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Burkina Faso

Continent: Africa

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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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. Former President Blaise COMPAORE (1987-2014) resigned in late October 2014 following popular protests against his efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration organized presidential and legislative elections - finally held in November 2015 - where Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president. The country experienced terrorist attacks in its capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and continues to mobilize resources to counter terrorist threats. Burkina Faso's high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens.

Location

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Area Comparative

Slightly larger than Colorado

Maritime Claims

none (landlocked)

Climate
Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Natural Hazards

Recurring droughts

Environment Current Issues

Recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
Year

Map Reference

  • Africa

Irrigated Land

  • 550 sq km

Area 2018

  • Total
    274,200 sq km
  • Land
    273,800 sq km
  • Water
    400 sq km

Coastline

  • 0 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 13 00 N, 2 00 W

Land use 2018

  • Agricultural Land
    43%
  • Arable Land
    20.8%
  • Forest
    20.4%
  • Other
    36.6%

Terrain

  • Mostly flat to dissected
  • Undulating plains; hills in west and southeast

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    3,611 km
  • Benin
    386 km
  • Cote D'Ivoire
    545 km
  • Ghana
    602 km
  • Mali
    1325 km
  • Niger
    622 km
  • Togo
    131 km

Natural Resources

  • Manganese
  • Limestone
  • Marble; small deposits of gold
  • Phosphates
  • Pumice
  • Salt
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