Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso All... Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso Ouagadougou, or as the locals simply call it, Ouaga, is a truly African capital. Although it is the political center of one of the world's poorest countries, the city is filled with good restaurants, hotels and nightspots, and the locals are known for their friendly dispositions and upbeat attitudes. Although Burkina Faso is a presidential republic, the emperor of the Mossi people is still one of the most important figures in the country. Moro-Naba, as he is called, is still consulted by the government before any big decisions are made, and an important ritual takes place at his palace every Friday. The formal ceremony lasts less than a half hour, but prominent people from around the country come and sit in rank before a cannon is shot. The Moro-Naba arrives decked out in red costume, symbolic for war, and riding an elaborately decorated horse. The most senior visitors pay their respects to the traditional chief, then His Majesty disappears only to come back again in white clothing, symbolizing peace.

The subjects are invited into the palace for milk, Kola nut drinks and millet beer while the chief rules on petty crimes and local disputes. Visitors are welcome to view the fascinating ceremony by entering the compound from the east, but photography is forbidden. The National Museum is located about 10 kilometers outside the city center and is still a work-in-progress. The small but growing collection highlights traditional costumes of the country's major ethnic groups, ancestral statues and various masks. Dusty pavilions host the galleries, and although the labels are solely in French, the museum is still well worth a visit. Visitors interested in traditional music will be delighted by the Museum of Music. The imaginatively designed gallery space is filled with flutes, tambour drums, harps, xylophones and other music-makers from around Burkina Faso. The foot castanets are particularly interesting, and French-speaking guides offer insight into each of the pieces. More musical instruments are on display at the Manega Museum. The collection also includes Mossi rifles and other artifacts from around the country. On the outskirts of the city lies the grave of Thomas Sankara.

President of the country from 1983 to 1987, Sankara is regarded as an icon of the revolution as is commonly called the Che Guevara of Africa. The Marxist revolutionary is also beloved for his ambitious social and economic programs. His grave remains a reminder of the most hopeful time in the country's history, and it continues to hold great political significance for locals. Ouagadougou is a fairly green city, and the Bangre Weoogo park is a favorite of locals, especially those with children. The park's small zoo is home to many crocodiles and other indigenous animals, and the area is regarded as sacred to locals. The Garden of Ouaga-Loudun Friendship is also worth exploring. The green space was redone in 1996 and symbolizes the relationship between the capital and its sister city in France. The friendship between France and Burkina Faso is also evident at the Place du Grand Lyon. Located near the Center George Mélies, the monument is one of the most beautiful in the city. Another notable monument in Ouagadougou stands just across from the railway station. The six-meter stone statue depicts a woman pouring water out of a calabash.

It is usually the first sight visitors see when they arrive in Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou Geographical Location Ouagadougou is located in the center of Burkina Faso and is it’s largest city. The population of Ouagadougou is approximately 1,730,000 in the metropolitan area. Ouagadougou Language French is the official language of Burkina Faso but the majority of the population speaks native African languages. Ouagadougou Predominant Religion Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso 487 Ouagadougou (/ˌwɑːɡəˈduːɡuː/; Mossi: [ˈwaɡᵊdᵊɡᵊ]) 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 (as of 2006).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. Tell your friends Tweet Ouagadougou's primary industries are food processing and textiles. It is served by an international airport, rail links 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 (site of the Moro-Naba Ceremony), the National Museum of Music, and several craft markets. History The name Ouagadougou dates back to the 15th century when the Ninsi tribes inhabited the area.

They were in constant conflict until 1441 when Wubri, a Yonyonse hero and an important figure in Burkina Faso's history, led his tribe to victory. He then renamed the area from "Kumbee-Tenga", as the Ninsi had called it, to "Wage sabre soba koumbem tenga", meaning "head war chief's village". Ouagadougou is a Francophone spelling of the name. The city became the capital of the Mossi Empire in 1441 and was the permanent residence of the Mossi emperors (Moro-Naba) from 1681.[3] The Moro-Naba Ceremony is still performed every Friday by the Moro-Naba and his court. The French made Ouagadougou the capital of the Upper Volta territory (basically the same area as contemporary independent Burkina Faso) in 1919. In 1954 the railroad line from Ivory Coast reached the city. The population of Ouagadougou doubled from 1954 to 1960 and has been doubling since about every ten years.

Government The first municipal elections were held in 1956. Ouagadougou is governed by a mayor, who is elected for a five-year term, two senior councillors, and 90 councillors. The city is divided into five arrondissements, consisting of 30 sectors, which are subdivided into districts. Districts of Ouagadougou include Gounghin, Kamsaoghin, Koulouba, Moemmin, Niogsin, Paspanga, Peuloghin, Bilbalogho, and Tiendpalogo. Seventeen villages comprise the Ouagadougou metropolitan area, which is about 219.3 square kilometres (84.7 sq mi). The city is clean, pleasant, well-organized and relatively safe. There are good restaurants and hotels, clean water, and dependable electricity. Streets are paved, there are stoplights, which most drivers respect. Traffic is congested in some neighborhoods in the mornings and late afternoons. The population of this area is estimated to be 1,475,000 inhabitants, 48% of which are men and 52% women.

The rural population is about 5% and the urban population about 95% of the total, and the density is 6,727 inhabitants per square kilometer, according to 2006 census. Concerning city management, the communes of Ouagadougou have made the decision to invest in huge projects. This is largely because Ouagadougou constitutes a 'cultural centre' by merit of holding the SIAO (International Arts and Crafts fair) and the FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou). Moreover, the growing affluence of the villages allow for such investment, and the population's rapid growth necessitates it. Climate The climate of Ouagadougou is hot semi-arid (BSh) under Köppen-Geiger classification, that closely borders with tropical wet and dry (Aw). The city is part of the Sudano-Sahelian area, with a rainfall of about 800 mm (31 in) per year. The rainy season stretches from May to October, its height from June to September, with a mean average temperature of 28 пїЅC (82 пїЅF).

The cold season runs from December to January, with a minimum average temperature of 16 пїЅC (61 пїЅF). The maximum temperature during the hot season, which runs from March to May, can reach 43 пїЅC (109 пїЅF). The harmattan (a dry wind) and the monsoon are the two main factors that determine Ouagadougou's climate. Even though Ouagadougou is farther from the equator, its hottest months' temperatures are slightly hotter than those of Bobo-Dioulasso, the second most populous city. Education Though literacy in Ouagadougou is not high, there are three universities in the city. The largest college is the state University of Ouagadougou which was founded in 1974 and the UUPN, University of United Popular Nations based on international learning system. In 2010 it had around 40,000 students in 2010 (83% of the national population of university students). The official language in the city is French and the principal local languages are More, Dyula and Fulfulde.

The bilingual program in schools (French plus one of the local languages) was established in 1994.[4] But this so-called bilingual program has never been effective. The local authorities have failed to implement it. Sport, culture, and leisure A wide array of sports, including association football, basketball, and volleyball, is played by Ouagadougou inhabitants. There are sports tournaments and activities organized by the local authorities. There are a number of cultural and art venues, such as the Maison du Peuple and Salle des Banquets, in addition to performances of many genres of music, including traditional folk music, modern music, and rap. Art and crafts Several international festivals and activities are organized within the municipality, such as FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou), which is Africa's largest festival of this type, SIAO (International Art and Craft Fair), FESPAM (Pan-African Music Festival), FITMO (International Theatre and Marionnette Festival) and FESTIVO. Health Ouagadougou has both state and private hospitals.

The two state hospitals in the city are the Centre hospitalier national Yalgado Ouedraogo (CHNYO) and the Centre hospitalier national pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle (CHNP-CDG), but there are also private hospitals. Despite that, the local population still largely can only afford traditional local medicine and the "pharmacopée". Transport Many residents travel on motorcycles and mopeds. The large private vendor of motorcycles JC Megamonde sells 50,000 motorbikes and mopeds every year. Ouagadougou's citizens also travel in green cabs, which take their passengers anywhere in town for 200 to 400 CFA, but the price is higher after 10:00 pm and can then reach 1000 CFA.[citation needed] Air transport Ouagadougou Airport (code OUA) serves the area with flights to West Africa and Europe. Air Burkina has its head office in the Air Burkina Storey Building (French: Immeuble Air Burkina) in Ouagadougou.

Rail Ouagadougou is connected by passenger rail service to Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou and Ivory Coast. As of June 2014 Sitarail operates a passenger train three times a week along the route from Ouagadougou to Abidjan. There are freight services to Kaya in the north of Burkina Faso and in 2014 plans were announced to revive freight services to the Manganese mine at Tambao starting in 2016. ... Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news and deals! Subscribe Where is Burkina Faso? / Where is Burkina Faso Located in The World? / Burkina Faso Map - WorldAtlas.com What is the capital of Burkina Faso? Located in the continent of Africa , Burkina Faso covers 273,800 square kilometers of land and 400 square kilometers of water, making it the 75th largest nation in the world with a total area of 274,200 square kilometers. Burkina Faso became an independent state in 1960, after gaining its sovereignty from France.

The population of Burkina Faso is 17,275,115 (2012) and the nation has a density of 63 people per square kilometer. The currency of Burkina Faso is the CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF). As well, the people of Burkina Faso are refered to as Burkinabe. The dialing code for the country is 226 and the top level internet domain for Burkinabe sites is .bf. Burkina Faso shares land borders with 6 countries: Mali , Niger , Cote d'Ivoire , Ghana , Benin , Togo . To learn more, visit our detailed Burkina Faso section. Quick facts Burkina Faso Send me a copy Subject: Email addresses provided here will be used solely to email the link indicated. They will not be saved, shared, or used again in any manner whatsoever.

The CAPTCHA code you entered is not valid, please reenter the CAPTCHA code Burkina Faso Last Updated: January 5, 2017 Alerts & Warnings Must be valid at time of entry BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: One blank page required for entry stamp TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Avenue Sembène Ousmane, Rue 15.873 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Consular e-mail: consularouaga@state.gov Destination Description See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Burkina Faso for information on U.S. – Burkina Faso relations. Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements Visit the Embassy of Burkina Faso website for the most current visa information. We strongly urge U.S. citizens to acquire visas for Burkina Faso before traveling to the country. U.S. citizens traveling to Burkina Faso can apply for a visa by mail, in person, or at the Embassy of Burkina Faso , where they can receive a five-year multiple-entry visa. Single-entry and multiple-entry visas with a maximum validity of three months are available upon arrival in Burkina Faso.

Once in Burkina Faso you can apply for a five-year multiple entry visa at the Visa Office of Ouagadougou located in Gounghin. (Note: Several companies that offer visa services, but have no affiliation with the Government of Burkina Faso, have set up sites to resemble that of the Embassy of Burkina Faso. The correct web address for the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington DC is ; the site for Burkina Faso’s Permanent Mission to the UN is ). All travelers older than nine months are required to present their current and valid World Health Organization (WHO) “International Certificate of Vaccination” card (commonly called a “yellow card”) showing that their yellow fever vaccination is up-to-date. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Burkina Faso. Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction , and Customs Information on our websites. Safety and Security See the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Burkina Faso and Worldwide Caution for current security information.

Terrorism: Violent extremist elements, including, but not limited to al-Qaida in the Lands of Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and extremists tied to al-Murabitun, remain active in Bukina Faso and throughout the region. They have specifically targeted Westerners in attacks and kidnappings. On January 15, 2016, armed assailants attacked civilians at the Splendid Hotel and Cappuccino restaurant, killing people of 10 different nationalities, including one U.S. citizen. Violent extremist and militant elements, AQIM and al-Murabitun, have claimed responsibility for the attack. Civil Unrest: Demonstrations may occur with little to no advance warning throughout Burkina Faso. Maintain a surplus of supplies including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies in case the need to shelter-in-place arises. U.S. citizens should remain vigilant and utilize appropriate personal security practices, including: avoiding large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations; maintaining situational awareness and exercise good judgment; remaining alert and aware of your surroundings; staying abreast of the situation through media outlets.

Crime: Crime rates are a concern in the major cities of Burkina Faso and foreign nationals are often directly targeted. Purse snatchings, muggings, and thefts from hotel rooms are common. You should remain vigilant in crowded areas and ensure your personal belongings are secure at all times. Security risks increase during nightime, so avoid traveling alone after dark. Be alert and aware of your surroundings, travel with a group of people if at all possible, and avoid poorly lit streets and narrow alleys. Travel in convoys when outside of major urban areas to deter roadside crime.Roadside banditry occurs most frequently in the East region, which borders Niger, Benin, and Togom, and increasingly in the Center-East, Center-North and Center-West regions, which include highways out of Ouagadougou. Bandits often use spotters at highway checkpoints and bus stations to profile and identify potential victims. While bandits mainly steal valuables, they may physically harm victims during the course of a robbery. Exercise caution when traveling along the northern areas of the country near the Mali and Niger borders. The Government of Burkina Faso and the U.S. Embassy have limited ability to provide assistance in the Sahel Reserve region.

The U.S. Embassy has placed restrictions on official government travel to Dori, Djibo, the road that connects these cities, and all areas north of that road. Embassy personnel are also prohibited from traveling to or staying at Parc National du W (Parc W), the regional national park located on Burkina Faso’s southeastern border with Niger and Benin. U.S. citizens are encouraged to follow the same guidance. See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams. Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 10-10 and contact the U.S. Embassy. The national emergency telephone number, 10-10,will connect a caller to the Ministry of Security who can then dispatch the appropriate law enforcement or emergency assistance entity. Within Ouagadougou, emergency services numbers are as follows: Fire Department Dial 25-30-69-47 or 25-30-69-48 for administrative issues. Ambulance Service: Dial 25-30-66-44 or 25-30-66-45 for administrative issues.

Police: Dial 25-36-44-42 or 25-32-60-69 for administrative issues. Gendarmerie (Military Police): Dial 16 or 80-00-11-45 for emergencies. Dial 25-30-32-71 or 25-31-33-40 for administrative issues. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. help you find appropriate medical care assist you in reporting a crime to the police contact relatives or friends with your written consent explain the local criminal justice process in general terms provide a list of local attorneys provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution help you find accommodation and arrange flights home replace a stolen or lost passport Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. For further information: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report . LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Burkina Faso. LGBTI persons are at times threatened and face societal discrimination.. Same-sex civil unions or marriages are not recognized by the government, nor do LGBTI organizations receive official recognition by the government. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details. Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Accommodation and accessibility for individuals with disabilities is limited in Burkina Faso. Access to buildings, pedestrian paths and transportation is extremely difficult for persons with disabilities. Most cafés, restaurants, hotels, and residential buildings have stairs at the entrance without wheelchair ramps.

Buses and taxis do not have special accommodations for disabled persons. Google Map of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Nations Online Project About Ouagadougou Satellite view is showing Ouagadougou, largest city and the national capital of Burkina Faso , a landlocked country between Mali in north, and Ghana and Togo in south. Burkina Faso’s primate city is located in the center of the country, it is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the nation. According to oral history, the city was founded somewhere down the line between the 12th and 13th century and served as one of the administrative centers of the Mossi Kingdoms, which dominated the region of the upper Volta river for centuries. Road to Ouagadougou. Photo: Ferdinand Reus The urban settlement of today Ouagadougou located on the central plateau, was structured around the imperial 'palace' of the Mogho Naba, the emperor, revered as the "Rising Sun" by the Mossi people.

It was the center of power of the Mossi Kingdom of Wogodogo (transl.: "where people receive honor and respect") from the mid 15th century until the late 19th century until the coming of the French with their expansion and colonization ideology, their superior supply infrastrucure and their weapon power. Today Ouagadougou, often shorted to Ouaga, has a population of about 1.5 million people. Spoken languages are French (official) and indigenous languages of the Sudanic family. The map shows a city map of Ouagadougou with expressways, main roads and streets, and the location of Ouagadougou International Airport ( IATA code : OUA). To find a location use the form below. To view just the map, click on the "Map" button. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country. Local Time Burkina Faso: No time offset UTC / GMT 0 hours φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Google Earth: Searchable map/satellite view of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

City Coordinates: 12°21′26″N 1°32′7″W Burkina Faso | history - geography | Britannica.com Burkina Faso National anthem of Burkina Faso Official name multiparty republic with one legislative body (National Assembly [127])1 Head of state President: Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Head of government Prime Minister: Paul Kaba Thieba Capital Literacy: percentage of population age 15 and over literate Male: (2007) 36.7% GNI per capita (U.S.$) (2014) 710 1A transitional government (effective November 2014) came to an end upon the inauguration of a democratically elected president on Dec. 29, 2015, and a new National Assembly elected its president (Salif Diallo) the following day. Burkina Faso, landlocked country in western Africa . The country occupies an extensive plateau, and its geography is characterized by a savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Burkinabé woman decorating a hut, Zécco, Burkina Faso. © Margaret Courtney-Clarke/Corbis A former French colony, it gained independence as Upper Volta in 1960; the name Burkina Faso, which means “Land of Incorruptible People,” was adopted in 1984. The capital, Ouagadougou , is in the centre of the country and lies about 500 miles (800 km) from the Atlantic Ocean . Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Land Burkina Faso is bounded by Mali to the north and west, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, and Côte d’Ivoire , Ghana , and Togo to the south. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Relief, drainage, and soils Burkina Faso is situated on an extensive plateau, which is slightly inclined toward the south.

The lateritic (red, leached, iron-bearing) layer of rock that covers the underlying crystalline rocks is deeply incised by the country’s three principal rivers—the Black Volta (Mouhoun), the Red Volta (Nazinon), and the White Volta (Nakambé)—all of which converge in Ghana to the south to form the Volta River . The Oti , another tributary of the Volta, rises in southeastern Burkina Faso. Great seasonal variation occurs in the flow of the rivers, and some rivers become dry beds during the dry season. In the southwest there are sandstone plateaus bordered by the Banfora Escarpment, which is about 500 feet (150 metres) high and faces southeast. Much of the soil in the country is infertile. Climate African Leaders: Part One The northern part of the country consists of savanna , with prickly shrubs and stunted trees that flourish during the rainy season. In the south, the prickly shrubs give way to scattered forests, which become more dense along the banks of the perennial rivers.

The karite (shea tree) and the baobab (hibiscus tree) are endemic in this region. Animal life includes buffalo, antelope, lions, hippopotamuses, elephants, crocodiles, and monkeys. Bird and insect life is rich and varied, and there are many species of fish in the rivers. Burkina Faso’s national parks include Po in the south-centre of the country, Arly in the southeast, and “W” in the east, straddling the border with Benin and Niger. People Ethnic groups and languages The major ethnolinguistic group of Burkina Faso is the Mossi . They speak a Niger-Congo language of the Gur branch and have been connected for centuries to the region they inhabit. They have absorbed a number of peoples including the Gurma and the Yarse. The last-mentioned group has Mande origins but is assimilated into the Mossi and shares their language (called Moore). Other Gur-speaking peoples are the Gurunsi, the Senufo , the Bwa , and the Lobi . Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

western Africa Mande languages , which also form a branch of the Niger-Congo family, are spoken by groups such as the Samo, the Marka, the Busansi, and the Dyula . Other groups of Burkina Faso include the Hausa and the Tuareg , whose languages are classified as Afro-Asiatic , and the Fulani , whose language (Fula) is a Niger-Congo language of the Atlantic branch . Citizens of Burkina Faso, regardless of their ethnic origin, are collectively known as Burkinabé. French is the official language, although it is not widely spoken. Moore , the language of the Mossi, is spoken by a great majority of the population, and Dyula is widely used in commerce. Religion More than half the population is Muslim. About one-fifth of the Burkinabé are Roman Catholic, and one-sixth follow traditional religions. Most of the remainder are Protestant or nonreligious. The seat of the Roman Catholic archbishopric is in Ouagadougou , and there are several bishoprics throughout the country. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Settlement patterns The population as a whole is unevenly distributed among the different regions.

The eastern and central regions are densely settled and contain about half the total population. In the remaining regions the population is scattered. About three-fourths of the people are rural and live in villages, which tend to be grouped toward the centre of the country at higher elevations away from the Volta river valleys. For several miles on either side of the Volta rivers, the land is mostly uninhabited because of the prevalence of the deadly tsetse fly , which carries sleeping sickness , and the Simulium fly, which carries onchocerciasis , or river blindness. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Ouagadougou , the administrative capital and the seat of government, is a modern city where several companies have their headquarters. It is also the residence of the morho naba (“great lord”) of the Mossi and an important regional centre for international aid programs. French embassy building, Ouagadougou, Burk. Walter Weiss/Ostman Agency Apart from Ouagadougou, the principal towns are Bobo Dioulasso , Koudougou , Banfora, Ouahigouya, Pouytenga, and Kaya.

Bobo Dioulasso, in the west, was the economic and business capital of the country when it formed the terminus of the railroad running to Abidjan , Côte d’Ivoire, on the coast. Since 1955, however, when the railroad was extended to Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso has lost some of its former importance, although it remains a commercial centre. Demographic trends In the early 21st century, yearly population growth averaged about 3 percent; nearly half the population was below age 15. Average life expectancy was just above 50 years—lower than the global average but similar to that of neighbouring countries. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Economy About nine-tenths of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture or livestock raising. Difficult economic conditions, made worse by severe intermittent droughts, have provoked considerable migration from rural to urban areas within Burkina Faso and to neighbouring countries, most notably Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. As many as 1.5 million people, or almost one-third of the country’s labour force, have been abroad at any given time.

(In the early 21st century, however, unrest in neighbouring countries, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, made it difficult for Burkinabés to find employment.) The development of industry in Burkina Faso is hampered by the small size of the market economy and by the absence of a direct outlet to the sea. Beginning in the late 1990s, the government began to privatize some state-owned entities in order to attract foreign investment. Agriculture Agricultural production consists of subsistence foodstuffs, with the surplus being sold as cash crops. Surplus cotton, shea nuts, sesame, and sugarcane are exported, while sorghum , millet , corn (maize), peanuts (groundnuts), and rice are grown for local consumption . Fonio (a crabgrass with seeds that are used as cereal), cassava (manioc), sweet potatoes, and beans are also grown. Livestock raising is one of the principal sources of revenue; animals raised include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, camels, chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. Resources Minerals, particularly manganese and gold , are the chief sources of potential wealth for the country.

There are gold mines at Poura, southwest of Koudougou, and smaller gold deposits near Sebba and Dori-Yalogo in the north exist. Reserves of nickel, bauxite, zinc, lead, and silver are also found in the country. Burkina Faso’s substantial manganese deposits at Tambao in the northeast potentially represent its most important resource and one of the world’s richest sources of this mineral. Exploitation is limited by existing transport inadequacies. Manufacturing Industry is limited to a number of plants that are mainly in the cities and larger towns. Chief manufactures include foodstuffs, beverages, textiles, shoes, and bicycle parts. Finance Burkina Faso’s currency is the CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) franc , which has been officially pegged to the euro . It is issued by the Central Bank of West African States, an agency of the West African Economic and Monetary Union , which consists of eight countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau , Mali, Niger, Senegal , and Togo) that were once French colonies in Africa.

Branches of the central bank in Burkina Faso are located in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Among the partially or wholly state-owned commercial banks, the most important is the Banque Internationale du Burkina in Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is also a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a body encompassing most states in western Africa, which attempts to integrate and harmonize the economic interests of the region. One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso relies heavily on international aid and on remittances from migrants to help offset its current account deficit. Trade Burkina Faso’s main exports in the early 21st century included cotton, gold, livestock, sugar, and fruit. Most of its exports are sent to neighbouring African countries, but some, including cotton and minerals, are exported to China, Singapore, and the countries of the European Union . Chief imports include petroleum, chemical products, machinery, and foodstuffs, which mainly come from surrounding countries as well as from France .

There is a deficit in the balance of payments, largely because of the relatively small amounts of exports, which are not of sufficient value to equal the value of imported materials required for promoting further development. Transportation A rail line links Ouagadougou to the port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire; it is some 700 miles (1,100 km) long, of which about 320 miles (500 km) run through Burkina Faso. (For several years in the early 2000s, the line was closed because of civil war in Côte d’Ivoire). Running from east to west before crossing the border, the line serves the towns of Koudougou, Bobo Dioulasso, and Banfora. The capital is also linked by road to the principal administrative centres in the country and to the capitals of neighbouring countries. Burkina Faso’s road networks are poorly developed, with only a small percentage of the network usable year-round. The remainder consists mostly of unpaved rural roads. International airports are located at Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Numerous smaller airstrips are found throughout the country.

Government and society Constitutional framework Burkina Faso’s constitution was adopted by referendum in 1991 and has since been amended . It allows for multiparty elections and a parliamentary republic with a president as chief of state and a prime minister, who is appointed by the president, as the head of the government . The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and may serve up to two consecutive terms. The legislative branch of the government is represented by the National Assembly, whose members are elected by universal suffrage for five-year terms. In 2014 popular unrest led to the dissolution of the government in October, followed by the establishment of a transitional administration in November. It was succeeded by a democratically elected government that commenced with the inauguration of a new president and a new National Assembly in late December 2015 and a new prime minister in January 2016. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Local government Burkina Faso is divided into régions, which in turn are divided into provinces, which are further divided into départements. Each région is administered by a governor, and each province is administered by a high commissioner. Health and welfare The state of health of the Burkinabé is generally poor.

