Official Name Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta)

Population 13,902,972

Capital City Ouagadougou (996,000)

Largest Cities Oaugadougou, Bobo Dioulasso, Koudougou

Currency CFA Franc



National Day 11 December; Republic Day

Latitude/Longitude 12° 37'N, 1° 53'W

Languages French (official), tribal dialects

Religions Traditional beliefs, Muslim, Christian


 

Land


Land Area 273,800 sq km (105,714 sq miles) - slightly larger than Colorado

Landforms Located on the southern fringes of the Sahara Desert, the country is mostly a wide, flat plain with hillier land in the west and far southeast. The Black, Red and White Voltas are the major rivers, and all flow south into Ghana.

Highest Point Tena Kouron, at 2,451 ft. (747 m)

Land Divisions 45 provinces, including: Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Nahouri, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo

Natural Resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt