Burkina Faso

In Short

• Population: 12.8 million (via UN, 2006)
• Capital: Ouagadougou
• Area: 274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles)
• Major languages: French, indigenous languages
• Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
• Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 48 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Cotton, animal products, gold
• GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2006)
• Internet domain: .bf
• International dialling code: +226

Geography

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country of approximately 274,000 square kilometres, located in the heart of Western Africa, approximately 600 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Ouagadougou, the capital city, counts some one million inhabitants. The country borders Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km.
Three principal rivers run through the country: The Mouhoun in the west and the Nazinon and the Nakembé, which cut across the flat relief in the center of the country. High plains of about 1000 to 1300 feet comprise the major part of the territory, though a few elevations dot the country. The highest, Mount Tenakourou in the west near the border with Mali, measures 2500 feet, followed by the peak of Nahouri in the South. The North is Sahelian and arid; the central region is savanna; the South and Southwest are covered by wooded savanna. The most fertile and rich soils are located in the Southwest, the South and partly the East.
Burkina Faso is divided into 45 provinces, each of which is administered by a High Commissioner. The provinces are, in turn, divided into 382 departments, including 33 communes and more than 8,000 villages. The name of the province reflects the historical background of the region, or is connected to a geographical fact.

The 45 provinces are: Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweog

The People

Burkina Faso is renowned for its hospitality, friendliness, integrity, and tranquil lifestyle. Visitors will love that aspect of Burkina Faso where hospitality which is rooted in the burkinabe culture is found virtually in any part of the country.

Burkina Faso is economically speaking a poor country. Poverty has a strong grip on many villages of the country and undermines the well-being of the people. In spite of that, villagers have a strong sense of community, hospitality, integrity, dignity, love and sharing.

Climate

The tropical weather in Burkina Faso is divided into two seasons: the dry season from November to May (with a cool and dry period from November to February, and hot weather from March to May), and the rainy season from June to October. The weather in Burkina, generally speaking, is healthy, sunny, warm and dry. The average temperature is 60oF (15oC) at night, and 85oF (30oC) during the day, except in the dry season when temperatures may rise to over 100oF (38oC). Average rainfall is approximately 40 inches in the South, to less than 10 inches in the North and Northeast. Burkina Faso's tropical climate sees little relief from the heat, with dense humidity making things particularly squirmish from May to October. The dusty and dry months yield days above 40°C (104°F) and sandy harmattan winds blow incessantly between December and February. The hottest time of the year is between March and June when the mercury can rise well above 40°C in the capital.

Money