Burkina Faso

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Burkina Faso (orthographic projection)
Location Burkina Faso AU Africa.svg
Africa de l'Oèst en 1875-es
MossiCavalry
Pg381 Des hommes sur les toits s'opposent.jpg

Burkina Faso
Motto: "Unité, Progrès, Justice" ("Unity, Progress, Justice")
Anthem: "Une Seule Nuit" ("One Single Night")
Capital
and largest city
Ouagadougou
Official languagesFrench
National languagesMòoré, Dioula, Fula
Ethnic groups
Mossi, Gurunsi, Senufo, Bobo, Gourmantché, Lobi, Tuareg, Peul
GovernmentUnitary semi-presidential republic
• President
Ibrahim Traoré
Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla
Area
• Total
272,967 km2 (105,393 sq mi) (74th)
Population
• 2022 estimate
21,510,181
• Density
78.8/km2 (204.1/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)2022 estimate
• Total
$45.1 billion
• Per capita
$2,100
GDP (nominal)2022 estimate
• Total
$17.3 billion
• Per capita
$800
CurrencyCFA franc (XOF)
Time zoneUTC±0 (GMT)
Driving sideright
Calling code+226
ISO 3166 code[[ISO 3166-2:BF

|BF

]]
Internet TLD.bf


Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.

History[edit | edit source]

The territory of Burkina Faso was originally inhabited by various ethnic groups, including the Mossi, who established powerful kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Ouagadougou. The region became part of the French colonial empire in the late 19th century and was known as Upper Volta until it gained independence on August 5, 1960. The country was renamed Burkina Faso on August 4, 1984, by then-President Thomas Sankara, combining words from the Mòoré and Dioula languages to mean "Land of Incorruptible People."

Geography[edit | edit source]

Burkina Faso covers an area of 272,967 square kilometers and has a primarily tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The country is characterized by a savanna landscape, with the Sahel region in the north and more fertile lands in the south.

Politics[edit | edit source]

Burkina Faso is a semi-presidential republic with a President serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The country has experienced several coups and political instability since its independence. The current President is Ibrahim Traoré, and the Prime Minister is Apollinaire Joachim Kyélem de Tambèla.

Economy[edit | edit source]

The economy of Burkina Faso is largely based on agriculture, which employs about 80% of the workforce. Major crops include sorghum, millet, maize, and cotton. The country also has significant reserves of gold, which is a major export product.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Burkina Faso has a population of approximately 21.5 million people. The official language is French, but many indigenous languages are also spoken, including Mòoré, Dioula, and Fula. The population is composed of various ethnic groups, with the Mossi being the largest.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Burkina Faso is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and festivals. The country hosts the biennial FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou), which is one of the most important film festivals in Africa.

Education and Health[edit | edit source]

The education system in Burkina Faso faces challenges such as low enrollment rates and high dropout rates. The country has made efforts to improve access to education, particularly for girls. The healthcare system also faces challenges, including limited access to medical facilities and a shortage of healthcare professionals.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD