Discover Fascinating Burkina Faso Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso
Background
Burkina Faso is a country with a rich history! π§π« It gained its independence from France in 1960. However, its journey since then has been quite tumultuous, with repeated military coups marking much of the nationβs history. On top of that, Burkina Faso faces significant challenges including terrorism, recurrent drought, food insecurity, and poverty. πΎπ So, while it has a vibrant culture, these issues are present and affect the daily lives of many people in the country.
Year of Independence
1960
Ongoing Problems
Terrorism, drought, food insecurity, poverty
Exports - commodities
Burkina Faso is known for exporting a variety of important commodities! π Here are some of the key exports:
- Gold: A precious metal that shines bright and is highly valued all over the world. β¨
- Cotton: Soft and fluffy, this plant-based fiber is a big hit in the fashion industry! π
- Oil seeds: These seeds are essential for making cooking oils and are loved for their healthy fats. π±
- Coconuts/Brazil nuts/Cashews: Crunchy and delicious! These nuts are perfect for snacking and adding flavor to meals. π₯₯π₯
- Zinc ore: This mineral is crucial for many industries, making it a valuable export for Burkina Faso! βοΈ
These commodities play a significant role in the country's economy, helping to boost trade and bring in revenue. π΅
Key Export Commodities
Gold, Cotton, Oil seeds, Coconuts/Brazil nuts/Cashews, Zinc ore
Exports - partners
Burkina Faso has a diverse range of export partners, with Switzerland leading the pack! π¨π In 2022, a whopping 74% of its exports went to Switzerland! Other notable partners include the UAE at 7%, Mali at 4%, and both Singapore and Cote d'Ivoire holding 2% each. This shows the global connections Burkina Faso has for its exports! ππ
Percentage of exports to Switzerland
74%
Percentage of exports to UAE
7%
Percentage of exports to Mali
4%
Percentage of exports to Singapore
2%
Percentage of exports to Cote d'Ivoire
2%
Burkina Faso's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
π The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou. It's not just a name; it's the heart of the country, buzzing with life and culture! ποΈ
Imports - commodities
Burkina Faso imports a variety of important commodities! π Hereβs a peek at what they bring in to fuel their economy and satisfy needs:
- Refined Petroleum
- Electricity β‘
- Packaged Medicine π
- Plastic Products ποΈ
- Natural Gas π₯
These imports play a crucial role in supporting daily life and various industries in Burkina Faso. Let's celebrate the diversity of what this country brings in! π
List of major imports
Refined Petroleum, Electricity, Packaged Medicine, Plastic Products, Natural Gas
Climate
Burkina Faso is a country with diverse climate zones! π Let's explore its three main climates:
- Hot Tropical Savanna: This zone features warm temperatures and has a short rainy season, mainly located in the southern half of Burkina Faso. π¦οΈ
- Tropical Hot Semi-Arid Steppe: Found in the northern half, this climate is typical of the Sahel region and experiences less rainfall. βοΈ
- Hot Desert: This area is very hot and dry, located in the extreme north of the country, right next to the Sahara Desert. ποΈ
Each of these zones plays a role in shaping the agriculture, lifestyle, and ecology of Burkina Faso. π±
Executive branch
π§π« In Burkina Faso, the executive branch is led by two key figures! The current Transitional President is Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE, who has been in charge since 30 September 2022. ποΈ On the other hand, the Prime Minister is Joachim KYLEM DE TAMBELA, who took office on 21 October 2022. πΌ Together, they guide the country through its transitions and challenges!
Current Transitional President
Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE
Date of presidential appointment
30 September 2022
Current Prime Minister
Joachim KYLEM DE TAMBELA
Date of prime ministerial appointment
21 October 2022
Legislative branch
In Burkina Faso, the legislative branch is represented by the Transitional Legislative Assembly, which consists of 71 members. This assembly plays a crucial role in shaping the laws and governance of the country. ποΈβ¨ Each member has a voice in making important decisions that affect the daily lives of citizens.
Total members in the Transitional Legislative Assembly
71
Natural resources
Burkina Faso is rich in a variety of natural resources that are super important for its economy! ππ° Let's dive into what the country has to offer:
- Gold: This shiny metal is one of the most valuable resources in Burkina Faso!
