General Facts :

Surface: 274.200 km²
Population: 9.242.000 inhabitants
Density of population: 34 inhabitants/km²
Capital: Ouagadougou (442.000 inhabitants)
Exported products: sorghum, millet, cotton
Official language: French
Official currency: franc
Brut Intern Product: 247 million $
State type: Republic

Geographical Characteristics :

The country is situated in the west of Africa. Most of the country's surface is covered by a plateau in steps which is inclined to the Niger River (NE) and falls steep to the north-west. It is covered by a series of eroded mountain chains; the highest peak is Tenekorou Peak with a height of 749 m.

Climate, Vegetation and Faun :

The climate is tropical with irregular rainfalls. In the south of the country the mediu m amount of rainfall is 1.000 mm per year and in north and north-east the amount of rainfall is 250 mm annually. The plateau is drained by the three Volta: Black Volta, Red Volta and White Volta. The vegetation is luxuriant in the rainy season and the faun is relative rich.

Population and Cities :

The country has 9.242.000 inhabitants except almost 2 millions who live abroad, especially in Ivory Coast. The birth rate is 47.1‰ and the death rate is 18.4‰. Only 9% of the population lives in cities. The most important cities are: Bobo-Dioulasso (229.000 inhabitants), Koudougou (52.000 inhabitants), Ouahigouya (39.000 inhabitants) and Banfora (35.000 inhabitants). The capital of the country is Ouagadougou and has 442.000 inhabitants. Almost 100% of the population is black. Only approximately 4.000 people are white. The densest region regarding population is the Mossi Plateau in the north of the country where there is a double number of populations. The most important religions are: Animism (50-70%), Islamism (35%) and Catholicism.

State :

The country is a parliamentary republic according to the Constitution in 1991. The legislative activity is exerted by the President and the People's Deputies Assembly and the executive one by a cabinet named by the President. The political parties are 19 and some of them are: the Popular Front, the National Convention of Progressive Patriots, the Alliance for Democracy and Federation and the Patriotic League for Development.

Economy :

The economy is based on agriculture which isn't so developed and concentrates ¾ of the active population. Agriculture contributes with approximately 2/5 at the Brut Intern Product and with 1/2 at the exports. People cultivate on 1/10 of the country's surface sorghum, millet, cotton, nuts and others. They also grow goats, sheep and cows.



Burkina Faso Lists

	Burkina Faso
	African countries
	African Union member states
	Economic Community of West African States
	Landlocked countries
	Least Developed Countries
	French-speaking countries
	Member states of La Francophonie
	History of Burkina Faso
	French West Africa
	Organisation of the Islamic Conference members
	States and territories established in 1960

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Tags: ouagadougou, french, franc, republic, niger river

Date Added: 22 November '06

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