Burkina Faso
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Unité, Progrès, Justice"  (French) "Unity, Progress, Justice"
Anthem: Une Seule Nuit  (French) One Single Night
Capital (and largest city)		Ouagadougou 12°20′N, 1°40′W
Official languages		French
Demonym		Burkinabé
Government		Semi-presidential republic
-	President	Blaise Compaoré
-	Prime Minister	Tertius Zongo
Independence		from France
-	Date	August 5, 1960
Area
-	Total	274,000 km² (74th) 105,792 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.1%
Population
-	2005 estimate	13,228,000 (66th)
-	1996 census	10,312,669
-	Density	48/km² (145th) 124/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2005 estimate
-	Total	$16.845 billion1 (117th)
-	Per capita	$1,284 (163rd)
Gini (2003)		39.5 (medium)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.370 (low) (176th)
Currency		West African CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone		GMT
Internet TLD		.bf
Calling code		+226
1	The data here is an estimation for the year 2005 produced by the International Monetary Fund in April 2005.

Burkina Faso (pronounced /bɚˌkiːnəˈfɑːsoʊ/ burr-KEE-na FAH-soh), also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on August 4, 1984, by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Moré and Dioula, the major native languages of the country. Literally, "Burkina" may be translated, "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. Independence from France came in 1960. Governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana in search of paid labour. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabé (pronounced /bɚˈkiːnəbeɪ/ burr-KEE-na-bay). Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 800 pixel, file size: 4 KB, MIME type: image/png) The flag of Burkina Faso. ... Image File history File links Burkinafaso_coa. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The flag of Burkina Faso is formed by two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center. ... The coat of arms of Burkina Faso contains a shield based on the national flag. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Le Dytanie (The Dytanie) is the national anthem of Burkina Faso. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Demographics of Burkina Faso, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ... Goblins rule Ouagadougou is run by goblins who come out at night and the people you see walking around in the town are actually goblins in robotic suits that make them look like people. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... States with semi-presidential systems are shown in yellow The semi-presidential system is a system of government in which a prime minister and a president are both active participants in the day-to-day functioning of the administration of a country. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... List of Heads of State of Burkina Faso (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- See Also:- Burkina Faso Heads of Government of Burkina Faso Colonial Heads of Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) Lists of Incumbents Categories: Burkina Faso | Lists of office-holders ... Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951) has been the president of Burkina Faso since 1987. ... The office of Prime Minister of Burkina Faso was initially created in 1971, when Burkina Faso was named Upper Volta. ... Tertius Zongo (born 18 May 1957[1]) has been the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso since June 2007. ... is the 217th day of the year (218th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here surface areas between 100,000 km² and 1,000,000 km². ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth distribution. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... The West African CFA franc (XOF) is just known in French as the Franc CFA, where CFA stands for Communauté financière dAfrique (Financial Community of Africa). It is issued by the BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de lAfrique de lOuest, i. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... GMT redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .bf is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Burkina Faso. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... A landlocked country is one that has no coastline. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... Geographical renaming is the act of changing the name of a geographical feature or area. ... is the 216th day of the year (217th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was the leader of Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) from 1983 to 1987. ... More language is a language spoken primarily in Burkina Faso. ... Dioula (Jula) is a language spoken in Burkina Faso and Côte dIvoire. ... CIA figures for world unemployment rates, 2006 Unemployment is the state in which a person is without work, available to work, and is currently seeking work. ...

History

Main article: History of Burkina Faso

Children of the 1983-1987 revolution Until the end of the 19th century, the history of Burkina Faso was dominated by the empire-building Mossi, who are believed to have come up to their present location from Northern Ghana, (where there exists the ethnically related Dagomba group). ...

Early history

Typical of West Africa, Burkina Faso was populated early, notably by hunter-gatherers in the northwestern part of the country (12,000 to 5000 BC), and whose tools (scrapers, chisels and arrowheads) were discovered in 1973. Settlements appeared between 3600 and 2600 BC with farmers, the traces of whose structures leave the impression of relatively permanent buildings. The use of iron, ceramics and polished stone developed between 1500 and 1000 BC, as well as a preoccupation with spiritual matters, as shown by the burial remains which have been discovered. In anthropology, the hunter-gatherer way of life is that led by certain societies of the Neolithic Era based on the exploitation of wild plants and animals. ... AD redirects here. ...

Relics of the Dogon are found in the centre-north, north and north-west region. They left the area between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries BC to settle in the cliffs of Bandiagara. Elsewhere, the remains of high walls are localised in the southwest of Burkina Faso (as well as in the Côte d'Ivoire), but the people who built them have not yet been definitely identified. The Dogon village of Banani. ...

Burkina Faso was a very important economic region for the Songhai Empire during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The Songhai Empire, (ca. ...

From colony to independence

Traditional huts in south-east Burkina Faso.

After a decade of intense rivalry and competition between the British and the French, waged through treaty making expeditions under military or civilian explorers, in 1896, the Mossi kingdom of Ouagadougou was defeated by French colonial forces and became a French protectorate. The western region, where a standoff against the forces of the powerful ruler Samori Ture complicated the situation, and the eastern region came under French occupation in 1897 following different campaigns. By 1898, the majority of the territory corresponding to Burkina Faso today was nominally conquered, although control of many parts remained precarious. The French and British convention of June 14, 1898 ended the scramble between the two colonial powers and basically traced the borders between them. On the French side a war of conquest against local communities and political powers continued for about five years. In the 1904 large-scale reorganization of the French West African colonial empire, the now largely pacified territories of the Volta basin were integrated into the Upper Senegal and Niger (Haut-Sénégal et Niger) colony of French West Africa (AOF). The colony had its capital in Bamako. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Upper Senegal and Niger (Fr. ...

