What Country is Burkina Faso in?
Burkina Faso, officially known as the Republic of Burkina Faso, is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by six countries: Mali to the north and west, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Cote d'Ivoire to the southwest.
Geography of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It has an area of 274,000 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 20 million people. The country is mostly flat with scattered hills and low mountains to the southeast and southwest. The three main rivers in Burkina Faso are the Black Volta, Red Volta, and White Volta. The capital city of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.
History of Burkina Faso
The area now known as Burkina Faso was originally inhabited by various ethnic groups, including Mossi, Gurma, Bobo and others. The French colonized the area in the late 19th century and named it Upper Volta, which became a French colony in the early 20th century. The country gained independence from France in 1960 and was renamed Burkina Faso in 1984 by President Thomas Sankara. Since then, Burkina Faso has struggled with political instability, poverty, and drought. The country is currently one of the poorest in the world.
Economy of Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is an agricultural country, with more than 80% of the population employed in agriculture. The main agricultural products include cotton, peanuts, sesame seeds, and sorghum. Burkina Faso has significant deposits of gold, copper, manganese, and zinc, but the mining industry is still in the early stages of development. The country also has small manufacturing and service sectors. Burkina Faso relies heavily on foreign aid to support its economy.
In conclusion, Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by six other countries. The country has a flat terrain with three main rivers. Burkina Faso has a complex history, with French colonization, independence, and political instability. Agriculture is the main sector of the country's economy, with gold and other minerals slowly gaining importance.