Terrain
Mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
Sahel Region: Terrain/Geography (1:10)
Climate
Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
People
Nationality: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
Population: 18,365,123 (July 2014 est.)
Languages: French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Religions
Muslim 60.5%, Catholic 19%, animist 15.3%, Protestant 4.2%, other 0.6%, none 0.4% (2006 est.)
Economy
Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are key exports. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has begun to privatize state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment.
MIGRATION WITHIN AFRICA (TO NIGERIA) (2:02)
Living Conditions
For those who live in rural villages, life has changed little over the centuries. Most people live in adobe houses with thatched roofs. Electricity is available only in towns and cities, where some modern conveniences have been introduced. In rural areas, radios are battery powered. Water is carried from the well to the house in large pottery containers. Women carry these on their heads.
Government
Parliamentary republic
US Military Presence/Support