Draftees from the territory participated in the European fronts of First World War in the battalions of the Senegalese Infantry (Tirailleurs sénégalais). Between 1915 and 1916 the districts in the western part of what is now Burkina Faso and the bordering eastern fringe of Mali became the stage of one of the most important armed oppositions to colonial government (known as the Volta-Bani War). The French government finally suppressed the movement, but only after suffering defeats and being forced to gather the largest expeditionary force of its colonial history up to then. Armed opposition also wrecked the Sahelian north, as the Tuareg and allied groups of the Dori region ended their truce with the government. Once the First World War was over, on March 1, 1919, fear of recurrence of armed uprising and economic considerations led the colonial government to separate the present territory of Burkina Faso from Haut Sénégal et Niger so as to intensify its administration. The new colony was named Upper Volta (Haute Volta) and François Charles Alexis Édouard Hesling became its first governor. Hesling initiated an ambitious road making program and promoted cotton growing for export. The cotton policy, based on coercion, failed and revenue stagnated. The colony was dismantled on September 5, 1932, and its territory divided between Côte d’Ivoire, French Sudan and Niger, the largest share with most of the population and the cities of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso passing to Côte d'Ivoire. “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Tirailleur means sharpshooter in French. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... French Sudan (Fr. ...

The decision was reversed during the intense anti-colonial agitation that followed the end of the Second World War and on September 4, 1947 Upper Volta was recreated in its 1932 boundaries under the French Union. On December 11, 1958, it achieved self-government, and became the Republic of Upper Volta and member of the Franco-African Community (La Communauté Franco-Africaine). Full independence was attained in 1960. The country's first military coup occurred in 1966; which returned civilian rule in 1978. There was another coup, led by Saye Zerbo in 1980, which in turn was overthrown in 1982. A counter-coup was launched in 1983, which brought the charismatic Captain Thomas Sankara to leadership. In 1984 the revolutionary government changed the name of the country to Burkina Faso, its flag, and its national anthem. The current president is Blaise Compaoré, who came to power in 1987 after a coup d'état that killed Thomas Sankara. is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Established by the French constitution of October 27, 1946, the French Union (French: Union Française) was a political entity created to replace the old French colonial system, the French Empire (Empire français). ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... Saye Zerbo (born 1932) was a President of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from November 25, 1980 to November 7, 1982. ... Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was the leader of Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) from 1983 to 1987. ... Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951) has been the president of Burkina Faso since 1987. ... Coup redirects here. ... Captain Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was the leader of Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta) from 1983 to 1987. ...

President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso (source: Antônio Cruz).

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x643, 54 KB) President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso Source: Antônio Cruz/ABr. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x643, 54 KB) President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso Source: Antônio Cruz/ABr. ...

Politics

Main article: Politics of Burkina Faso

The constitution of June 2, 1991 established a semi-presidential government with a parliament (Assemblée) which can be dissolved by the President of the Republic, who is elected for a term of seven years. In 2000, however, there was a constitutional amendment reducing the presidential term from seven to five years, which was enforced during the 2005 elections. Another change according to the amendment would have prevented sitting President, Blaise Compaoré from being re-elected. However, notwithstanding a challenge by other presidential candidates, in October 2005 the constitutional council ruled that because Compaoré was already a sitting president in 2000, the amendment would not apply to him until the end of his second term in office. This cleared the way for his candidacy in the 2005 election. On November 13, Compaoré was reelected in a landslide due to a divided political opposition. Politics of Burkina Faso takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the President of Burkina Faso is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ... is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... The House of Representatives Chamber of the Parliament of Australia in Canberra. ... Blaise Compaoré (born February 3, 1951) has been the president of Burkina Faso since 1987. ... The Burkina Faso presidential elections of 2005 will take place on November 11. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The parliament consists of two chambers: the lower house (l'Assemblée Nationale) and the upper house (la Chambre des Représentants). There is also a constitutional chamber, composed of ten members, and an economic and social council whose roles are purely consultative.

Regions, provinces, and communes

Main articles: Regions of Burkina Faso, Provinces of Burkina Faso, and Communes of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is divided into thirteen regions, forty-five provinces, and 301 communes. The regions are: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Burkina Fasos 45 provinces are grouped into 13 administrative regions: List of Burkinabé regions (capitals in parenthesis): Boucle du Mouhoun (Dédougou) Cascades (Banfora) Centre (Ouagadougou) Centre-Est (Tenkodogo) Centre-Nord (Kaya) Centre-Ouest (Koudougou) Centre-Sud (Manga) Est (Fada Ngourma) Hauts-Bassins (Bobo Dioulasso) Nord (Ouahigouya) Plateau... Burkina Faso is divided into 45 administrative provinces, that are divided in Départements. ... Look up Region in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A province is a territorial unit, almost always a country subdivision. ...

