Faso

Faso, officially Burkina Faso, is a landlocked country in West Africa. Its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou. The country is bordered by Mali to the north and west, Niger to the east, Benin and Togo to the southeast, Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest.

The name Burkina Faso combines elements from local languages, commonly translated as "land of upright people." Burkina and Faso are drawn from Mooré and Dioula, reflecting the country’s ethnic and linguistic diversity.

Geography and climate: Burkina Faso lies in the Sahel and southern Sudanian zones, with a tropical to semi-arid climate. It is largely flat with some uplands and is drained by the Black Volta and White Volta river basins, shaping regional agriculture and settlements.

Demographics and society: The population is around 22 million. The Mossi are the largest ethnic group, with significant Fula, Gur, Senufo, and Bobo communities. French is the official language, while Mooré and Dioula are widely spoken. Islam and Christianity are the major religions, alongside traditional beliefs.

History and government: The area was home to powerful Mossi kingdoms before French colonization. It became a French colony as Upper Volta and gained independence in 1960; the name Burkina Faso was adopted in 1984. It is a republic with a semi-presidential system, though the 2020s saw periods of political instability and military coups.

Economy and culture: Agriculture dominates, with cotton and livestock as key activities; gold mining is a growing sector. The economy remains vulnerable to drought and security disruptions. Cultural life includes music, cinema, and crafts that reflect the country’s diversity.