Chief
of State: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October
1987)
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Ernest Paramanga YONLI (since 6 November 2000)
Government Type: parliamentary
republic |
Population:
13,902,972
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into
account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this
can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality
and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and
changes in the distribution of population by age and sex
than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)
Languages: French (official),
native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken
by 90% of the population
Religion: Muslim 50%, indigenous
beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Life Expectancy: 48.85 |
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note -
responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West
African States
GDP(per capita): $1,300 (2005
est.)
Overview: One of the poorest
countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has
few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About
90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture,
which is vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions. Cotton
is the key crop and the government has joined with other
cotton producing countries in the region to lobby for
improved access to Western markets. GDP growth has largely
been driven by increases in world cotton prices. Industry
remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled
corporations. Following the CFA franc currency devaluation
in January 1994, the government updated its development
program in conjunction with international agencies;
exports and economic growth have increased. The government
devolved macroeconomic policy and inflation targeting
to the West African regional central bank (BCEAO), but
maintains control over fiscal and microeconomic policies,
including implementing reforms to encourage private
investment. The bitter internal crisis in neighboring
Cote d'Ivoire continues to hurt trade and industrial
prospects and deepens the need for international assistance.
Exports: cotton, livestock,
gold
Import: capital goods, foodstuffs,
petroleum |
|
|
Location:
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Area: total: 274,200 sq km
land: 273,800 sq km
water: 400 sq km |
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. Burkina Faso's high population density
and limited natural resources result in poor economic
prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest
in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the
ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe
farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.
Independence Day: 5 August
1960 (from France)
Capital City: Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions: 45
provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou,
Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet,
Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi,
Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun,
Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan,
Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum,
Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo
|
|
