Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou is the capital city in central Burkina Faso and the country's largest settlement, home to over two million people. The city spreads across flat terrain and is organized through wide streets, clay-brick residential neighborhoods, and modern buildings around administrative centers.

French troops reached the area in 1896 and made the settlement the capital of Upper Volta in 1919, which led to rebuilding efforts. Following independence in 1960, the city remained the political center and experienced rapid growth over the following decades.

The name comes from the Mòoré language and means "land of honest people," a phrase adopted in 1983 to replace the colonial title. Markets fill with merchants selling West African fabrics, handwoven baskets, and bronze castings that locals use in daily life and ceremonies.

Thomas Sankara International Airport links the city with destinations across West Africa, while local taxis and minibuses reach most neighborhoods. Visitors should prepare for dusty roads and carry enough drinking water, especially during the hot months.

The city experiences three seasons shaped by harmattan and monsoon winds, with temperatures climbing to 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) during hot periods. During the dry season, fine desert dust sweeps through the streets and turns the sky orange and gray.

Location: Ouagadougou Department

Inception: 1050

Elevation above the sea: 305 m

GPS coordinates: 12.36861,-1.52750

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00