Burkina Faso

11th century – Formation of the Mossi Kingdoms: The Mossi people establish several kingdoms in the region, with the Kingdom of Wagadou (present-day Ouagadougou) becoming one of the most influential

1896 – French colonization: Burkina Faso becomes a French protectorate known as Upper Volta

1960 – Independence from France (Thursday, August 5, 1960)

1983 – Revolution and Thomas Sankara’s rise to power (Tuesday, August 4, 1983): Thomas Sankara leads a military coup, overthrowing the government and instituting radical reforms

1987 – Assassination of Thomas Sankara (Thursday, October 15, 1987): Sankara is overthrown and killed in a coup led by his former ally Blaise Compaoré

2014 – Popular uprising against Blaise Compaoré (Friday, October 31, 2014): Protests force Compaoré to resign after attempts to extend his presidency

2022 – Military coup ousts President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (Monday, January 24, 2022): A military coup takes place amid growing insecurity in the country

2023 – Military government under Ibrahim Traoré: Following the 2022 coup, Ibrahim Traoré becomes the leader, vowing to stabilize the country and fight insurgent groups

Continent: Africa (West Africa)
Location: Landlocked, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the east, Benin and Togo to the south, Ghana to the southwest, Côte d’Ivoire to the south, and Guinea to the west
Capital: Ouagadougou
Language: French (official), multiple indigenous languages (Mooré, Dioula, etc.)
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Population: ~23 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0)

Borders: Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea
Landscape: Flat plains, savannah, and hills
Major Rivers: Volta River
Notable Features: Mouhoun River, Nazinon River, the Banfora Cascades

Ethnic Groups: Mossi (about 40%), Fula, Lobi, Bobo, Gourounsi, others
Religion: Islam (about 60%), Christianity (about 20%), indigenous beliefs (about 20%)
Urban Population: ~32% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: The population is young, with a median age of about 17 years, and a significant portion of the population lives in rural areas.

Famous For: Traditional music and dance, vibrant arts and crafts, and hospitality
Cuisine: Tô (maize or millet-based dish), rice, beans, meat stews
Arts: Traditional music (balafon), art and sculptures, masks, and textiles
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, athletics

Economy Type: Developing, with agriculture, services, and mining as key sectors
GDP: Approx. $16.4 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (cotton, maize, sorghum), gold mining, livestock
Key Exports: Gold, cotton, sesame, livestock products
Unemployment Rate: ~6.3% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is largely based in rural areas, with gold mining concentrated in the eastern and southern regions.

Government Type: Semi-presidential republic
Head of State: President Ibrahim Traoré (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: In effect since 2015, though various changes have been made following coups

Ouagadougou: The capital, with cultural landmarks such as the National Museum, Grand Mosque, and local markets
Banfora: Known for the Banfora Cascades, a series of beautiful waterfalls
Arli National Park: A park rich in wildlife, including elephants, lions, and buffaloes
Gorom-Gorom: A historic town in the north, famous for its markets and traditional architecture
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None as of 2023