Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It covers an area of around 274,200 square kilometres and is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togo and Ghana to the south; and Ivory Coast to the southwest. Its capital is Ouagadougou. In 2014 its population was estimated at just over 17.3 million. Burkina Faso is a francophone country, with French as an official language of government and business. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, the country was renamed “Burkina Faso” on 4 August 1984 by then-President Thomas Sankara. The citizens of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabé. The northwestern part of present-day Burkina Faso was populated by hunter-gatherers from 14000 BC to 5000 BC. From the 3rd to the 13th centuries AD, the Iron Age Bura culture existed in the territory of present-day southeastern Burkina Faso and southwestern Niger. Various ethnic groups of present-day Burkina Faso, such as the Mossi, Fula and Dyula, arrived in successive waves between the 8th and 15th centuries. From the 11th century the Mossi people established several separate kingdoms.
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic centre of the nation. It is also the country’s largest city, with a population of 1,475,223. The city’s name is often shortened to Ouaga. The inhabitants are called ouagalais. The spelling of the name Ouagadougou is derived from the French orthography common in former French African colonies. Ouagadougou’s primary industries are food processing and textiles. It is served by an international airport and it is linked by rail to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. There is no rail service to Kaya. There is a paved highway to Niamey, Niger, south to Ghana, and southwest to Ivory Coast. Ouagadougou was the site of Ouagadougou grand market, one of the largest markets in West Africa, which burned in 2003 and has since been reopened. Other attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso, the Moro-Naba Palace, the National Museum of Music, and several craft markets.
Bobo-Dioulasso is a city in Burkina Faso with a population of about 537,728; it is the second largest city in the country, after Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital. The name means “home of the Bobo-Dioula”; while it was likely coined by French colonists to reflect the languages of the two major groups in the population, it does not capture the complex identity and ethnicity of the location. The local Bobo-speaking population refers to the city simply as Sia. There are two distinct dialects spoken of Jula, based on the origins of different peoples who speak this language. The city is situated in the southwest of the country, in the Houet Province, some 350 km from Ouagadougou. Bobo-Dioulasso is significant both economically and culturally, as it is a major center of culture and music.
Large national park containing a number of big game animals including elephants & lions.
Tenkodogo is a department or commune of Boulgou Province in eastern Burkina Faso. Its capital is the town of Tenkodogo. According to the 1996 census the department has a total population of 113,716
Sindou is a town located in the province of Léraba in Burkina Faso. It is the capital of Léraba Province and the Sindou Department. Sindou is a simple but lively town, with roadside kiosks, and stalls that serve rice. Tiemoko Ouattara is president of the local tourist association known as the Soutrala Terya Association. Locals celebrate marriages or funerals with balafon drums and there is traditional dancing all day for two weeks around Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. For ritual dancing, the women and girls dress up in bras and skirts with colorful Christmas garlands and have their faces and bodies painted. They dance in a large circle around trees from dawn until dusk in the old sector of Sindou during rituals times. There are numerous restaurants in the town, notably Chez Paul’s which is located across from Sindou Police Station on the main road. It is known for its guinea-fowl soup or riz sauce and also serves spaghetti or chicken. Chez Bima’s located across from Sindou petrol station has an outdoor dancing area with spotlights that is popular for parties at the weekend.