• Boucle du Mouhoun
• Cascades
• Centre
• Centre-Est
• Centre-Nord
• Centre-Ouest
• Centre-Sud
• Est
• Hauts-Bassins
• Nord
• Plateau-Central
• Sahel
• Sud-Ouest

Boucle du Mouhoun is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Cascades is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Centre is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Centre-Est is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Centre-Nord is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Centre-Ouest is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Centre-Sud is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Est is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Hauts-Bassins is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Nord is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Plateau-Central is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Sahel is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ... Sud-Ouest is one of Burkina Fasos 13 administrative regions. ...

Geography

Map of Burkina Faso

Satellite image of Burkina Faso, generated from raster graphics data supplied by The Map Library

Tolotama reforestation, Burkina Faso.

Main article: Geography of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is made up of two major types of countryside: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (979x1162, 258 KB) Shaded relief map of Burkina Faso. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (979x1162, 258 KB) Shaded relief map of Burkina Faso. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (950x683, 693 KB) ECW to TIFF to PNG (compression level 9). ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (950x683, 693 KB) ECW to TIFF to PNG (compression level 9). ... Imagine the smiley face in the top left corner as an RGB bitmap image. ... Satellite image of Congo, generated from raster graphics data supplied by The Map Library. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 871 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Burkina Faso ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 871 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Burkina Faso ... Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) is a landlocked Sahel country that shares borders with six nations. ...

• The larger part of the country is covered by a peneplain which forms a gently undulating landscape with, in some areas, a few isolated hills, the last vestiges of a Precambrian massif.

• The south-west of the country forms a sandstone massif, where the highest peak is found: Ténakourou (749 m, 2,450 ft). The massif is bordered by sheer cliffs up to 150 metres (490 ft) high.

The average altitude is 400 metres (1,300 ft) and the difference between the highest and lowest terrain is no greater than 600 metres (2,000 ft). Burkina Faso is therefore a relatively flat country, with a very few localised exceptions. Canisteo River Valley from Pinnacle State Park The distant peaks at the same elevation represent the remnants of a peneplain that was uplifted to form the Allegheny Plateau, which is a dissected plateau in southwestern NY. In this area, the sharp relief that is seen on some of the Allegheny... The Precambrian (Pre-Cambrian) is an informal name for the supereon comprising the eons of the geologic timescale that came before the current Phanerozoic eon. ... In geology, a massif is a section of a planets crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. ... This article is about the geological formation. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ...

Hydrography

The country owed its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers which cross it: the Mouhoun (formerly called the Black Volta), the Nakambé (the White Volta) and the Nazinon (the Red Volta). The Mouhoun, along with the Comoé which flows to the south west, is the country's only river which flows year-round Geographical renaming is the act of changing the name of a geographical feature or area. ... Black Volta shown in black Black Volta or Mouhoun is a river of western Africa rising in western Burkina Faso and flowing about 1,352 km (840 mi) to the White Volta in Ghana. ... White Volta shown in white The White Volta, also known as the Nakambe River, is the headstream of the Volta River in West Africa. ... The Red Volta is a river in Burkina Faso. ...

The basin of the Niger River also drains 27% of the country's surface. Its tributaries (the Béli, the Gorouol, the Goudébo and the Dargol) are seasonal streams, and only flow for 4 to 6 months a year but can cause large floods. Map of Niger River with Niger River basin in green The Niger River is the principal river of western Africa, extending over 2500 miles (about 4180 km). ... A drainage basin is the area within the drainage basin divide (blue outline), and drains the surface runoff and river discharge (green lines) of a contiguous area. ... Look up tributary in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Butchers Creek, Omeo, Victoria A stream, brook, beck, burn or creek, is a body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. ... Flooding near Key West, Florida, United States from Hurricane Wilmas storm surge in October 2005 For other uses, see Flood (disambiguation). ...

The country also contains numerous lakes. The principal lakes are Tingrela, Bam and Dem, and the large ponds of Oursi, Béli, Yomboli and Markoye. Located near the town of Kongoussi, in Burkina Faso. ...

Water shortages are often a problem, especially in the north of the country. Fields outside Benambra, Victoria, Australia suffering from drought conditions A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. ...

Climate

Burkina Faso has a primarily tropical climate with two very distinct seasons: the rainy season with between 24-35 inches (600 and 900 mm) of rainfall, and the dry season during which the harmattan, a hot dry wind from the Sahara, blows. The rainy season lasts approximately 4 months, May/June to September, and is shorter in the north of the country. A noontime scene from the Philippines on a day when the Sun is almost directly overhead. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The Harmattan is a dry and dusty wind blowing northeast and west off the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between November and March (winter). ...

Three large climatic zones can be defined:

Sahel Zone

The Sahel in the north typically receives less than 24 inches (600 mm)^[1] rainfall a year and high temperatures 5–47 °C (40–115 °F). A relatively dry tropical savanna, the Sahel extends beyond the borders of Burkina Faso, from the Horn of Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, and borders the Sahara to its north, and the fertile region of the Sudan to the South. Extreme temperatures recorded are 5.5C and 47.0C. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A millimetre (American spelling: millimeter), symbol mm is an SI unit of length that is equal to one thousandth of a metre. ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... Tropical Savannas (alternate spelling savannah) are a grassland biome, dotted with trees, generally located at tropical latitudes. ... The Horn of Africa. ...

Sudan-Sahel zone

Situated between 11°3' and 13°5' north latitude, the Sudan-Sahel region is a transitional zone with regards to rainfall and temperature. This article is about the geographical term. ...

