| Burkina Faso | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Motto "Unité, Progrès, Justice" (French) "Unity, Progress, Justice" | ||||||
| Anthem Une Seule Nuit (French) One Single Night | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) | Ouagadougou | |||||
| Official languages | French | |||||
| Demonym | Burkinabé | |||||
| Government | Semi-presidential republic | |||||
| - | President | Blaise Compaoré | ||||
| - | Prime Minister | Tertius Zongo | ||||
| Independence | from France | |||||
| - | Date | August 5 1960 | ||||
| - | Water (%) | 0.1% | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | 2005 estimate | 13,228,000 (66th) | ||||
| - | 1996 census | 10,312,669 | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2005 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $16.845 billion1 (117th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $1,284 (163rd) | ||||
| HDI (2004) | ){kind=icon} 0.342 (low) (174th) | |||||
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) | |||||
| Time zone | GMT | |||||
| Internet TLD | .bf | |||||
| Calling code | +226 | |||||
| 1 | The data here is an estimation for the year 2005 produced by the International Monetary Fund in April 2005. | 2 | ||||
Burkina Faso, also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on August 4, 1984, by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Moré and Dioula, the major native languages of the country. Literally, "Burkina" may be translated, "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. 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 in search of paid labour. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabé (pronounced [burːkiˈːnaːbae]).
History
Early History
Like all of the west of Africa, Burkina Faso was populated early, notably by hunter-gatherers in the northwestern part of the country (12,000 to 5000 BC), and whose tools (scrapers, chisels and arrowheads) were discovered in 1973. Settlements appeared between 3600 and 2600 BC with farmers, the traces of whose structures leave the impression of relatively permanent buildings. The use of iron, ceramics and polished stone developed between 1500 and 1000 BC, as well as a preoccupation with spiritual matters, as shown by the burial remains which have been discovered.Relics of the Dogon are found in the centre-north, north and north west region. They left the area between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries BC to settle in the cliffs of Bandiagara. Elsewhere, the remains of high walls are localised in the southwest of Burkina Faso (as well as in the Côte d'Ivoire), but the people who built them have not yet been definitely identified.
Burkina Faso was a very important economic region for the Songhai Empire during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
From colony to independence
After a decade of intense rivalry and competition between the British and the French, waged through treaty making expeditions under military or civilian explorers, in 1896, the Mossi kingdom of Ouagadougou was defeated by French colonial forces and became a French protectorate. The western region, where a standoff against the forces of the powerful ruler Samori Ture complicated the situation, and the eastern region came under French occupation in 1897 following different campaigns. By 1898, the majority of the territory corresponding to Burkina Faso today was nominally conquered, although control of many parts remained precarious. The French and British convention of June 14, 1898, ended the scramble between the two colonial powers and basically traced the borders between them. On the French side a war of conquest against local communities and political powers continued for about five years. In the 1904 large-scale reorganization of the French West African colonial empire, the now largely pacified territories of the Volta basin were integrated into the Upper-Senegal-Niger (Haut-Sénégal et Niger) colony of French West Africa (AOF). The colony had its capital in Bamako.Draftees from the territory participated in the European fronts of First World War in the battalions of the Senegalese Infantry (Tirailleurs sénégalais). Between 1915 and 1916 the districts in the western part of what is now Burkina Faso and the bordering eastern fringe of Mali became the stage of one of the most important armed oppositions to colonial government (known as the Volta-Bani War). The French government finally suppressed the movement, but only after suffering defeats and being forced to gather the largest expeditionary force of its colonial history up to then. Armed opposition also wrecked the Sahelian north, as the Tuareg and allied groups of the Dori region ended their truce with the government. Once the First World War was over, on March 1, 1919, fear of recurrence of armed uprising and economic considerations led the colonial government to separate the present territory of Burkina Faso from Haut Sénégal et Niger so as to intensify its administration. The new colony was named Haute Volta and François Charles Alexis Édouard Hesling became its first governor. Hesling initiated an ambitious road making program and promoted cotton growing for export. The cotton policy, based on coercion, failed and revenue stagnated. The colony was dismantled on September 5, 1932, and its territory divided between Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Niger, the largest share with most of the population and the cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso passing to Côte d'Ivoire.
The decision was reversed during the intense anti-colonial agitation that followed the end of the Second World War and on September 4 1947 Upper Volta was recreated in its 1932 boundaries. On December 11 1958, it achieved self-government, and became a republic and member of the Franco-African Community (La Communauté Franco-Africaine). Full independence was attained in 1960. The country's first military coup occurred in 1966; which returned 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 brought the charismatic Captain Thomas Sankara to leadership. In 1984 the revolutionary government changed the name of the country to Burkina Faso, its flag, and its national anthem. The current president is Blaise Compaoré, who came to power in 1987 after a coup d'état that killed Thomas Sankara.
Politics
The parliament consists of two chambers: the lower house (l'Assemblée Nationale) and the upper house (la Chambre des Représentants). There is also a constitutional chamber, composed of ten members, and an economic and social council whose roles are purely consultative.