Most hospitals are in the larger towns, but the government has improved access to primary health care by increasing the number of village clinics. Main causes of death in Burkina Faso include lower respiratory diseases, malaria , and diarrheal diseases . Other diseases in the country include onchocerciasis , sleeping sickness , leprosy , yellow fever , and schistosomiasis . Periodic droughts have contributed to malnutrition and related diseases, especially among young children and pregnant women. Burkina Faso has a lower prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS than do many other African countries, although it is higher than the world average. The government has focused on prevention and treatment of AIDS with some success, and the prevalence rate has decreased since the beginning of the 21st century. Education School enrollment is one of the lowest in Africa, even though the government devotes a large portion of the national budget to education. French is the language of instruction in primary and secondary schools. About one-fourth of the population aged 15 and older is literate. The primary institution for higher education is Ouagadougou University (established 1974). Research institutes in Ouagadougou offer degrees in rural engineering and hydrology.

There are a polytechnic university and a college for rural development in Bobo Dioulasso. A university was established in Koudougou in 2005. Some Burkinabé seek higher education in France, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire. Cultural life Folkloric traditions are rich in Burkina Faso, reflecting the country’s ethnic diversity . The Mossi are known for creating antelope masks that reach heights of up to 7 feet (2 metres). Bobo butterfly masks and the wood carvings of the Lobi are also well regarded for their artistry. The biennial Pan-African Film Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou is popular, as is the International Crafts Fair, which celebrates the country’s artisans. The National Museum (1962) in the capital city houses artifacts from the country’s diverse ethnic groups. Information about earlier inhabitants of the area can be gleaned from the ruins of a fortified settlement at Loropéni, located in the southern part of the country. The ruins date back some 1,000 years and were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009.

Several daily newspapers are published, including the government-sponsored Sidwaya (“Truth”), as well as a number of weeklies. Burkina Faso has made a major effort to become competitive on the African sports scene. Wrestling is popular in the country, and Burkinabé athletes have competed in the African Nations Traditional Wrestling Championship. The country has its own basketball league and an annual international cycling tour. Football (soccer), however, is by far the country’s passion. Burkina Faso boasts a highly competitive national football league, and the national team has competed in the African Nations Cup tournament. Upper Volta first sent an Olympic team to the 1972 Munich Games, although the first athletes from Upper Volta to participate in the Olympics were two javelin throwers who competed in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics as members of the French team. The country’s first participation in the Olympics as Burkina Faso was in the 1988 Seoul Games. History Early history Axes belonging to a Neolithic culture have been found in the north of Burkina Faso. The Bobo , the Lobi , and the Gurunsi are the earliest known inhabitants of the country.

About the 15th century ce, conquering horsemen invaded the region from the south and founded the Gurma and Mossi kingdoms, in the eastern and central areas, respectively. Several Mossi kingdoms developed, the most powerful of which was that of Ouagadougou, located in the centre of the country. Headed by an emperor, the morho naba (“great lord”), the Ouagadougou Mossi state defeated attempted invasions by the Songhai and Fulani empires yet maintained valuable commercial links with major western African trading powers, including the Dyula , the Hausa , and the Asante . European exploration and colonization The German explorer Gottlob Adolf Krause traversed the Mossi country in 1886, and the French army officer Louis-Gustave Binger visited the morho naba in 1888.

France obtained a protectorate over the Yatenga empire in 1895, and the French officers Paul Voulet and Charles Paul Louis Chanoine (also known as Julien Chanoine) defeated the morho naba Boukari-Koutou (Wobogo) of Mossi in 1896 and then proceeded to overrun the Gurunsi lands. The Gurma accepted a French protectorate in 1897, and in that same year the lands of the Bobo and of the Lobi were annexed by the French (though the Lobi, armed with poisoned arrows, were not effectively subdued until 1903). An Anglo-French convention of 1898 fixed the frontier between France’s new acquisitions and the northern territories of the Gold Coast . The French divided the country into administrative cercles (“circles”) but maintained the chiefs, including the morho naba, in their traditional seats. The country at first was attached to Upper Senegal–Niger (as that colony was called from 1904 to 1920; now Mali ) but was organized as a separate colony, Upper Volta (Haute-Volta), in 1919.

In 1932 it was partitioned between Côte d’Ivoire , Niger , and French Sudan . In 1947, however, Upper Volta was reestablished to become an overseas territory of the French Union , with a territorial assembly of its own. The assembly in 1957 received the right to elect an executive council of government for the territory, which at the end of 1958 was transformed into an autonomous republic within the French Community . When independence was proclaimed on August 5, 1960, the new constitution provided for an executive president elected by universal adult suffrage for a five-year term and an elected Legislative Assembly . Burkina Faso Coins with Rulers 1990 - Burkina Faso Numismatic Agency issues 1 ounce troy. Year: ND (1990). Weight: 31.57g. Metal: 0.999 Silver. Diameter: 39.25 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: "ESSAI 25 de 30" in center.

Reverse: Coats of Arm with "BURKINA FASO" written below. Mintage: 30. Minted Years: One year type. Note: "ESSAI 25 de 30 (Pattern issue 25 of 30). It has Thomas Sankara's (1983-1987) Burkinabï¿½ revolution Coats of Arm, an emblem featuring a crossed mattock and AK-47 with the motto La Patrie ou la Mort, nous vaincrons ("Fatherland or death, we will win"'). The new Coats of Arm was adopted in 1997. Despite from both, below resources, the above coin is still not listed or published. In fact it is pattern of pattern issue. Published in Sweden, Atalaya is an English-language cinderella stamp magazine that has been produced by Christer Brunstrom since the early 1980s. From 1990-99 the magazine also featured a series of articles about coins from unrecognized states and related entities.

According to Atalaya#38 published in 1994 about Burkina Faso issue: Formerly known as Upper Volta, in 1990 the Republic of Burkina faso was planning a celebration for the 30th anniversary of its independence and among various projects was a commemorative legal tender coin. A very small quantity of the pattern of this commemorative coin was issued mainly for presentation, among others, to member of the government but, for some unknown reasons, the project was cancelled. The reverse of the pattern reproduces the official coats of arm of the Republic of Burkina Faso with the motto "La patrie ou la mort, nous vaincrons" ("The fatherland or death, we will win"). The obverse depicts two eagles heads meaning solidarity of the Burkinabï¿½ people with the inscription "Once 1 Troy" and the year of the issue "1990". It was minted in pure silver with a mintage of 300 pieces and in pure copper with a mintage of 30 pieces. Both versions are in high relief, in Proof quality.

