Burkina Faso flag
West Africa · Africa

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Capital
Ouagadougou
Population
22.1M
Area
274,222 km²
Language
French

Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa, Africa. Its capital is Ouagadougou, with a population of approximately 22.1M and a total area of 274,222 km². The official language is French and the currency is the West African CFA Franc (XOF).

📊 Quick Facts about Burkina Faso

👥
Population
22.1M
total residents
📐
Total Area
274,222 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
80/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$18.9B
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$855
per person
💱
Currency
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
French
official
🌊
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC+0
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1960
established
🕐
Local Time in Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso covers an area of 274,222 km² with a population density of 80/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $18.9B ($855 per capita) and gained independence in 1960. It is a landlocked country with no coastline.

Did You Know?

Burkina Faso means 'Land of Upright People', a name chosen in 1984 to symbolize dignity and integrity. The country hosts FESPACO, Africa's largest and most prestigious film festival, held every two years in the capital.

See all 14+ facts about Burkina Faso

✈️ Travel Information for Burkina Faso

📅
Best Time to Visit
November–February
Tropical, dry season November–April
💸
Cost of Travel
Budget
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa required for most nationalities
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full Burkina Faso travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 Burkina Faso on the Map

Street-level photo from Ouagadougou
📍 Ouagadougou · 1/2
via Mapillary

Google Street View not available here. Showing community photos via Mapillary (CC BY-SA).

🏆 Burkina Faso World Rankings

1st
Film
FESPACO, Africa's largest film festival held in Ouagadougou
1st
Cotton
West Africa's largest cotton producer
1st
Name
Name means Land of Upright People in Mooré and Dioula
1st
Crafts
World-renowned for bronze casting and mask carving traditions

🏛 Must-See Places in Burkina Faso

🗺️ Countries Bordering Burkina Faso

Mali
Mali
Bamako
Niger
Niger
Niamey
Benin
Benin
Porto-Novo
Togo
Togo
Lomé
Ghana
Ghana
Accra
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
Yamoussoukro

⚖️ Compare Burkina Faso with another country

See how Burkina Faso stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

Burkina FasovsMali
Burkina Faso vs Mali
Burkina FasovsNiger
Burkina Faso vs Niger
Burkina FasovsBenin
Burkina Faso vs Benin
Burkina FasovsTogo
Burkina Faso vs Togo
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Burkina Faso

What is the capital of Burkina Faso?

The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.

What continent is Burkina Faso in?

Burkina Faso is located in Africa, in the West Africa region.

What currency does Burkina Faso use?

Burkina Faso uses the West African CFA Franc (XOF). The international calling code is +226.

What is the GDP of Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $18.9B, with a GDP per capita of $855.

🌍 Explore More Countries in West Africa

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Ghana
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Dakar
Benin
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