Regions, provinces, and departments
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Regions of Burkina Faso.
- Boucle du Mouhoun
- Cascades
- Centre
- Centre-Est
- Centre-Nord
- Centre-Ouest
- Centre-Sud
- Est
- Hauts-Bassins
- Nord
- Plateau-Central
- Sahel
- Sud-Ouest
Geography
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Map of Burkina Faso
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Tolotama reforestation, Burkina Faso.
- The larger part of the country is covered by a peneplain which forms a gently undulating landscape with, in some areas, a few isolated hills, the last vestiges of a precambrian massif.
- The south-west of the country forms a sandstone massif, where the highest peak is found: Ténakourou (749 m, 2,450 ft). The massif is bordered by sheer cliffs up to 150 metres (490 ft) high.
Hydrography
The country owed its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers which cross it: the Mouhoun (formerly called the Black Volta), the Nakambé (the White Volta) and the Nazinon (the Red Volta). The Mouhoun, along with the Comoé which flows to the south west, is the country's only river which flows year-roundThe basin of the Niger River also drains 27% of the country's surface. Its tributaries (the Béli, the Gorouol, the Goudébo and the Dargol) are seasonal streams, and only flow for 4 to 6 months a year but can cause large floods.
The country also contains numerous lakes. The principal lakes are Tingrela, Bam and Dem, and the large ponds of Oursi, Béli, Yomboli and Markoye.
Water shortages are often a problem, especially in the north of the country.
Climate
Burkina Faso has a primarily tropical climate with two very distinct seasons: the rainy season with between 24-35 inches (600 and 900 mm) of rainfall, and the dry season during which the harmattan blows, a hot dry wind from the Sahara. The rainy season lasts approximately 4 months, May/June to September, and is shorter in the north of the country.Three large climatic zones can be defined:
Sahel Zone
The Sahel in the north typically receives less than 24 inches (600 mm)[1] rainfall a year and high temperatures 5–47 °C (40–115 °F). A relatively dry tropical savanna, the Sahel extends beyond the borders of Burkina Faso, from the Horn of Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, and borders the Sahara to its north, and the fertile region of the Sudan to the South. Extreme temperatures recorded are 5.5C and 47.0C.Sudan-Sahel zone
Situated between 11°3' and 13°5' north latitude, the Sudan-Sahel region is a transitional zone with regards to rainfall and temperature.Sudan-Guinea zone
Further to the south, the Sudan-Guinea zone receives more than 35 inches (900 mm)[1] rain a year and cooler average temperatures.Natural resources
Burkina Faso has many natural resources, including; manganese, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt and small deposits of gold.Economy
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Tarfila Farming Group
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Shop in Burkina Faso.
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Vendors in Burkina Faso.
Lack of work causes a high rate of emigration: for example, three million people from Burkina Faso live in Côte d'Ivoire. According to the Central Bank of Western African States (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest), these migrants send tens of billions of Euros back to Burkina Faso each year. Since the 1967 expulsions from Ghana, this situation has provoked tensions in the destination countries. The most recent crisis occurred owing to the events of 2003 in Côte d'Ivoire, which led to the return of 300,000 migrants.
A large part of the economic activity of the country is funded by international aid.
The currency of Burkina Faso is the CFA franc.
There is mineral exploitation of copper, iron, manganese and, above all, gold.
Burkina Faso also hosts the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou, better known by its French name as SIAO, Le Salon International de L Artisanat de Ouagadougou, one of the most important African handicraft fairs.
Demographics
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United Nations Square in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Sala Well
Population growth rate: 3.00% (2006)
The population is concentrated in the south and center of the country, sometimes exceeding 48 per square kilometer (125/sq. mi.). This high population density, causes annual migrations of hundreds of thousands, for seasonal employment.
Approximately 50% of the population is Muslim; Christians account for about 30%, and followers of traditional African religions (typically animism of various forms) make up about 20%. Many Christians incorporate elements of animism into their religious practices.
Culture
- See also List of writers from Burkina Faso, Music of Burkina Faso and Cinema of Burkina Faso.
Education
There is also an International School of Ouagadougou (ISO), which is an American-based private school located in the capital city, Ouagadougou.
The United Nations Development Program Report places Burkina Faso as the most illiterate country in the world, with only a 12.8% literacy rate. (See List of countries by literacy rate.)
See also
References
1. ^ SIM Country Profile: Burkina Faso. Retrieved on August 5, 2006.
2. ^ [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html CIA World Factbook, GDP Per Capita Rank Order].
2. ^ [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html CIA World Factbook, GDP Per Capita Rank Order].
