Burkina Faso |
The Country and Environment
Like Mali, Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in West Africa surrounded by six countries: Niger to the east, Mali to the north, Ghana and Togo to the south, Benin to the south east and Cote d’Ivoire to the south west. With a population of 13.8 million, Burkina Faso is one of the most densely populated sub-Saharan countries.
Burkina Faso is made up of two types of countryside. The south-west of the country is a sandstone massif, bordered by cliffs, but the larger part of the country consists of a peneplain – a plain created through erosion – and a few isolated hills.
The country's climate is tropical with two seasons:
- The dry season during which the 'harmattan' blows - a very hot, dry wind from the Sahara dessert.
- The rainy season which starts in May/June and lasts until September, during which between 600mm and 900mm of rain falls. In the North of the country, the rainy season is shorter.
Although three major rivers run through Burkina Faso – le Mouhoun, le Nakambé and le Nazinon – and the country has a number of lakes, water shortage is a problem and the country has suffered from recurring droughts. Nearly 90% of the population depends entirely on agriculture and the irregularity of rainfall often results in food shortages in both rural and urban locations.
 |
| President: Blaise Compaoré |
In terms of its political history, the country has experienced periods of unrest. It gained its independence from France in 1960, suffered governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s, and then in June 1991 a semi-presidential government with a parliament was established. In 2002, President Blaise Compaore’s party was elected during an election process, which for the first time since multiparty democracy was established in 1991, were considered to be more free and open.
A typical village in Burkina Faso; Barry Perks
Posing for the camera; Barry Perks