Sudan-Guinea zone

Further to the south, the Sudan-Guinea zone receives more than 35 inches (900 mm)^[1] rain a year and cooler average temperatures.

Natural resources

Burkina Faso has many natural resources, including; manganese, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt and small deposits of gold. General Name, symbol, number manganese, Mn, 25 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 7, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 54. ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Marble (disambiguation). ... A phosphate, in inorganic chemistry, is a salt of phosphoric acid. ... Specimen of highly porous pumice from Teide volcano on Tenerife, Canary Islands. ... This article is about common table salt. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ...

Burkina Faso's fauna and flora is protected in two national parks and several reserves, see list at List of national parks in Africa. This is a list of national parks in Africa. ...

Economy

Tarfila Farming Group

Shop in Burkina Faso.

Vendors in Burkina Faso.

Main article: Economy of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has one of the lowest GDP per capita incomes in the world: $1,200. This ranks it as the 27th poorest nation.^[2] Agriculture represents 32% of its gross domestic product and occupies 80% of the working population. It consists mostly of livestock but also, especially in the south and southwest, of growing sorghum, pearl millet, maize (corn), peanuts, rice and cotton. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 875 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 875 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 825 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 825 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 841 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 841 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world with an average income per capita of €250 (US$300). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Species About 30 species, see text Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are utilised as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. ... Binomial name (L.) R. Br. ... This article is about the maize plant. ... This article is about the legume. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Cotton (disambiguation). ...

Unemployment causes a high rate of emigration: for example, three million citizens of Burkina Faso live in Côte d'Ivoire. According to the Central Bank of Western African States (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest), these migrants send tens of billions of Euros back to Burkina Faso each year. Since the 1967 expulsions from Ghana, this situation has provoked tensions in the recipient countries. The most recent crisis occurred owing to the events of 2003 in Côte d'Ivoire, which led to the return of 300,000 migrants. Headquarters Dakar, Senegal Established 1961 President Charles Konan Banny Central Bank of West African Economic and Monetary Union Currency CFA franc ISO 4217 Code XOF Website www. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ...

A large part of the economic activity of the country is funded by international aid.

The currency of Burkina Faso is the CFA franc. now. ...

There is mineral exploitation of copper, iron, manganese and, above all, gold. For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ... General Name, symbol, number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 8, 4, d Appearance lustrous metallic with a grayish tinge Standard atomic weight 55. ... General Name, symbol, number manganese, Mn, 25 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 7, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 54. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ...

Burkina Faso also hosts the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou, better known by its French name as SIAO, Le Salon International de l' Artisanat de Ouagadougou, one of the most important African handicraft fairs. Held biennially in Ouagadougou, Burkina Fasos capital, the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou--better known by its French name as SIAO (Le Salon International de L Artisanat de Ouagadougou) is one of Africas most important trade shows for art and handicrafts. ...

Demographics

United Nations Square in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Sala Well

Main article: Demographics of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has an estimated life expectancy at birth of slightly under 50 years of age. The median age of its inhabitants is under 17. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2471x1647, 1114 KB) Description: Typical street scene in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2471x1647, 1114 KB) Description: Typical street scene in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. ... Goblins rule Ouagadougou is run by goblins who come out at night and the people you see walking around in the town are actually goblins in robotic suits that make them look like people. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 881 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2272x1704, 881 KB) Pictures from Burkina Faso Source: http://www. ... Demographics of Burkina Faso, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ...

Population growth rate: 3.00% (2006)

The population is concentrated in the south and center of the country, sometimes exceeding 48 per square kilometer (125/sq. mi.). This high population density, causes annual migrations of hundreds of thousands, for seasonal employment. A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...

Approximately 50% of the population is Muslim; Christians account for about 30%, and followers of traditional African religions (typically animism of various forms) make up about 20%. Many Christians incorporate elements of animism into their religious practices.^{[citation needed]} For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... The term Animism is derived from the Latin anima, meaning soul.[1][2] In its most general sense, animism is simply the belief in souls. ...

Culture

Main article: Culture of Burkina Faso

See also List of writers from Burkina Faso, Music of Burkina Faso and Cinema of Burkina Faso.

Two key elements of the culture of Burkina Faso are masks and dancing. ... African Writers (by country): This is a list of prominent and notable literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ... Burkina Faso is home to some 60 different ethnic groups, each with their own variety of folk music. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Education

Main article: Education in Burkina Faso

Education in Burkina Faso is divided into primary, secondary, and higher education. However, schooling is not free. Secondary school costs approximately $115 (50,000CFA) a year, which is far above the means of most Burkinabe families. Boys receive preference in schooling; as such, girls' education and literacy rates are far lower. An increase in girls' schooling has been observed due to the government's policy of making school cheaper for girls and granting them more scholarships. In order to proceed from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or high school to college, national exams must be passed. Institutions of higher education include the University of Ouagadougou, and The Polytechnical University in Bobo-Dioulasso, the University of Koudougou, which is also a teacher training institution. A number of private colleges for specific trainings have recently appeared in the capital city Ouagadougou but are affordable to a very small portion of the population. Education in Burkina Faso is structured in much the same way as in the rest of the world; primary, secondary, and higher education. ... The University of Ouagadougou was founded in 1974 with only 374 students. ... Bobo-Dioulasso is a city of about 400,000, mainly Dioula, after Ouagadougou the second biggest in Burkina Faso. ... Goblins rule Ouagadougou is run by goblins who come out at night and the people you see walking around in the town are actually goblins in robotic suits that make them look like people. ...

