Key Facts about Burkina Faso
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News: Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, was once a French colony and now faces political instability, poverty, and growing insecurity.

About Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Source- BBC
  • Capital– Ouagadougou: The largest city and administrative center
  • Geography:
    • Location: West Africa, landlocked.
    • Bordering countries: Mali (northwest), Niger (northeast), Benin (southeast), Togo and Ghana (south), and Ivory Coast (southwest).
    • Terrain: Dominated by a savanna plateau with fields, scattered trees, and brush.
    • Highest Point: Ténakourou (749 meters).
    • Rivers: Includes the Mouhoun (Black Volta), Nakambe (White Volta), and Nazinon (Red Volta).
    • Climate: Ranges from semi-arid in the north (Sahel region) to tropical in the south.
  • History and Name:
    • Colonial Past: Formerly a French colony known as Upper Volta.
    • Renaming: Became Burkina Faso in 1984 under President Thomas Sankara
  • People and Culture:
    • Languages: Official language is French, with about 70 languages spoken, including Moore, Dioula, and Fula.
    • Ethnic Groups: Mossi is the largest ethnic group.

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