Burkina Faso

The territory covers 106,000 square miles (274,223 square kilometers) of flat savanna landscape with three main rivers, the Black, Red and White Voltas, which cross the country and support agriculture during the rainy season from June to October.

After gaining independence from France in 1960 as Upper Volta, the territory was renamed in 1984 by President Thomas Sankara, whose revolutionary policies emphasized self-sufficiency and social reforms before his overthrow in a 1987 coup.

The Mossi represent the most populous ethnic group, having founded powerful kingdoms around Ouagadougou and Tenkodogo between the 11th and 13th centuries, whose hierarchical structures continue to influence social organization and land distribution today.

French serves as the official language for administration and education, while the population communicates through more than 60 indigenous languages in daily life, including Mossi, Fula and Gourmantche, with a visa required prior to arrival.

The territory holds substantial gold deposits that have become a major export commodity, and hosts the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, which has celebrated African cinema biennially since 1969.

Inception: 1960

Capital city: Ouagadougou

Part of: West Africa

Shares border with: Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Togo

Website: https://gouvernement.gov.bf/accueil

GPS coordinates: 12.07531,-1.68803

Latest update: November 30, 2025 18:35