Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It is bordered by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d’Ivoire to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou, often referred to simply as Ouaga. Formerly known as Upper Volta, the country adopted its current name, Burkina Faso, which translates to “land of honest men,” in 1984.
The country’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with cotton being the main cash crop, alongside subsistence farming of sorghum, millet, corn, and rice. Burkina Faso also has a growing gold mining sector. However, it remains one of the poorest countries in the world with limited natural resources and a heavy reliance on agricultural production, which is vulnerable to fluctuations in rainfall.
Culturally, Burkina Faso is diverse, home to several ethnic groups, each with their own languages and cultural practices. The Mossi is the largest ethnic group, playing a significant role in the nation’s history. Burkina Faso is known for its vibrant music and film scene, particularly celebrated during the biennial Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), the largest African film festival.
Despite facing significant challenges such as political instability, recurrent droughts, and security concerns related to regional conflicts, Burkina Faso continues to sustain a rich cultural identity and community-based social structures that are integral to its society.
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