There is also an International School of Ouagadougou (ISO), which is an American-based private school located in the capital city, Ouagadougou. The International School of Ouagadougou is an English-language using international school in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, established in 1976. ...

The United Nations Development Program Report used to place Burkina Faso as the most illiterate country in the world, with only 12.8% in 1990. However, with the consistent effort of the government in making schooling more accessible and affordable, the literacy rate has literally doubled and is now at 25.3% of the population. UN redirects here. ...

See also

This is a list of all the current ambassadors to Burkina Faso. ... Telephones - main lines in use: 30,000 (1995) Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995) Telephone system: all services only fair domestic: microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998) Radios: 370,000... Membership badge of the Fédération Burkinabé du Scoutisme The Fédération Burkinabé du Scoutisme, the national federation of several Scouting organizations of Burkina Faso, was founded in 1943, and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1972 . ... Burkina Faso has excellent relations with European--including the European Union--North African, and Asian countries, which are all active development partners. ... Holidays in Burkina Faso Categories: Burkina Faso | Public holidays by country ... This page aims to list articles on Wikipedia that are related to Burkina Faso. ... The following is a list of cities in Burkina Faso: Banfora Bobo Dioulasso Boromo Boulsa Boussé Dédougou Diébougou Dori Djibo Fada Ngourma Gaoua Gorom-Gorom Houndé Kaya Kombissiri Kongoussi Koudougou Koupéla Léo Loropeni Manga Nouna Oradara Ouagadougou Ouahigouya Pô Réo Sanguié Sindou Tenkodogo Tougan... // Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, Peoples Militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,688,072 (2002 est. ... Burkina Faso is home to some 60 different ethnic groups, each with their own variety of folk music. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. ... African Buffalo Wildlife of Burkina Faso includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Find more about Burkina Faso on Wikipedia's sister projects:
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Research Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ...

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Africa (ZIAF), Frankfurt, Germany
• BIOTA-West

Charities

• Paper for All - Registered charity that provides academic resources to children, to support education and enable sustainable development

Culture

• Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO)
• "The Art of Burkina Faso" By Christopher D. Roy
• Photos and stories of life in the North of Burkina Faso
• Photos from Burkina Faso
• Photographs of daily life in Burkina Faso (1970-2004)
• Listen to "Fulbe" (Fulani) music
• Women authors from Burkina Faso at a glance
• Encyclopedia of the Nations: Burkina Faso

Government and organizations

• Premier Ministère official government portal (in French)
• Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington, DC government information and links
• Aid organization, photos and videos from Burkina Faso

News

• allAfrica - Burkina Faso news headline links
• Journeyman Pictures: The Flowering Desert - Burkina Faso

Overviews

• BBC News - Country Profile: Burkina Faso
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Country Page - Burkina Faso
• Burkina Faso entry at The World Factbook

Directories and portals

• Open Directory Project - Burkina Faso directory category
• Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: Burkina Faso directory category
• University of Pennsylvania - African Country Studies: Burkina Faso
• Yahoo! - Burkina Faso directory category
• OuagaNet.com: A portal site about Burkina Faso English/French
• Fasosante.net: A portal site about Health in Burkina Faso /French
• Burkina Faso map and information page by World Atlas
• Burkina Faso's location on a 3D globe (Java)
• Africa: Burkina Faso

Tourism

• Burkina Faso travel guide from Wikitravel
• Guide Ouagadougou Burkina Faso
• Real Estate Ouagadougou Burkina Faso
• Four weeks in Burkina Faso Travelling notes on life and culture

Geographic locale

v • d • e Countries of Africa West Africa Wikitravel is a project to create an open content, complete, up-to-date, and reliable world-wide travel guide. ... This is an alphabetical list of African countries and dependencies. ... Image File history File links LocationWesternAfrica. ... Benin · Burkina Faso · Cape Verde · Côte d'Ivoire · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Liberia · Mali · Mauritania · Niger · Nigeria · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Togo North Africa Image File history File links LocationNorthernAfrica. ... Algeria · Egypt1 · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Sudan · Tunisia · Western Sahara Central Africa Image File history File links LocationCentralMiddleAfrica. ... Angola · Burundi · Cameroon · Central African Republic · Chad · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · Republic of the Congo · Rwanda · São Tomé and Príncipe East Africa Image File history File links LocationEasternAfrica. ... Burundi · Comoros · Djibouti · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Kenya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mauritius · Mozambique · Rwanda · Seychelles · Somalia · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe Southern Africa Image File history File links LocationSouthernAfrica. ... Botswana · Lesotho · Namibia · South Africa · Swaziland Dependencies British Indian Ocean Territory (UK) · Mayotte (France) · Réunion (France) · St. Helena2 (UK) Unrecognized Canary Islands (Spain) · Ceuta (Spain) · Madeira (Portugal) · Melilla (Spain) · Socotra (Yemen) · Puntland · Somaliland · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic 1 Partly in Asia.  2 Includes the dependencies of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. World map of dependent territories. ... For other uses, see Saint Helena (disambiguation). ... The list of unrecognized countries enumerates those geo-political entities which lack general diplomatic recognition, but wish to be recognized as sovereign states. ... This article is about the islands in the Atlantic Ocean. ... Capital Ceuta City Official language(s) Spanish Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked  28 km²   Population  â€“ Total (2006)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked  75,861    2,709. ... For other uses, see Madeira (disambiguation). ... Capital Official language(s) Spanish Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked  20 km²   Population  â€“ Total (2006)  â€“ % of Spain  â€“ Density Ranked  66,871    3,343. ... Map of the Socotra archipelago Socotra or Soqotra (Arabic سقطرى ; ) is a small archipelago of four islands and islets in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Horm Africa some 350 km south of the Arabian peninsula. ... Motto None Anthem Puntland Somali National Anthem Capital Garowe (Administrative), Bosaso (Commercial) Largest city Bosaso Official languages Somali and Arabic Government  -  President Mohamud Muse Hersi  -  Vice-President Hassan Dahir Mohamud Autonomy Inside Somalia   -  Declared 1998   -  Recognition   Area  -  Total 212,510 km km² (84th) n/a sq mi   -  Water (%) Negl. ... For other territories formerly called Somaliland, see Somaliland (disambiguation). ... Motto: حرية ديمقراطية وحدة (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: Yābaniy Es-Saharā  listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... This is a list of countries spanning more than one continent. ... Anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Georgetown Largest city Georgetown Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ... Motto Our faith is our strength Anthem God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Official languages English Government Dependency of St. ...

