Learn 31 random interesting facts about Africa’s 29th largest country, Burkina Faso.
31 Burkina Faso Random Facts
| 31 Burkina Faso Random Facts |
1. In the year 896, Kingdoms now making up Burkina Faso become a French protectorate, later known as Upper Volta.
2. The name of Burkina Faso was Upper Volta until 1984.
3. Burkina Faso name translates as "Land of the honest men"
4. Independence August 5, 1960 from France.
5. Burkina Faso is a landlocked savanna.
6. Located in Western Africa, north of Ghana.
7. Burkina Faso is the 75th largest country in the world by area; the United States is 36 times bigger than Burkina Faso.
8. Burkina Faso has three main rivers the Mouhoun or Black Volta, the Nazinon or Red Volta and the Nakambé or White Volta.
9. The longest river in Burkina Faso is the Mouhoun or Black Volta River 1,352 kilometers/840 miles.
10. Lowest point in Burkina Faso is Mouhoun or the Black Volta River 656 / 200m.
11. Mount Tenakourou is the highest point in Burkina Faso 2457 ft / 749m.
12. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop.
13. Population with electricity in Burkina Faso is 56% in urban areas and 1% in rural areas.
| Burkina Faso children and families |
14. People of Burkina Faso are called Burkinabe.
15. French is the official language however; native African languages belonging to Sudanic family are spoken by 90% of the population.
16. Ethnic groups are Mossi 52.5%, Fulani 8.4%, Gurma 6.8%, Bobo 4.8%, Gurunsi 4.5%, Senufo 4.4%, Bissa 3.9%, Lobi 2.5%, Dagara 2.4%, Tuareg/Bella 1.9%, Dioula 0.8%, unspecified/no answer 0.1%, other 7%.
17. More than 65% of the population of Burkina Faso is under the age of 25.
18. Average age is 17.2 years old.
19. Burkina Faso Government type is presidential republic.
20. Capital name Ouagadougou.
21. Geographic coordinates 12 22 N, 1 31 W.
22. Burkina Faso has 13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, and Sud-Ouest.
23. Burkina Faso flag has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance, and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth.
| Burkina Faso flag |
24. National symbol is a white stallion.
25. National colors are the Pan-African colors of red, yellow, and green.
26. National anthem "Le Ditanye or Anthem of Victory.
27. Lyrics and music of the national anthem are by former president Thomas Sankara adopted 1974 an avid guitar player and was also known as "Africa's Che Guevara".
28. In 1990, Blaise Compaore, who assumed power when he ousted and killed Thomas Sankara in 1987, introduces limited democratic reforms.
29. Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore remained in power for 27 years.
30. Marc Kabore, who served as prime minister and speaker of parliament under veteran President Blaise Compaore, won the November 2015 presidential election, easily beating his main rival.
