Burkina Faso

     From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation of western Africa. Formerly called Upper Volta, it was renamed in 1984 by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Mossi and Dyula, the major native languages of the country. Independence from France came in 1960. Governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred-thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

The capital is Ouagadougou, referred to by locals, the Burkinabe, as "Waga".

Burkina Faso

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Unite, Progres, Justice (French: Unity, Progress, Justice)
Official Language	French
Capital and Largest City	Ouagadougou
President	Blaise Compaore
Prime Minister	Paramanga Ernest Yonli
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 72nd 274,200 km² 0.1%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 64th 13,228,460 46/km²
Independence  - Date	From France August 5, 1960
Currency	CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone	UTC
National anthem	Une Seule Nuit (One Single Night)
Internet TLD	.BF
Calling Code	226

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Districts 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Education 9 Miscellaneous topics 10 External links

History

Main article: History of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso was colonised in the 1890s by France, defeating the native Mossi. It was originally administered as part of Ivory Coast colony, but became a separate colony in 1919, then was later stripped of that status. It was restored again in 1947.

It achieved self-government in 1958, and full independence in 1960. Its first military coup occurred in 1966, then returned to civilian rule in 1978. There was another coup, led by Saye Zambo in 1980, which in turn was overthrown in 1982. A counter-coup was launched in 1983, which left Captain Thomas Sankara in charge.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Burkina Faso

Districts

Main article: Administrative divisions of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso is divided into 45 provinces: Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo

Geography

Main article: Geography of Burkina Faso

Economy

Main article: Economy of Burkina Faso

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Burkina Faso

Culture

Main article: Culture of Burkina Faso see also: List of writers from Burkina Faso

Education

Main article: Education in Burkina Faso

Miscellaneous topics

• Music of Burkina Faso
• Communications in Burkina Faso
• Transportation in Burkina Faso
• Military of Burkina Faso
• Foreign relations of Burkina Faso
• Holidays in Burkina Faso

External links

• History of Burkina Faso (French only)