Burkina Faso

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 Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The capital is Ouagadougou, referred to by locals, the Burkinabé, as "Waga". \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Burkina Faso

\n\n\n\n\n\n (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Unité, Progrès, Justice (French: Unity, Progress, Justice)
Official Language	French
Capital and Largest City	Ouagadougou
President	Blaise Compaoré
Prime Minister	Paramanga Ernest Yonli
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 72nd 274,200 km² 0.1%
Population \n  - Total (2003) \n  - Density	Ranked 64th\n 13,228,460 \n 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

\nMain 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 Côte d'Ivoire 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 Zerbo in 1980, which in turn was overthrown in 1982. A counter-coup was launched in 1983, which left Captain Thomas Sankara in charge.

Politics

\nMain article: Politics of Burkina Faso

Districts

\nMain 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

\nMain article: Geography of Burkina Faso

Economy

\nMain article: Economy of Burkina Faso

Demographics

\nMain article: Demographics of Burkina Faso

Culture

\nMain article: Culture of Burkina Faso see also: List of writers from Burkina Faso

Education

\nMain article: Education in Burkina Faso

Miscellaneous topics

• Music of Burkina Faso\n*Communications in Burkina Faso\n*Transportation in Burkina Faso\n*Military of Burkina Faso\n*Foreign relations of Burkina Faso\n*Holidays in Burkina Faso\n*Ambassadors to Burkina Faso

External links

\n* History of Burkina Faso (French only) Category:African countries\nCategory:Western Africa \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n