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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

1 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios [time series]

370,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

all services only fair domestic: microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

30,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

0 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

100,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $277 million expenditures: $492 million, including capital expenditures of $233 million (1995 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Debt - external [time series]

$1.3 billion (1997)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$484.1 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

One of the poorest countries in the world, landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density, few natural resources, and a fragile soil. About 90% of the population is engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture which is highly vulnerable to variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and economic growth have increased. Maintenance of its macroeconomic progress in 2000-2001 depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit, and reforms designed to encourage private investment.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

209 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

225 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 64.44% hydro: 35.56% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 647.25 (January 2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995) note: since 1 January 1999, the CFAF franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro

Exports [time series]

$311 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

cotton, animal products, gold

Exports - partners [time series]

Cote d'Ivoire, Taiwan, France, Colombia, Italy, Mali

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $12.4 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 36% industry: 20% services: 44% (1997)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,100 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.5% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$572 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery, food products, petroleum

Imports - partners [time series]

Cote d'Ivoire, France, Senegal, Togo, Nigeria, US

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.2% (1995)

Industries [time series]

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.5% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

4.679 million (persons 10 years old and over, according to a sample survey taken in 1991) note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 274,200 sq km land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Colorado

Climate [time series]

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

200 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,192 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 548 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 22% forests and woodland: 50% other: 15% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

recurring droughts

Natural resources [time series]

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony, copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houe, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo note: a new electoral code was approved by the National Assembly in January 1997; the number of administrative provinces was increased from 30 to 45 (Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komandjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koupelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Naumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Samentenga, Sanguie, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondomo, Zoundweogo), however, this change has not yet been approved by the US Board on Geographic Names

Capital [time series]

Ouagadougou

Constitution [time series]

2 June 1991 approved by referendum; 11 June 1991 formally adopted

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jimmy J. KOLKER embassy: Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou telephone: [226] 306723 through 306725 FAX: [226] 303890

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Bruno ZIDOUEMBA chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Kadre Desire OUEDRAOGO (since 6 February 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; the president may serve unlimited terms; election last held 15 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president with 88% percent of the vote, with 56% of voter turnout note: despite his reelection, President COMPAORE faces a growing political crisis due to his mishandling of an investigation into the assassination of a newspaper editor and pressure for political reform

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type [time series]

parliamentary

Independence [time series]

5 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court; Appeals Court

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral; consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee des Deputes Populaires (ADP) (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the purely consultative Chamber of Representations or Chambre des Representants (178 seats; members are appointed to serve three-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 101, PDP 6, RDA 2, ADF 2

National holiday [time series]

Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

African Democratic Rally or RDA [Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO, Clement SANOU]; Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF [Herman YAMEOGO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Din Salif SAWADAGO]; Group for Progressive Democrats or GDP [Issa TIENDREBEOGO]; Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Noyabtigungu Congo KABORE]; Party for African Independence or PAI [leader NA]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Joseph KI-ZERBO]; Party for Progress and Social Development or PPDS [leader NA]; Union of Greens for the Development of Burkina Faso or UVDB [Ram OVEDRAGO]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or HBDHP; Group of 14 February; National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB; National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL; watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities

Suffrage [time series]

universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. Governmental instability during the 1970s and 1980s was followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's Militia

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$66 million (FY96)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

2% (FY96)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,500,962 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,282,483 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 48% (male 2,866,361; female 2,822,990) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,808,797; female 3,097,048) 65 years and over: 3% (male 149,474; female 201,395) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

45.26 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

17.04 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani

Infant mortality rate [time series]

108.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 46.73 years male: 46.29 years female: 47.18 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 19.2% male: 29.5% female: 9.2% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

11,946,065 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.71% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.44 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

33 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 16 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 12,506 km paved: 2,001 km unpaved: 10,505 km (1996 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

total: 622 km (517 km from Ouagadougou to the Cote d'Ivoire border and 105 km from Ouagadougou to Kaya) narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.)