Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. Its name means Land of Honest People. Burkina Faso has wide grasslands, friendly people, and is famous for hosting Africa's biggest film festival.

Land and People

About 22 million people live in Burkina Faso. The capital is Ouagadougou, often called Ouaga for short. The country is mostly flat with grasslands and some rocky hills. The climate is hot and dry.

Old drawing of a Mossi king with his horse guards.
Old drawing of a Mossi king with his horse guards. (Édouard Riou / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

FESPACO, the biggest film festival in Africa, is held in Ouagadougou every two years. Traditional masks and dances are important in the culture. People eat to, a thick paste made from millet or sorghum, with sauce. Biking is very popular.

Fun Facts

  • Burkina Faso means Land of Honest People.
  • Ouagadougou hosts the biggest film festival in Africa called FESPACO.
  • Burkina Faso has over 60 different ethnic groups.

Did You Know?

Burkina Faso hosts the biggest film festival in Africa called FESPACO. Filmmakers from across the continent come to Ouagadougou to show their movies. It has been running since 1969 and helps African filmmakers share their stories with the world.