| |
 |
| |
|
| Official
Name : |
RÉPUBLIQUE
DEMOCRATIQUE DE BURKINA FASO (Democratic Republic of Burkina Faso) |
| Land
Area: |
274,120
sq kilometres / 105,810 sq miles. |
| Population: |
11,575,000
(est 1999). Density 42 persons per square kilometre. |
| Languages: |
French
(Official), Moré, Mande, Fulani, Lobi, Bobo, Dioula, Gourmantché. |
| Religions: |
Traditional
65%, Muslim 25%, Christian 10%. |
| Capital: |
Ouagadougou.
(pop 442,000) |
| Currency: |
CFA
franc, divided into 100 centimes. |
| Political: |
Independence
from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Repeated military
coups during the 1970s and 1980s. President Blaise Compaore has been the Chief
of State president since 15 October 1987 elected by popular vote. Prime Minister
Ernest Paramanga Yonli has been the Head of Government since 6 November 2000.
|
| Geography: |
Burkina
Faso is an arid landlocked country with semidesert in the north and wooded Savanna
in the south. Three major rivers, the Mouhoun (formerly Volta Noir), Nakambe (Volta
Blanc) and Nazinon (Volta Rouge) water the plains, but settlement in the valley
is sparse due to the prevalence of river blindness and malaria. |