It is of special interest to note that this issue of pattern is very first numismatic issue of the Republic of Burkina as the legal tender coins that circulates in the country are those of the Union Monï¿½taire Ouest-Africaine (West African Monetary Union) of which it is a member. In the early 1990's the Burkina Faso Numismatic Agency was formed to strike bullion coins for Burkina Faso, which had never issued its own coins. It uses the coins of the West African States. The coins feature an attractive high relief portrait of the heads of two eagles on one side and the Burkina Faso coat-of-arms that was used until 1997. The arms feature a crossed AK-47 and a mattock, with the motto "La Patrie ou la Mort, nous vaincrons" ("Fatherland or death, we will win"). The 38.5mm coins were denominated as 1 Troy ounce and are dated 1990.

Some of these Burkina Faso dated 1990 coins are also listed in Unusual World coins book published by Krause Publication as Medallic Bullion Coinage - Republic of Burkina Faso issued by "Burkina Faso Numismatic Agency", listed as follow: X#1 Ounce 1990. Weight: 31.10g. 0.999 silver. Diameter: 38.50 mm. Obverse: Burkina faso Arms. Reverse: Eagle's larger head on top facing left and eagle's head below is smaller and facing right. Mintage: 300 pieces. X#1a Ounce 1990. Weight: 31.10g. 0.999 gold. Diameter: 38.50 mm. Obverse: Burkina faso Arms. Reverse: Eagle's larger head on top facing left and eagle's head below is smaller and facing right. Mintage: 30 pieces. X#1b Ounce 1990. Weight: 31.10g. Copper. Diameter: 38.50 mm.

Obverse: Burkina faso Arms. Reverse: Eagle's larger head on top facing left and eagle's head below is smaller and facing right. Mintage: 30 pieces. Two different pattern presentation sets, each of which contains four coins. Only 10 of each set were made, which were distributed to government and mint officials. Some of the coins were distributed as individual pieces rather than as sets, making the sets even scarcer than the mintage would indicate. Except for a few examples of the the copper coin in each set, the coins were not sold to collectors. One set features the the coins struck in copper (BrX5b, with a mintage of 30 pieces), nickel-silver and bronze and brass (unlisted, mintage of 10 each). The other set are uniface (one side is completely blank) patterns that only have the obverse, which features the Burkina Faso coat-of-arms. The set includes uniface patterns struck in copper (mintage of 30 pieces), nickel-silver and bronze and brass (mintage of 10 each). These uniface patterns are not listed in the Unusual World Coins book.

2003 IDAO - Bureau Africain d'Emission issues KM#1 6000 CFA Francs or 4 Africa. Year: 2003. Weight: 10.16g [10.00g]. Metal: Brass outer ring, CuNi inside ring. Diameter: 28.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Africa Mint . Obverse: "AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST * 2003 * 6000 CFA * EMISSION BURKINABE *" (clockwise). Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper. "IF" initials of the engraver below the animals. Reverse: "ï¿½ IDAO ï¿½ EMISSION MONETAIRE DE L'INSTITUT DE DEVELOPPEMENT DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (clockwise). Elephant face on West African Map (in center). Value "4 AFRICA" written below the map. Mintage: 1,200. Minted Years: One year type. Note: The following coins are produced by Africa Mint in 2003 only.

KM#1 6000 CFA 2003. Bimetal (CuNi center and Brass ring). Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper. Mintage: 1,200 pieces. (as shown above) KM#1a 6000 CFA 2003. 0.999 silver. Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper. Mintage: 5 pieces. KM#1b 6000 CFA 2003. Bimetal (Pure Silver center & 24 carats Gold plated ring) Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper. Mintage: 5 pieces. KM#2 6000 CFA 2003. 0.999 silver. Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper & President. Mintage: 5 pieces. KM#2b 6000 CFA 2003. Bimetal (Pure Silver center & 24 carats Gold plated ring) Rhinoceros & Buffalo Bird Keeper & President. Mintage: 5 pieces.

2007 A essai/pattern issue of 2500 Francs in silver were produced in silver. Mintage: 850. Diameter: 27.30 mm. Weight: 7.7750 grams. Subject: Abolition of Slavery movement with William Wilburforce protrait on it. 2013 1000 CFA Francs. Year: 2013. Weight: 31.10g. Metal: 0.999 Silver; Antique finish. Diameter: 38.61 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: "LE CROCODILE SACRï¿½" (The Holy Crocodile) written at the top. Crocodile head with open mouth in the center. Date at the bottom. Reverse: "REPUBLIQUE DU BURKINA FASO" written at the top. Burkina Faso emblem in the center. Value "1000 FRANCS CFA" written at the bottom. Mintage: 2,000. Minted Years: One year type.

Attack at Hotel in Burkina Faso's Capital - The New York Times The New York Times Live Coverage | Attack at Hotel in Burkina Faso’s Capital Search Attack at Hotel in Burkina Faso’s Capital The New York Times Soldiers Confront Militants Who Seized Hotel in Ouagadougou Here is what we know about the attack on the Splendid Hotel on Friday night: Witnesses outside the hotel said that Burkinabe security forces, assisted by French soldiers, had entered the lobby of the building early Saturday morning. A French journalist on the scene said she heard intermittent gunfire after the soldiers entered the hotel and that “several hostages had been freed.” A Burkinabe official posted on Twitter that about 30 hostages were freed. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which claimed it organized the attack on the hotel with another militant group, said in a statement that 30 hostages were killed.

2:45 am ET Jan 16, 2016 2016-01-29T00:14:51+00:00 Dionne Searcy It is unclear how many people are still inside the Splendid Hotel, but 63 have been freed, according to Rémis Dandjinou, Burkina Faso’s minister of communication. He said 33 of them were wounded. According to hospital officials in Ouagadougou, more than 20 people have died in the attack. Intense gunfire was continuing outside the hotel. 12:46 am ET Jan 16, 2016 2016-01-16T05:46:19+00:00 Liam Stack At Least 10 Bodies Found in a Burkina Faso Cafe At least 10 bodies were found in a cafe that was attacked by Al Qaeda fighters as part of their assault on the Splendid Hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital, a government minister told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Internal Affairs Minister Simon Compaore said the bodies were found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant next to the luxury hotel. Witnesses said that burning cars could be seen in front of the cafe when it was attacked on Friday. The identities and nationalities of the victims were not clear. French and Burkinabe security forces were engaged in an operation to retake the hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning. It remained unclear how many people had been taken hostage or killed when the fighters attacked the 147-room hotel on Friday evening. 12:19 am ET Jan 16, 2016 2016-01-16T05:19:52+00:00 Liam Stack Survivors Recount Carnage in Burkina Faso Hotel Attack A French television network reported that at least 20 people had been killed in the attack on the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou. The network, France 24, interviewed two survivors, both of whom declined to give their names. One, a woman whose eyes were wide with shock as she spoke, said the hostage-takers had shot a man in front of her.

