Burkina Faso

Quick Facts: Who was Burkina Faso?

Subject:

Burkina Faso

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West African nation known as the 'Land of the Honest Men,' rich in history and culture.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2 (105,878 sq mi). In 2024, the country had an estimated population of approximately 23,286,000. Its citizens are known as Burkinabes, and its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso is the Mossi people, who settled the area in the 11th and 13th centuries. They established kingdoms such as Ouagadougou, Tenkodogo, and Yatenga. In 1896, it was colonized by the French as part of French West Africa; in 1958, it became a self-governing colony within the French Community. In 1960, it gained full independence with the name of the Republic of Upper Volta, with Maurice Yaméogo as the president. Since it gained its independence, the country has dealt with political instability, droughts, famines, and corruption.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There have been various coups d'état, in 1966, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, and twice in 2022, in January and September. There were also unsuccessful coup attempts in 1989, 2015, and 2023. Burkina Faso remains one of the least developed countries in the world, with a GDP of $16.226 billion in 2022. Approximately 63.8% of its population practices Islam, while 26.3% practices Christianity and 9% animistic religions, especially in the southwest of the country. The country's official languages are all national languages while Mooré is spoken by more than half of the population.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1896: 1896 Milestone — In 1896, it was colonized by the French as part of French West Africa; in 1958, it became a self-governing colony within the French Community.
2. 1960: 1960 Milestone — In 1960, it gained full independence with the name of the Republic of Upper Volta, with Maurice Yaméogo as the president.
3. 1966: 1966 Milestone — There have been various coups d'état, in 1966, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, and twice in 2022, in January and September.
4. 1989: 1989 Milestone — There were also unsuccessful coup attempts in 1989, 2015, and 2023.
5. 2024: 2024 Milestone — In 2024, the country had an estimated population of approximately 23,286,000.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Burkina Faso

True or False: “The country was named Burkina Faso because 'Faso' means 'motherland'.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The word 'Faso' comes from the Dyula language and means 'fatherland'.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Historical peer (Born in 1896) (1896): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• Alfonso Caso — Historical peer (Born in 1896) (1896): Pioneering Mexican archaeologist renowned for pre-Columbian studies.
• Abhijeet Bhattacharya — Historical peer (Born in 1958) (1958): Veteran Indian playback singer known for Hindi, Bengali, and diverse regional music.
• Alec Baldwin — Historical peer (Born in 1958) (1958): Versatile American actor known for dramatic depth and comedic timing.
• Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Sudanese military officer and leader who assumed control of Sudan in 2019.
• Adam Clayton — Historical peer (Born in 1960) (1960): Irish-English bassist and founding member of the globally renowned rock band U2.
• A. O. Scott — Historical peer (Born in 1966) (1966): American journalist and cultural critic specializing in film and literary analysis.
• A. R. Rahman — Historical peer (Born in 1966) (1966): Visionary Indian composer celebrated for blending global sounds with cinematic emotion.

Frequently Asked Questions about Burkina Faso