OFFICIAL NAME:

Burkina Faso

Government

Type: Republic.
Independence: August 5, 1960.

Geography

Area: 274,200 sq. km. (106,000 sq. mi.)
Cities: Capital--Ouagadougou (pop. 1 million).
Other cities--Bobo-Dioulasso (410,000), Koudougou (83,000).
Terrain: Savanna; brushy plains and scattered hills.
Climate: Sahelian; pronounced wet and dry seasons.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Burkinabe (accent on last e).
Population (2005): 13.9 million.
Annual growth rate (2005): 2.53%.
Ethnic groups: 63 ethnic groups among which are Mossi (almost half of the total population), Bobo, Mande, Lobi, Fulani, Gourounsi, and Senufo.
Religions: Traditional beliefs 20%, Muslim 55%, Christian 25%.
Languages: French (official), Moore, Dioula, others.
Education: Literacy (2003)--26.6%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--95.57/1,000. Life expectancy (2003)--48.45 years.
Work force: Agriculture--90%; industry--2.1%; commerce, services, and government--5.5%.


Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in the middle of West Africa's "hump." It is geographically in the Sahel--the agricultural region between the Sahara Desert and the coastal rain forests. Most of central Burkina Faso lies on a savanna plateau, 200 meters-300 meters (650 ft.-1,000 ft.) above sea level, with fields, brush, and scattered trees. The largest river is the Mouhoun (Black Volta), which is partially navigable by small craft. Burkina Faso has West Africa's largest elephant population. Game preserves also are home to lions, hippos, monkeys, warthogs, and antelope. Infrastructure and tourism are, however, not well developed. Annual average rainfall varies from about 100 centimeters (40 in.) in the south to less than 25 centimeters (10 in.) in the north and northeast, where hot desert winds accentuate the dryness of the region. The cooler season, November to February, is pleasantly warm and dry (but dusty), with cool evenings. March-June can be very hot. In July-September, the rains bring a 3-month cooler and greener humid season.

Burkina Faso consistently produces silk purses from sows' ears; they come from one of the poorest countries in the world, but they are renowned for their don't-worry-be-happy optimism and have managed to fashion a beautiful and culturally sophisticated country out of the little resources they do have.

When To Go

As with most of West Africa, the best time to go is weather related. November to February are the cooler months of the year, although the dusty harmattan winds might temper your enthusiasm between the months of December and February.

Film enthusiasts won't want to miss Fespaco, Africa's premier film festival, which runs in odd-numbered years. The cultural festival begins early April.


source: wikipedia.org, lonelyplanet.com, about.com