“There was someone in front of me and they shot him and he fell onto me,” she said, her face covered in soot. Another survivor told the network that his memories of the hotel’s interior were dominated by images of smoke and blood. He said he had only survived by escaping through a broken window. “People were lying on the ground and there was blood everywhere,” he said. “They were shooting people at point-blank range.

When they left they set fire to the place and the smoke started to suffocate me and the other survivors.” 12:03 am ET Jan 16, 2016 2016-01-16T05:03:57+00:00 Liam Stack and Rukmini Callimachi Al Qaeda Says It Struck Hotel to Target Foreigners Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said it had targeted the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou because it was known to be popular with foreigners, saying it had sent a message “written by the heroes of Islam with their blood and body parts.” The statement was directed at a foreign audience, which it addressed as “the Cross-worshipers, the occupiers of our lands, the looters of our wealth and the abusers of our security.” It said that fighters from Al Mourabitoun, a jihadist group led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar and aligned with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, struck the hotel because it “is frequented by staff of the nations of global disbelief.” The statement said the attack was intended “to punish the Cross-worshipers for their crimes against our people in Central

 Africa, Mali and other lands of the Muslims, and to avenge our Prophet, God’s peace and blessings be upon him.” 10:38 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T04:07:24+00:00 Liam Stack Remis Dandjinou, Burkina Faso’s minister of communication, said on Twitter that 33 hostages were freed from the Splendid Hotel early Saturday morning and brought to local hospitals.

Liberation du ministre Clement Sawadogo et d une trentaire d otages. L operation se poursuit. #BurkinaFaso — remis dandjinou (@remisdandjinou) January 16, 2016 Clément Sawadogo, another government minister, was among the hostages freed when Burkinabe and French soldiers stormed the hotel that was seized by Qaeda militants Friday night, Mr. Dandjinou said. He said the operation to retake the hotel was ongoing. 9:58 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T04:24:14+00:00 Liam Stack A Witness Chronicles Burkina Faso Attack on Twitter Sumudu Dhanapala witnessed much of the violence in Burkina Faso on Friday from his home down the street from the Splendid Hotel. He first heard gunfire as he was driving home in the evening, he said, and quickly sought shelter indoors. Once there, he began snapping pictures and posting them on Twitter. A truck was burning outside Cafe Cappuccino across the street from the hotel when he returned home, Mr.

Dhanapala said. But soon the security forces arrived . Onlookers gathered a block from the hotel as Burkinabe soldiers first responded to the attack, he said. Once they had their bearings, the security forces ordered them to leave. A tense calm settled upon Avenue Kwame N’Krumah, a main street in Ouagadougou and the location of the besieged hotel, as Burkinabe and French troops planned an operation to retake the building. Violence erupted again early Saturday, Mr. Dhanapala said. Gunfire and loud bangs could be heard outside the hotel, he said, and a previously undamaged car by the building appeared to have caught fire. The operation had begun. Has an assault started?

#BurkinaAttack #BurkinaFaso Hear sporadic shots of verying degree pic.twitter.com/RIqGWEmLV6 — Sumudu Dhanapala (@Maximuslk) January 16, 2016 9:36 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T03:02:53+00:00 Helene Cooper and Liam Stack Security Forces Enter Ouagadougou Hotel Seized by Al Qaeda Militants Security forces in the capital of Burkina Faso entered the lobby of a hotel that was seized by fighters from Al Qaeda on Friday evening, according to witnesses. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attack and said its fighters killed as many as 30 hostages inside the hotel, according to a statement released on an encrypted messaging app. It was unclear exactly how many militants carried out the attack and how many hostages were inside the hotel. Early Saturday, the Burkinabe security forces amassed outside the hotel, and with the assistance of French soldiers, entered the Splendid Hotel on Avenue Kwame N’Krumah in Ouagadougou, the capital.

Olympia de Maismont, a French journalist for the radio station Radio France Internationale, told The New York Times that she heard intermittent gunfire after the soldiers entered the hotel and that “several hostages had been freed.” She said she saw about 70 soldiers positioned on one side of the hotel, and about half of them were French troops. Another witness, Sumudu Dhanapala, said that loud bangs and gunfire could be heard on the main road outside the hotel as the operation began. In Washington, a Defense Department official said that France had requested “immediate” surveillance and reconnaissance help in Burkina Faso and that the American military is “working to provide that.” There is one American military member embedded with French forces, the official said, who is “providing advice and assistance to French forces in the hotel.” There are around 75 American military personnel in Burkina Faso, including 15 assigned to the United States Embassy, and 60 more who provide security training, advice and assistance to the French military there, the official said.

9:01 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T02:29:00+00:00 Rukmini Callimachi French Soldiers Assist Burkina Faso Security Forces Outside Hotel Photo In this video image, flames can be seen after an attack on a hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital on Friday.Credit Associated Press Television French soldiers were on the ground outside the Splendid Hotel early Saturday, an eyewitness said, assisting Burkinabe security forces as they prepared for an assault on the jihadist hostage-takers inside. Olympia de Maismont, a French journalist for the radio station Radio France Internationale, estimated that 30 French troops were working with 40 Burkinabe soldiers. The security forces began to buzz with activity shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday, she said. “I am about 50 meters from the hotel. I can see both French and Burkinabe soldiers, and they are preparing for the assault,” she said. “There is truly a concentration of troops. We are seeing more and more arrive, and we see that they are studying plans — which I assume are the plans of the hotel.” Ms.

de Maismont said that she had seen two bodies being carried out of the hotel, as well as a woman who appeared to be in a state of shock. “She had a hard time walking. The soldiers were holding her up by her arms, but at the same time she did not seem to be wounded, so I believe she was in shock,” she said. 8:45 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T02:04:52+00:00 Rukmini Callimachi Hours after the attack on the Splendid Hotel began, the leadership of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb released a statement that said it had spoken by telephone with the attackers, who claimed they had killed 30 hostages. The statement was verified by the SITE Intelligence Group, which studies jihadist movements. “In a phone conversation with our brothers the immersers in Splendide Hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, the brothers asserted the fall of many dead Crusaders,” the statement said, according to a transcript provided by SITE.