International membership

v • d • e Members of the United Nations Security Council Permanent members China · France · Russia · United Kingdom · United States Term ends December 31, 2008 Belgium · Indonesia · Italy · Panama · South Africa Term ends December 31, 2009 Burkina Faso · Costa Rica · Croatia · Libya · Vietnam v • d • e African Union (AU) Algeria · Angola · Benin · Botswana · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cameroon · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Eritrea · Ethiopia · Equatorial Guinea · Gabon · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Libya · Madagascar · Malawi · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Niger · Nigeria · Rwanda · Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Somalia · South Africa · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Togo · Tunisia · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe v • d • e Community of Sahel-Saharan States Benin · Burkina Faso · Central African Republic · Chad · Comoros · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Eritrea · The Gambia · Ghana · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Liberia · Libya · Mali · Morocco · Niger · Nigeria · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Somalia · Sudan · Togo · Tunisia · v • d • e Member states and observers of La Francophonie Members Albania · Andorra · Belgium (French Community) · Benin · Bulgaria · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cambodia · Cameroon · Canada (New Brunswick · Quebec) · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Cyprus1 · Comoros · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Dominica · Egypt · Equatorial Guinea · Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia · France (including French Guiana · Guadeloupe · Martinique · Saint Pierre and Miquelon) · Gabon · Ghana1 · Greece · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Laos · Luxembourg · Lebanon · Madagascar · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Moldova · Monaco · Morocco · Niger · Romania · Rwanda · St. Lucia · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Switzerland · Togo · Tunisia · Vanuatu · Vietnam Observers Armenia · Austria · Croatia · Czech Republic · Georgia · Hungary · Lithuania · Mozambique · Poland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Ukraine UN redirects here. ... “Security Council” redirects here. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Nations. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together [1] Administrative Centre Working languages Arabic English Spanish French Portuguese Swahili Membership 53 African states Leaders  -  Chairman Jakaya Kikwete  -  Jean Ping Establishment  -  as the OAU May 25, 1963   -  as the African Union July 9, 2002  Area  -  Total 29,757,900 km² (1st1... For the surface feature on Mars, see Cape Verde (Mars). ... Motto Unité, Dignité, Travail(French) Unity, Dignity, Work Anthem La Renaissance(French) E Zingo(Sango) Capital (and largest city) Bangui Official languages Sango, French Government Republic  -  President François Bozizé  -  Prime Minister Élie Doté Independence from France   -  Date August 13, 1960  Area  -  Total 622,984 km² (43rd) 240,534 sq... Motto: Justice – Paix – Travail(French) Justice – Peace – Work Anthem: Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Recognised regional languages Lingala, Kongo/Kituba, Swahili, Tshiluba Demonym Congolese Government Semi-Presidential Republic  -  President Joseph Kabila  -  Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence  -  from Belgium June 30, 1960  Area  -  Total 2,344... Motto Unité, Travail, Progrès(French) Unity, Work, Progress Anthem La Congolaise Capital (and largest city) Brazzaville Official languages French Government Republic  -  President Denis Sassou Nguesso  -  Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba Independence from France   -  Date 15 August 1960  Area  -  Total 342,000 km² (64th) 132,047 sq mi   -  Water (%) 3. ... Motto Unity, Discipline and Labour(translation) Anthem LAbidjanaise Capital Yamoussoukro (de jure) Abidjan (de facto) Largest city Abidjan Official languages French Demonym Ivorian Government Republic  -  President Laurent Gbagbo[1]  -  Prime Minister Guillaume Soro[1] Independence from France   -  Date August 7, 1960  Area  -  Total 322,460 km² (68th) 124,502... Motto Unidad, Paz, Justicia(Spanish) Unity, Peace, Justice Anthem Caminemos pisando la senda Capital (and largest city) Malabo Official languages Spanish, Portuguese[1], French Government Republic  -  President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo  -  Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfubea Independence  -  from Spain October 12, 1968  Area  -  Total 28,051 km² (144th) 10... For the river, see Gambia River. ... Motto: حرية ديمقراطية وحدة (Arabic) Liberty, Democracy, Unity Anthem: Yābaniy Es-Saharā  listen This map indicates the territory claimed by the SADR, viz. ... Anthem: Independência total Capital (and largest city) São Tomé Official languages Portuguese Demonym Santomean Government Republic  -  President Fradique de Menezes  -  Prime Minister Tomé Vera Cruz Independence from Portugal   -  Date 12 July 1975  Area  -  Total 964 km² (183rd) 372 sq mi   -  Water (%) 0 Population  -  2005 estimate 157,000 (188th... Motto: Unity - Freedom - Justice Anthem: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free Capital Freetown (1,070,200) , Largest city Freetown Official languages English Demonym Sierra Leonean, Sierra Leonian Government Constitutional republic  -  President Ernest Bai Koroma  -  Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana Independence  -  from the United Kingdom April 27, 1961   -  Republic... This article is about the country on the southern tip of the African continent. