West Africa.

GMT

274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles).

13.9 million (UN estimate 2005).

48 per sq km.

Ouagadougou. Population: 962,100 (2005).

Burkina Faso is situated in West Africa and bordered to the north and west by Mali, to the east by Niger, to the southeast by Benin and to the south by Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The southern part of the country, less arid than the north, is wooded savannah, gradually drying out into sand and desert in the north. The Sahara desert is relentlessly moving south, however, stripping the savannah lands of trees and slowly turning the thin layer of cultivatable soil into sun-blackened rock-hard lakenite. Three great rivers, the Mouhoun, Nazinon and Nakambé (Black, Red and White Volta), water the great plains. The population does not live in the valleys along the river banks due to the diseases prevalent there.

The June 1991 constitution allows for an elected president, who holds executive power, to be elected for a seven-year period. Representatives to the legislative assembly, the 111-strong Assemblée des Députés Populaires, are elected every four years.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Changed its name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso (Land of Dignity) in 1984. Head of State: President Blaise Compaoré since 1987. Head of Government: Prime Minister Paramanga Ernest Yonli since 2000. Recent history: Elections in 1998 and 2000 returned Blaise Compaoré and his party with substantial majorities but their integrity was undermined by opposition boycotts amid allegations of fraud of malpractice. By contrast, 2002 national assembly poll was a relatively transparent affair; the Compaoré political vehicle, now named the Congrès pour la Démocratie et le Progrès, won a narrow victory after its representation was cut in half from its previous level. In 2005, despite an amendment to the constitution in 2000 limiting each head of state to two terms of office, the Constitutional Court allowed Compaoré to run in the November presidential elections. He was re-elected with a significant majority, though the opposition feared the vote would be rigged and there was criticism of the amount of money he spent on the campaign.

The official language is French. Several other languages such as Mossi, Mooré, Dioula, Peul, Fulfuldé and Gourmantché are also spoken.

More than 40 per cent follow animist beliefs; 50 per cent are Muslim and 10 per cent Christian (mostly Roman Catholic).

Women are always expected to dress modestly since this is a Muslim country. Within the urban areas, many French customs prevail. Dress should be casual and appropriate for hot weather (yet short skirts and shorts are best avoided). Lounge suits for men and formal wear for women are required for evening entertainment. Burkina Faso is a fascinating country because of its diversity: over 60 ethnic groups dwell in this country, proud to be Burkinabé, and yet keen to preserve their own social and cultural idiosyncrasies. Outside the cities, little has changed for centuries and visitors should respect local customs and traditions.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.