Country Profile · No. 5

Burkina Faso

Capital / Admin Capital

OuagadougouPopulation: ~24.6MIndependence: 1960 (August 5)

First President

Maurice Yaméogo (1960–1966)Current President: Ibrahim Traoré (Interim President/Military leader since September 2022)

Geography & Borders

Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast. Landlocked nation located in the West African Sahel.

Demographics & Language

Islam (~63%), Christianity (~26%), indigenous traditional beliefs (~9%). Official: French language. National: Mooré, Dioula, Fula. Major groups: Mossi (~52%), Fulani / Peul (~8%), Gurunsi (~6%).

Economy & GDP

Gold mining, agriculture (cotton, sorghum, sesame, livestock).

Global Diaspora

1. Ivory Coast (~3M–4M), 2. Ghana (~500k), 3. Mali (~100k), 4. United States (~10k–15k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): New York (New York City), Maryland (Silver Spring), Virginia (Arlington).

Major Conflicts

Agacher Strip War (1985, brief border war with Mali), Mossi resistance against French colonization (late 19th century), Jihadist insurgency in the Sahel (2015–present), 2022 military coups.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Ruins of Loropéni (Mysterious stone fortress ruins designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site linked to the gold trade), 2. Sindou Peaks (Dramatic, needle-like sandstone rock formations carved by wind and water erosion), 3. Nazinga Game Ranch (A protected wildlife reserve famous for close-up viewing of elephants, crocodiles, and antelopes).

Quick Facts

Formerly known as Upper Volta before being renamed in 1984 by revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara; hosts the prestigious FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou).