Burkina Faso, also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a landlocked country in west Africa around 274,200 square kilometres (105,900 sq mi) in size. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togo and Ghana to the south; and Côte d’Ivoire to the southwest. Its capital is Ouagadougou. In 2010, its population was estimated at just under 15.75 million.
Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, the country was renamed “Burkina Faso” on 4 August 1984 by then-President Thomas Sankara, using a word from each of the country’s two major native languages, Mòoré and Dioula. Figuratively, “Burkina”, from Mòoré, may be translated as “men of integrity”, while “Faso” means “fatherland” in Dioula. “Burkino Faso” is thus meant to be understood as “Land of upright people” or “Land of honest people”. Inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabè
Burkina Faso is a member of the African Union, Community of Sahel-Saharan States, La Francophonie, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Economic Community of West African States.
Burkina Faso Country Information:
Capital
(and largest city) Ouagadougou
12°20′N 1°40′W
Official languages French
Recognised regional languages
Mòoré
Mandinka
Bambara
Ethnic groups (1995)
47.9% Mossi
10.3% Fulani
6.9% Lobi
6.9% Bobo
6.7% Mandé
5.3% Senufo
5.0% Grosi
4.8% Gurma
3.1% Tuareg
Demonym Burkinabé / Burkinabè / Burkinabe
Government Semi-presidential republic
– President Blaise Compaoré
– Prime Minister Luc-Adolphe Tiao
Legislature National Assembly
Independence
– from France 5 August 1960
Area
– Total 274,200 km2 (74th)
105,869 sq mi
– Water (%) 0.146%
Population
– 2010 estimate 15,730,977 (64th)
– 2006 census 14,017,262
– Density 57.4/km2 (145th)
148.9/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2011 estimate
– Total $22.042 billion
– Per capita $1,466
GDP (nominal) 2011 estimate
– Total $9.981 billion
– Per capita $664
Gini (2007) 39.5 (medium)
HDI (2007) Increase 0.389 (low) (177th)
Currency West African CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone (UTC+0)
– Summer (DST) not observed (UTC)
Drives on the right
Calling code 226
ISO 3166 code BF
Internet TLD .bf