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_African_Union. ... Headquarters Tripoli, Libya Official language]]s English, French, Arabic and Portuguese Type Trade bloc Membership 25 member states Leaders  -  Secretary General Mohamed Al-Madani Al-Azhari Establishment  -  Signed 4 February 1998  Website http://www. ... Motto Égalité, Complémentarité, Solidarité Members and participants of La Francophonie. ... The French Community area of Belgium The French Community of Belgium (French: , Dutch: , German: ) is one of the three official communities in Belgium along with the Flemish Community and the German speaking Community. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Motto: Anthem: Today Over Macedonia (Macedonian: Денес Над Македонија, Denes Nad Makedonija) Capital Skopje Largest city Skopje Official language(s) Macedonian1 Government President Prime Minister Parliamentary republic Branko Crvenkovski Vlado Bučkovski Independence Declared From Yugoslavia September 8, 1991 Area  â€¢ Total  â€¢ Water (%)   25,333 km² (146th) 1. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_La_Francophonie. ... Not to be confused with Republika Srpska. ... 1 Associate member.     v • d • e The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)  Members Afghanistan · Albania · Algeria · Azerbaijan · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Benin · Burkina Faso · Brunei · Cameroon · Chad · Comoros · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Egypt · Gabon · Gambia · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Guyana · Indonesia · Iran · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Lebanon · Libya · Maldives · Malaysia · Mali · Mauritania · Morocco · Mozambique · Niger · Nigeria · Oman · Pakistan · Palestine · Qatar · Saudi Arabia · Senegal · Sierra Leone · Somalia · Sudan · Suriname · Syria · Tajikistan · Turkey · Tunisia · Togo · Turkmenistan · Uganda · Uzbekistan · United Arab Emirates · Yemen Observers Countries and territories Bosnia and Herzegovina · Central African Republic · Russia · Thailand · Northern Cyprus (as Turkish Cypriot State) Muslim communities Moro National Liberation Front International organizations Economic Cooperation Organization · African Union · Arab League · Non-Aligned Movement · United Nations v • d • e Niger-Congo-speaking nations v • d • e Kordofanian  Sudan v • d • e Mande  Gambia  Guinea The flag of the Organ of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Membership in the OIC:  Member Members once temporarily suspended Withdrew Observer Attempted to join but blocked OIC redirects here. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_OIC.svg Beschreibung The flag of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). ... The Republic of The Gambia is a country in West Africa. ... “Palestinian government” redirects here. ... Anthem: Ä°stiklâl Marşı(Turkish) Independence March Capital Nicosia (LefkoÅŸa in Turkish) Official languages Turkish Government Representative democratic republic1  -  President Mehmet Ali Talat  -  Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer Independence from Cyprus   -  Proclaimed November 15, 1983   -  Recognition By Turkey only  Area  -  Total 3,355 km² (167th ranked together with Cyprus... The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is an active Islamic movement in the Southern Philippines. ... Map of the ECO member states The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an intergovernmental international organization involving ten Asian nations. ... Anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together [1] Administrative Centre Working languages Arabic English Spanish French Portuguese Swahili Membership 53 African states Leaders  -  Chairman Jakaya Kikwete  -  Jean Ping Establishment  -  as the OAU May 25, 1963   -  as the African Union July 9, 2002  Area  -  Total 29,757,900 km² (1st1... Headquarters Cairo, Egypt1 Official languages Arabic Membership 22 Arab states 2 observer states Leaders  -  Secretary General Amr Moussa (since 2001)  -  Council of the Arab League Sudan  -  Speaker of the Arab Parliament Nabih Berri Establishment  -  Alexandria Protocol March 22, 1945  Area  -  Total 13,953,041 (Western Sahara Included) = 13,687,041... Member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (2005). ... UN redirects here. ... The Niger-Congo languages constitute one of the worlds major language families, and Africas largest in terms of geographical area, number of speakers, and number of distinct languages. ... Several Kordofanian languages are spoken in the Nuba hills of Kordofan, in Sudan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sudan. ... Mandé is the name of an ethnic group or nation, as well as a group of languages which are spoken in several countries in West Africa, including Mandinka, Soninke, Bambara, Dioula, Kagoro, Bozo, Mendé, Yacouba, and Vai. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_The_Gambia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guinea. ...  Guinea-Bissau  Mali Image File history File links Flag_of_Guinea-Bissau. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ...  Mauritania  Senegal Image File history File links Flag_of_Mauritania. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Senegal. ...  Sierra Leone  Liberia Image File history File links Flag_of_Sierra_Leone. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Liberia. ...  Côte d'Ivoire  Nigeria Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ...  Burkina Faso  Benin Image File history File links Flag_of_Burkina_Faso. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ...  Togo Image File history File links Flag_of_Togo. ... v • d • e Atlantic-Congo Atlantic  Benin  Burkina Faso  Cameroon  CAR Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The (West) Atlantic languages1 of West Africa are a subgroup of Niger-Congo language family. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Burkina_Faso. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cameroon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Central_African_Republic. ... Motto Unité, Dignité, Travail(French) Unity, Dignity, Work Anthem La Renaissance(French) E Zingo(Sango) Capital (and largest city) Bangui Official languages Sango, French Government Republic  -  President François Bozizé  -  Prime Minister Élie Doté Independence from France   -  Date August 13, 1960  Area  -  Total 622,984 km² (43rd) 240,534 sq... Ijoid  Nigeria  Chad  Côte d'Ivoire  Gambia  Guinea The Ijoid languages are spoken by the Ịjọ [Ijaw] and the Defaka (Afakani) of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, totalling about 10 million. