Burkina Faso

About Burkina Faso

Capital

Ouagadougou

Continent

Independence Date

5 August 1960

Official Language	French
Second Language	Moore, Dioula, Fulfulde
Population	~24 million
Passport Color	Green
Passport Rank	#89
Dialing Code	226
Country TLD	.bf

Burkina Faso Overview

Burkina Faso, officially the Burkina Faso Republic, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It borders Mali to the north and west, Niger to the east, and Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire to the south. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso is part of the Sahel region, featuring savannas, plateaus, and seasonal rivers. Its economy relies on agriculture (cotton, livestock, sorghum, maize) and gold mining. The country is known for its rich traditions in music, film, and arts, notably the FESPACO film festival held in Ouagadougou.

French is the official language, while Moore, Fulfulde, and Dioula are widely spoken. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African nations in the WAEMU. Despite challenges, Burkina Faso’s cultural identity and community spirit remain strong.

Quick Facts About Burkina Faso

Coordinates	12.2383° N, 1.5616° W
Bordering Countries	Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire
Region / Continent	Africa (West Africa)
Total Area	~272,967 sq km
Population Density	~75–80 people per sq km
Highest Point	Ténakourou – 747 m
Major Rivers	Black Volta, White Volta, Red Volta
Climate Type	Tropical savanna; wet and dry seasons
Famous For	FESPACO film festival, music, art, and gold mining
Major Landmarks	Ouagadougou Cathedral, Ruins of Loropéni, Sindou Peaks, Nazinga Game Ranch
Official Language	French
Currency	West African CFA franc (XOF)
Government Type	Semi-presidential Republic
Time Zone	UTC+0
Major Exports	Gold, cotton, livestock, sesame, shea butter
Visitor Entry	Visa required for most nationalities; ECOWAS citizens exempt