Burkina Faso - Country facts
Location
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Background
Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.
Climate
tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Terrain
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
Population
13,925,313
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to A
Ethnic Groups
Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani
Religions
indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Languages
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Map of Burkina Faso
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