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chad. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_The_Gambia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guinea. ... Dogon  Mali  Guinea-Bissau  Liberia  Mali The Dogon languages are spoken by the Dogon in Mali. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guinea-Bissau. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Liberia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ...  Mauritania  Niger  Senegal Image File history File links Flag_of_Mauritania. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Niger. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Senegal. ...  Sierra Leone  Sudan  Togo Image File history File links Flag_of_Sierra_Leone. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sudan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Togo. ... v • d • e Volta-Congo Senufo  Benin  Côte d'Ivoire  Mali In the classification of African languages, Volta-Congo is the major branch (in terms of number of languages) of the Niger-Congo phylum. ... The Senufo languages comprise ca. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ... Gur  Benin  Burkina Faso  Côte d'Ivoire  Ghana  Mali  Nigeria  Togo The Gur languages belong to the Niger-Congo languages. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Burkina_Faso. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ghana. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mali. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Togo. ... Adamawa-Ubangi  Cameroon  CAR  Chad  Nigeria The Adamawa-Ubangi languages are spoken in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, southern Central African Republic, by a total of about 12 million people. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cameroon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Central_African_Republic. ... Motto Unité, Dignité, Travail(French) Unity, Dignity, Work Anthem La Renaissance(French) E Zingo(Sango) Capital (and largest city) Bangui Official languages Sango, French Government Republic  -  President François Bozizé  -  Prime Minister Élie Doté Independence from France   -  Date August 13, 1960  Area  -  Total 622,984 km² (43rd) 240,534 sq... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chad. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Kru  Burkina Faso  Côte d'Ivoire  Liberia The Kru languages belong to the Niger-Congo language family and are spoken in the area ranging from the south-east of Liberia to the east of Côte dIvoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Burkina_Faso. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Liberia. ... Kwa  Benin  Côte d'Ivoire  Ghana  Nigeria  Togo The Kwa languages are spoken in the south-eastern part of Côte dIvoire, in Ghana, Togo and Benin, and the south-Western corner of Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Benin. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cote_d'Ivoire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ghana. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Togo. ... v • d • e Benue-Congo Bantu  Angola  Botswana  Burundi  Cameroon  DRC The Benue-Congo group of languages constitutes the largest branch of the Niger-Congo language family, both in terms of sheer number of languages, of which 938 are known (not counting mere dialects), and in terms of speakers, numbering perhaps 550 million. ... Map showing the approximate distribution of Bantu vs. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Angola. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Botswana. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Burundi. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cameroon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo. ... Motto: Justice – Paix – Travail(French) Justice – Peace – Work Anthem: Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Recognised regional languages Lingala, Kongo/Kituba, Swahili, Tshiluba Demonym Congolese Government Semi-Presidential Republic  -  President Joseph Kabila  -  Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence  -  from Belgium June 30, 1960  Area  -  Total 2,344... Yoruba and Igbo  Nigeria  Rep. of the Congo  Equatorial Guinea  Gabon  Kenya Yoruba (native name èdè Yorùbá, the Yoruba language) is a dialect continuum of West Africa with over 22 million speakers. ... Igbo is a language spoken in Nigeria by around 18 million people (1999 WA), the Igbo, especially in the southeastern region once identified as Biafra. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_the_Congo. ... Motto Unité, Travail, Progrès(French) Unity, Work, Progress Anthem La Congolaise Capital (and largest city) Brazzaville Official languages French Government Republic  -  President Denis Sassou Nguesso  -  Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba Independence from France   -  Date 15 August 1960  Area  -  Total 342,000 km² (64th) 132,047 sq mi   -  Water (%) 3. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Equatorial_Guinea. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Gabon. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Kenya. ...  Nigeria  Malawi  Mozambique  Namibia Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Malawi. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mozambique. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Namibia. ...  Rwanda  Somalia  South Africa  Swaziland Image File history File links Flag_of_Rwanda. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Somalia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Swaziland. ...  Tanzania  Uganda  Zambia  Zimbabwe Image File history File links Flag_of_Tanzania. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Uganda. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Zambia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Zimbabwe. ... CAR = Central African Republic    DRC = Democratic Republic of the Congo