The statement added that the operation in Burkina Faso was “revenge against France and the disbelieving West.” 8:38 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T01:43:21+00:00 Dionne Searcey ‘I Was Terrified,’ a Witness to the Attack in Burkina Faso Says Hélène Ouedraogo was inside the Splendid Hotel visiting with a friend when three “turbaned” people with weapons stormed inside and opened fire, killing several people, she said. Ms. Ouedraogo and her friend escaped the hotel by breaking a window, she said, and they saw several vehicles in flames as they ran for safety. She was wounded as they fled and was taken to a hospital for treatment. A second witness, Harouna Kabore, said he was not far from the hotel when shots rang out. He ran for his life and escaped. “I was terrified by the scale and violence of the shots,” he said.

“The shots were out of control, the bullets whistling by.” 8:10 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T01:10:48+00:00 The BBC — citing a hospital director in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso — reported that at least 20 people have been killed in a terrorist attack on a hotel frequented by foreign visitors. 7:53 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T00:56:52+00:00 Liam Stack Video Shows Empty Streets of Ouagadougou Photo: Ahmed Ouoba/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images; Video: By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS and REUTERS Cars burned in front of the Splendid Hotel as gunfire rang out through the empty streets of Ouagadougou, according to video released by wire services on Friday night. One man interviewed by The Associated Press said he thought the security forces had not responded to the hotel attack quickly enough.

“The guys came and started to shoot, and since 7:30 p.m. nobody has been coming,” he said in the video, surrounded by a group of men on the street. “The army, the police and the gendarmerie came, but they are just turning around.” However, he said that he had no doubt that the government forces would prevail over the terrorists. “We are waiting. Maybe they are preparing for something,” he added. “But we know that the gunmen won’t get out from the hotel alive. Our country is not for jihadists or terrorists. They are wrong.” 7:27 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T00:41:19+00:00 Rukmini Callimachi Video: By SALIF OUEDRAOGO VIA FACEBOOK Salif Ouedraogo, 28, who lives in an apartment close to the Splendid Hotel, described the attack. “I heard the first gunshots, and so I went to the balcony. I happen to live right above Le Veranda,” he said, referring to a restaurant on the same street as the hotel.

“I saw people who were shooting, and so I quickly got down and put myself on my stomach on the floor,” he said by telephone from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital. “But because I was right above them, I could hear them. And I could see the traces of gunfire — it looked like fireworks. “I was on my belly, and we could hear them talking. They were talking loudly, saying: ‘Get out! Get out!’ And then we heard a lot of gunfire.” From outside La Veranda, he said, the assailants proceeded to the hotel and the adjacent cafe, where they set off an explosion. Later, Mr. Ouedraogo, who works as an agent at the country’s international airport, used his cellphone to capture video images of a fire burning at the base of the hotel , recording the action from what appears to be a distance of several dozen yards. “They set off an explosion and they opened fire on the people,” he said.

“Then they began taking hostages.” 7:15 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T00:19:52+00:00 Liam Stack Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso Says Number of Dead Is Unclear The foreign minister of Burkina Faso, Alpha Barry, said that he did not know how many people might have been killed Friday in the attack on the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, the capital. “This is a terrorist attack,” he said in an interview with France 24. “The situation at the moment is not clear. What is sure is that people with their heads covered took hostages in the center of Ouagadougou.” “There was shooting,” he added. “We have no accurate indication of deaths. Police are there with security forces.” Mr. Barry told Agence France-Presse that security forces are prepared “for an assault to free the hostages.” “At the moment, these are Burkinabe forces, but we are not ruling out possible support of foreign forces, including French special forces,” he added.

7:14 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T00:14:02+00:00 Images From Ouagadougou Show Victims of Attack Receiving Treatment Images captured by witnesses to the attack on the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou are circulating on Twitter , Facebook and YouTube , showing a fire burning at the entrance of the hotel and victims of the attack. Photographs collected by the website Africanspotlight.com show injured victims of the attack receiving treatment from Burkinabe security forces. Rescued people from #Burkinafaso 's hotel attack. pic.twitter.com/yC7hKzI0BW — Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) January 15, 2016 7:03 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T01:34:18+00:00 At the Yalgado Ouédraogo hospital, where some of those injured in the attack were taken, doctors confirmed that there had been deaths.

Witnesses said that three bodies could be seen at the Cafe Cappuccino connected to the hotel. 6:45 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-16T01:34:01+00:00 Several Dead in Restaurant, Witness Tells A.F.P. Attackers killed “several people” in the Cafe Cappuccino adjacent to the Splendid Hotel, according to an employee of the restaurant who spoke by telephone to Agence France-Presse. The agency said the employee was unable to say exactly how many were killed. The agency also reported, citing the police, that an officer was shot trying to reach the hotel. It did not say whether the officer was killed. 6:35 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-15T23:38:17+00:00 About the Splendid Hotel According to online booking sites, the Splendid Hotel has 147 guest rooms and a number of amenities, including a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, free Wi-Fi and a business center. Many rooms have balconies facing the street.

The hotel is generally given three or three and one-half stars out of five. Average room rates are said to be in the $120 to $160 range. The hotel is reported to be popular with visiting United Nations officials, international sports officials and others visiting the country on business because it is convenient to the city’s airport. Reuters reports that the hotel is sometimes used by French troops based in Chad who conduct counterterrorism operations across across the Sahel region of Africa. 6:34 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-15T23:59:55+00:00 Rukmini Callimachi Security Forces Surround Splendid Hotel, Culture Minister Says Photo Army forces near the Splendid Hotel on Friday night in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.Credit Ahmed Ouoba/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Security forces have surrounded the Splendid Hotel, located on the main avenue of the capital, said the Burkinaba culture minister, Tahirou Barry, reached by telephone in Ouagadougou.

“There is a perimeter of at least 500 meters around it; no one can approach,” he said. “They are trying to help the hostages, and yes, the hostages are still inside.” Mr. Barry said that he did not know how many guests were inside the hotel. “Once in a while we can hear shooting,” he said. “For the moment, we have no more details on the identity of the shooters, except for the fact that one witness affirmed that one of the assailants proclaimed the name of God.” 6:31 pm ET Jan 15, 2016 2016-01-15T23:31:19+00:00 Two Terrorist Groups Coordinated on Burkina Faso Attack, Al Qaeda Says Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb organized the attack on the Splendid Hotel in coordination with a terrorist group led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said in a statement posted on an encrypted telephone app, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. “God is Great!

Your mujahideen brothers in the Organization of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the al-Murabitoon Battalion, broke into a restaurant of one of the biggest hotels in the capital of Burkina Faso, and are now entrenched and the clashes are continuing with the enemies of our religion,” said the statement, according to SITE.

Question: Of which country is Ouagadougou the capital?
Answer: Burkina Faso