- Manganese: Essential for making steel, manganese is another valuable resource found here.
- Zinc: Used in many industries, zinc plays a crucial role in construction and manufacturing.
- Limestone: Great for building materials, limestone is plentiful in Burkina Faso.
- Marble: Beautiful and strong, marble is not just for floors; it's a symbol of luxury! ποΈ
- Phosphates: Important for fertilizers, phosphates help in farming and food production.
- Pumice: This volcanic rock has many uses, from beauty products to construction.
- Salt: Used for cooking and preserving food, salt is a staple resource! π§
With all these fantastic resources, Burkina Faso has the potential to grow and provide for its people and beyond!
Total natural resources available
8
Economic overview
Burkina Faso's economy is primarily based on agriculture πΎ, making it a highly agrarian society. However, it faces challenges as it's classified as a low-income economy π. The country has limited natural resources, which contributes to widespread poverty among its population. Additionally, terrorism is a significant threat, disrupting economic activities and development π.
On a positive note, Burkina Faso is seeing improvements in its trade balance, especially with increased gold exports π. This has helped the economy to experience inflation after a period of deflation π. Although public debt is growing, it remains manageable π, indicating potential for future development and stability.
Economic classification
Low-income economy
Economic focus
Agriculture
Impact of terrorism
Disrupts economic activity
Gold exports impact
Improving trade balance
Debt status
Growing but manageable
Government type
Burkina Faso is a presidential republic! π³οΈ This means that the president is not just the head of state but also the head of government. The president has a significant role in making decisions and leading the country. (Isn't that interesting?) π€
Ethnic groups
Burkina Faso is a vibrant tapestry of cultures and ethnicities! π Check out the breakdown of the major ethnic groups:
- Mossi: 53.7%
- Fulani (Peuhl): 6.8%
- Gurunsi: 5.9%
- Bissa: 5.4%
- Gurma: 5.2%
- Bobo: 3.4%
- Senufo: 2.2%
- Lobi: 1.5%
- Tuareg/Bella: 0.1%
- Other: 12.8%
- Foreign: 0.7%
Isn't it fascinating to see how diverse the population is? Letβs visualize these ethnic groups using a pie chart to see how they contribute to the nationβs identity! π
Percentage of Mossi
53.7%
Percentage of Fulani (Peuhl)
6.8%
Percentage of Gurunsi
5.9%
Percentage of Bissa
5.4%
Percentage of Gurma
5.2%
Percentage of Bobo
3.4%
Percentage of Senufo
2.2%
Percentage of Lobi
1.5%
Percentage of Tuareg/Bella
0.1%
Percentage of Other
12.8%
Percentage of Foreign
0.7%
Ethnic Groups in Burkina Faso
Religions
In Burkina Faso, the majority of the population follows Islam, making up 63.8% of the religious landscape! π Following closely behind is Roman Catholicism at 20.1%. There are also followers of Animism at 9%, Protestantism at 6.2%, and a small segment of the population identifies with other religions at 0.2% or claims no religion at all, accounting for 0.7%. This highlights a rich tapestry of beliefs in this vibrant country! β¨
Muslim Percentage
63.8%
Roman Catholic Percentage
20.1%
Animiste Percentage
9%
Protestant Percentage
6.2%
Other Religions Percentage
0.2%
No Religion Percentage
0.7%
Religious Distribution in Burkina Faso (2019)
Languages
In Burkina Faso, a colorful mix of languages reflects its rich culture! π Hereβs how the languages stack up among the people based on the data from 2019:
- Mossi: 52.9% - The most spoken language, it captures half of the conversations! π’
- Fula: 7.8% - A strong presence for this language.
- Gourmantche: 6.8% - Adding to the diversity!
- Dyula: 5.7% - Another valuable player in communication.
- Bissa: 3.3% - Speaking this language shows the depth of local heritage.
- Gurunsi: 3.2% - A sweet touch to the language landscape.
- French (official): 2.2% - The official language, making its mark. π«π·
- Bwamu: 2% - An important part of the community.
- Dagara: 2% - Continuing the variety!
- San: 1.7% - Contributing to the local flavor.
- Marka: 1.6% - Another rich language to discover.
- Bobo: 1.5% - Part of the amazing tapestry.
- Senufo: 1.5% - A gem in their linguistic range.
