Burkina Faso

West Africa

Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa, home to 23.5 million people, with an area of 274,200 km². Its capital is Ouagadougou.

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

Burkina Faso at a glance

Language

French is the official language, but Mossi, Dyula, and other African languages are also widely spoken

Currency

West African CFA franc

Religion

Islam is the predominant religion in Burkina Faso, followed by Christianity and traditional African religions

National dish

Riz Gras (a rice dish with meat and vegetables)

Climate

Burkina Faso has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to October

Main industries

Agriculture, mining, and textiles

GDP

$16.98 billion (2019 estimate)

Development

Burkina Faso is considered a low-income country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 183 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Burkina Faso

Some of the main tourist attractions in Burkina Faso include:

• The Ruins of Loropéni This ancient city was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009, and features impressive stone walls and towers.
• Banfora A town located in southwestern Burkina Faso, known for its waterfalls and natural attractions such as the Karfiguéla Waterfall and the Dômes de Fabedougou rock formations.
• The Grand Mosque of Bobo Dioulasso: One of the most important mosques in West Africa, this mosque is located in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso and features impressive adobe architecture.
• The National Museum of Music Located in Ouagadougou, this museum features traditional musical instruments and exhibits on the history of music in Burkina Faso.
• The Sacred Crocodiles of Bazoulé Located near the city of Ouagadougou, this site is home to over 100 crocodiles, which are considered sacred by the local people.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Burkina Faso has to offer. Visitors to the country can also enjoy hiking, visiting national parks and wildlife reserves, and experiencing the vibrant culture and traditions of the Burkinabe people.

Burkina Faso in pictures

Burkina Faso on video

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Burkina Faso compared with its neighbours

How it sits against the other countries of West Africa.

Country	Population	Area	Capital
Niger	27.2 million	1,267,000 km²	Niamey
Mali	24.5 million	1,240,192 km²	Bamako
Burkina Faso	23.5 million	274,200 km²	Ouagadougou
Senegal	18.4 million	196,722 km²	Dakar

Ranked 59th of 195 countries by population and 74th by area.

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