History
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) was colonized by the French towards the end of the nineteenth century.

The country became a territory of French West Africa in 1919. In 1932 Upper Volta was divided between Cote d'Ivoire and French Sudan, but re-established as a territory of French West Africa in 1947.

Upper Volta became an autonomous republic within the French Community in 1958.

Independence from France was achieved in 1960. Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso in 1984.

A number of coups also took place in the 1980s: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987.

Blaise Compaore became president; he was in power for 27 years.

Economy
A significant percentage of the labour force earns a living from subsistence farming.

Cotton is an important product. Other crops are maize, millet, rice, sesame, shea nuts, sorghum and groundnuts. Livestock is reared.

Resources are limestone, marble, gold, manganese and phosphates; a gold mine opened in 2010 was heralded as a substantial revenue earner.

Industries include cotton lint, soap, cigarettes, textiles, agricultural processing and beverages.

Arts
Crafts in Burkina Faso are woodcarving, masks, metal sculpture, pottery and textiles.

Traditional music and dance performances take place at ceremonies and during public events.

Burkina Faso is especially known for the biennial African film festival, Le Festival Panafricain du Cinema et de la Television de Ouagadougou (FESPACO).

Sport
Football is a popular sport in Burkina Faso. Basketball is also played.

Holidays
All religious festivals are celebrated. Republic Day is on 11 December (1958) and Independence Day is on 5 August (1960 - from France)

News
News from Burkina Faso is available from Newslink.

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