External links
Research Charities Culture- Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)
- "The Art of Burkina Faso" By Christopher D. Roy
- Photos and stories of life in the North of Burkina Faso
- Photos from Burkina Faso
- Photographs of daily life in Burkina Faso (1970-2004)
- Listen to "Fulbe" (Fulani) music
- Women authors from Burkina Faso at a glance''
- Encyclopedia of the Nations: Burkina Faso
- Premier Ministère official government portal (in French)
- Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington, DC government information and links
- Aid organization, photos and videos from Burkina Faso
- allAfrica - Burkina Faso news headline links
- BBC News - Country Profile: Burkina Faso
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Country Page - Burkina Faso
- CIA World Factbook entry on [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/.html Burkina Faso]
- Open Directory Project - Burkina Faso directory category
- Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: Burkina Faso directory category
- University of Pennsylvania - African Country Studies: Burkina Faso
- Yahoo! - Burkina Faso directory category
- OuagaNet.com: A portal site about Burkina Faso English/French
- Fasosante.net: A portal site about Health in Burkina Faso /French
- Burkina Faso map and information page by World Atlas
- Burkina Faso's location on a 3D globe (Java)
- Africa: Burkina Faso
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French (français, pronounced [fʁɑ̃ˈsɛ]) is a Romance language originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and today by about 300 million people around the world as either
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- For the Radiohead song, see "The National Anthem".
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Une Seule Nuit (also known as L'Hymne de la victoire or Ditanyè) is the national anthem of Burkina Faso. It was written by the former president Thomas Sankara and adopted in 1984, when the country adopted its present name, and replaced the
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French (français, pronounced [fʁɑ̃ˈsɛ]) is a Romance language originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and today by about 300 million people around the world as either
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capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has a second meaning based on an alternative sense of "capital") is the center of government.
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Burkina Faso's 10 million people belong to two major West African cultural groups--the Voltaic and the Mande. The Voltaic are far more numerous and include the Mossi, who make up about one-half of the population.
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Ouagadougou (IPA: /ˌwɑgəˈduːguː/, Mossi IPA: [wɑgədəgə]) is the capital of Burkina Faso.
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An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. It is typically the language used in a nation's legislative bodies, though the law in many nations requires that government documents be produced in other
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French (français, pronounced [fʁɑ̃ˈsɛ]) is a Romance language originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and today by about 300 million people around the world as either
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A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. In English, the name of a people's language is often the same as this word, e.g., the "French" (language or people).
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government is a body that has the power to make and the authority to enforce rules and laws within a civil, corporate, religious, academic, or other organization or group.[1]
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republic, for all other uses see: republic (disambiguation)
List of forms of government
List of forms of government
- Anarchism
- Aristocracy
- Authoritarianism
- Autocracy
- Communist state
- Democracy
- Direct democracy
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Burkina Faso
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
- President
- Blaise Compaor
- Prime Minister
- Tertius Zongo
- National Assembly
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Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951) has been the president of Burkina Faso since 1987. He is the founder of the ruling political party, the Congress for Democracy and Progress.
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Burkina Faso
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
- President
- Blaise Compaor
- Prime Minister
- Tertius Zongo
- National Assembly
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Burkina Faso
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of Burkina Faso
- President
- Blaise Compaor
- Prime Minister
- Tertius Zongo
- National Assembly
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Independence is the self-government of a nation, country, or state by its residents and population, or some portion thereof, generally exercising sovereignty.
The term independence is used in contrast to subjugation,
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The term independence is used in contrast to subjugation,
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Motto
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"
Anthem
"La Marseillaise"
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Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"
Anthem
"La Marseillaise"
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August 5 is the 1st day of the year (2nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 0 days remaining.
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Events
- 642 - Battle of Maserfeld - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia.
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19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1930s 1940s 1950s - 1960s - 1970s 1980s 1990s
1957 1958 1959 - 1960 - 1961 1962 1963
Year 1960 (MCMLX
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1930s 1940s 1950s - 1960s - 1970s 1980s 1990s
1957 1958 1959 - 1960 - 1961 1962 1963
Year 1960 (MCMLX
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Water is a common chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life.[1] In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or state, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor.
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In mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100 (per cent meaning "per hundred"). It is often denoted using the percent sign, "%". For example, 45 % (read as "forty-five percent") is equal to 45 / 100, or 0.45.
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population is the collection of people or organisms of a particular species living in a given geographic area or mortality, and migration, though the field encompasses many dimensions of population change including the family (marriage and divorce), public health, work and the
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list of countries ordered according to population. The list includes and ranks sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories. Figures are based on the most recent estimate or projection by the national census authority where available and generally rounded off.
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gross domestic product, or GDP, is one of the ways for measuring the size of its economy. The GDP of a country is defined as the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time (usually a calendar year).
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The purchasing power parity (PPP) theory was developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920. It is the method of using the long-run equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize the currencies' purchasing power.
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There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). The GDP dollar estimates given on this page are derived from Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) calculations.
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Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head.
It is usually used in the field of statistics to indicate the average per person for any given concern, e.g. income, crime rate.
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It is usually used in the field of statistics to indicate the average per person for any given concern, e.g. income, crime rate.
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