A poor country even by West African standards, the landlocked state of Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts, matched in number only by the military coups it has endured, especially during the 1980s.
Burkina Faso has significant reserves of gold, but the production of cotton remains the economic mainstay for many Burkinabes. However, the industry is highly vulnerable to changes in world prices.
Formerly Upper Volta, Burkina Faso has spent many of its post-independence years under military rule.
After taking power in a 1983 coup, Thomas Sankara adopted a policy of nonalignment, developed relations with Libya and Ghana, and gave the country its present name, which translates as "land of honest men".
In 1987 Mr Sankara was overthrown and then executed in a coup masterminded by Blaise Compaore, who has since instituted a multiparty system.
Burkina Faso has faced domestic and external concern over the state of its economy and human rights, and allegations that it has been involved in the smuggling of diamonds by rebels in Sierra Leone.
A rebellion in neighbouring Ivory Coast has raised tensions. Ivory Coast has accused Burkina Faso of backing rebels who hold the north of the country, a claim denied by Ouagadougou, which accuses its neighbour of mistreating Burkinabes living in Ivory Coast.
- Population: 13.8 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Ouagadougou
- Area: 274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles)
- Major languages: French, indigenous languages
- Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
- Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 48 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
- Main exports: Cotton, animal products, gold
- GNI per capita: US $300 (World Bank, 2005)
- Internet domain: .bf
- International dialling code: +226
President: Blaise Campaore
President Blaise Campaore |
Former military leader Blaise Campaore won a second presidential term with a landslide victory in 1998's elections.
Born in 1950 and trained as a soldier in Cameroon and Morocco, Mr Compaore served under Thomas Sankara as minister of state to the presidency, before deposing and executing him in 1987.
He disarmed local militias and, despite his reputed left-wing leanings, embarked on a programme of privatisation and austerity measures sponsored by the International Monetary Fund.
After officially eschewing socialism, he was elected president unopposed in 1991. Mr Campaore says he will stand for re-election in late 2005.
Prime minister: Ernest Paramanga Yonli
Foreign minister: Youssouf Ouedraogo
Finance minister: Jean-Baptiste Marie Pascal Campaore
The Ministry of Communication and Culture regulates the media. Despite practising self-censorship many media outlets, particularly private ones, are often critical of the government.
Some journalists are reported to have been threatened or arrested. Inquiries into the 1998 killing of the well-known and respected newspaper journalist Norbert Zongo have yet to bring to book those responsible.
There are about a dozen private radio stations, a private television channel and many private publications. The BBC World Service, Voice of America and Radio France Internationale are available via local relays in Ouagadougou.
The press
Sidwaya - official daily
L'Observateur Paalga - private
Le Pays - private, daily
Television
Television Nationale du Burkina - state-run
Radio
Radio Burkina - state-run
Pulsar Radio - private
Radio Horizon FM - private
News agencies
Agence d'Information du Burkina - official agency
