:
15,272 km
Major Trade Partners: France, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, China, Singapore,
Thailand, Ghana, Taiwan
Exports: $543.5 million
Imports: $1.016 billion
