Burkino Faso

Introduction

World Factbook: "Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s."

Wealth and National Well-Being

Country Comparisons: chart

World Factbook: "Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual privatization of state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment... Gold mining production doubled between 2009 and 2010. Two new mining projects were launched the third quarter of 2011... The risk of a mass exodus of the 3 to 4 million Burinabe who live and work in Cote D'Ivoire has dissipated and trade, power, and transport links are being restored."

Economic growth rate
2011: 4.9%
2010: 7.9%
2009: 3.2%

Labor force in agriculture
2000: 90%

Unemployment rate
2004: 77%

Export commodities
gold, cotton, livestock

Export partners
2009: China 17.3%, Belgium 11.6%, Singapore 9.3%, Indonesia 7.6%, Turkey 6.4%, Thailand 4.8%, Japan 4.2%

Exports/imports

2011: exports $1.591 billion, imports $2.25 billion

Income Distribution – gini index
Ranks 63rd among 140 countries (higher rank number is more equal, lower rank number is less equal). Less equal than Britain, which ranks 94th, and more equal than the US, which ranks 45th.

Health expenditures
2009: 6.4% of GDP

People

Living in an urban area
2010: 26%
2008: 20%

Density estimated for 2005: 50 persons per square kilometer.

Ethnic groups
Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)

Religions
Muslim 60.5%, Catholic 19%, animist 15.3%, Protestant 4.2%, other 0.6%, none 0.4%

Literacy (age 15 and older)
2003: male 29.4%, female 15.2%

Geography

This is a landlocked country, slightly larger than Colorado, in tropical western Africa, just north of Ghana and west of Nigeria.

Government

Chief of state: Blaise Compaoré (president) since 15 October 1987, Congress Party for Democracy and Progress. Head of government: Luc-Adolphe Tiao (prime minister) since 18 April 2011, Congress for Democracy and Progress

Burkino Faso is a parliamentary republic. The president is elected by popular vote for five-year terms. Unicameral legislature: the National Assembly, its members elected by populr vote for five-year terms.

Capital: Ouagadougou

Recent History

In 1960, Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) acquired complete independence from France.

During the 1970s and 80's were military coups.

President Compaore has been in office since 15 October 1987, following a coup that ousted then-President Thomas Sankara. He began his rule as part of a triumvirate. In September 1989 the other two, Henri Zongo and Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lingani, were arrested, charged with plotting to overthrow the government and executed.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/