- Lobi: 1.2% - A lovely addition to the mix.
- Other: 6.6% - A category that includes various other languages! π£οΈ
This variety illustrates the vibrant community and heritage of Burkina Faso! πβ¨
Total percentage accounted for
93.4%
Percent of speakers using Mossi
52.9%
Number of languages accounted for
14
Languages Spoken in Burkina Faso (2019)
Imports - partners
Burkina Faso trades a lot with its neighbors and other countries around the world! π Let's look at where Burkina Faso gets its imports from based on the data from 2022. Here's the breakdown of the top import partners:
- Cote d'Ivoire: 16%
- China: 12%
- Russia: 7%
- France: 7%
- Ghana: 5%
Isn't it interesting to see how important these countries are to Burkina Faso? π Each percentage illustrates the share of imports from these partners, making Cote d'Ivoire the biggest player!
To visualize this awesome data, let's create a pie chart that shows us how these imports are divided. π₯§πΌ
Total Import Partners Represented
5
Burkina Faso's Import Partners (2022)
Population
Burkina Faso has a total population of 23,042,199 people! π That's a lot of folks living in this beautiful country. From bustling cities to peaceful villages, each person has a unique story to tell. π
Total Population
23,042,199
Area
π Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa with a total area of 274,200 sq km! That's a big space! Here's a closer look at its area breakdown:
- Land Area: 273,800 sq km ποΈ
- Water Area: 400 sq km π§
This means that most of Burkina Faso is made up of land, with just a tiny bit of water! Let's dive into those numbers and see how they compare! π
Total Area
274200 sq km
Land Area
273800 sq km
Water Area
400 sq km
Area Distribution in Burkina Faso
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Let's take a look at how Burkina Faso's economy is growing over the last few years! The Real GDP (purchasing power parity) is a crucial measure that helps us understand the country's economic health. Hereβs what we found out:
- In 2021, the GDP was $54.539 billion.
- By 2022, it had increased to $55.508 billion.
- A significant jump happened in 2023, with the GDP reaching $57.152 billion!
This shows a steady upward trend in the economy, which is super exciting! π
Total GDP in 2023
$57.152 billion
Total GDP in 2022
$55.508 billion
Total GDP in 2021
$54.539 billion
Real GDP Growth in Burkina Faso (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per Capita in Burkina Faso ππ΅
Burkina Faso's economy has shown some interesting changes in recent years! Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita, which helps us understand how much money each person would have if the total GDP was divided evenly among everyone. Here are the numbers for recent years:
- 2023: $2,500
- 2022: $2,400
- 2021: $2,500
As you can see, from 2021 to 2022, the GDP per capita dropped slightly, but it bounced back up in 2023! π Isn't it amazing how economies can fluctuate?
Let's visualize this with a bar chart! π
Real GDP per Capita in 2023
$2,500
Real GDP per Capita in 2022
$2,400
Real GDP per Capita in 2021
$2,500
Real GDP per Capita in Burkina Faso (2021-2023)
Imports
π Burkina Faso's imports have been on the rise over the past few years! π In 2022, the country imported a whopping $6.761 billion. Let's take a look at how these numbers stacked up in the previous years:
- 2020: $4.779 billion
- 2021: $5.835 billion
It's clear that Burkina Faso is increasing its imports π! How exciting is that?
Total Import Value in 2022
$6.761 billion
Total Import Value in 2021
$5.835 billion
Total Import Value in 2020
$4.779 billion
Burkina Faso's Imports Over Time
Exports
π Burkina Faso's exports have seen some fluctuations over the last few years! Let's take a look at the export values in billions of dollars:
- 2020: $5.356 billion
- 2021: $6.234 billion
- 2022: $5.814 billion
The numbers show how Burkina Faso's export economy is changing year by year. π
Highest Export Year
$6.234 billion
Lowest Export Year
$5.356 billion
Average Exports (2020-2022)
$5.801 billion
Burkina Faso Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
π Burkina Faso is experiencing a population growth rate of 2.4% in 2024! This means that the number of people living in Burkina Faso is expected to increase, leading to a more vibrant and diverse community. Just imagine the bustling streets filled with new faces and exciting opportunities! ππ
Estimated Population Growth Rate in 2024
2.4%