Region:
Western Africa
Capital:
Ouagadougou
Population:
13 574 820 (July
2004 est.)
Surface
area:
274 000 square
km
Currency:
CFA franc
GDP
per capita:
$1 100 (2003
est.)
Background:
Burkina
Faso (formerly
Upper Volta)
achieved independence
from France in
1960. Repeated
military coups
during the 1970s
and 1980s were
followed by multiparty
elections in
the early 1990s.
Burkina Faso's
high population
density and limited
natural resources
result in poor
economic prospects
for the majority
of its citizens.
Recent unrest
in Cote d'Ivoire
and northern
Ghana has hindered
the ability of
several hundred
thousand seasonal
Burkina be farm
workers to find
employment in
neighbouring
countries.
Economy
– overview:
Burkina
Faso has few
natural resources,
a fragile soil,
and a highly
unequal distribution
of income. About
90% of the population
is engaged in
(mainly subsistence)
agriculture,
which is vulnerable
to variations
in rainfall.
Cotton is the
key crop. Industry
remains dominated
by unprofitable
government-controlled
corporations.
Following the
African franc
currency devaluation
in January 1994
the government
updated its development
program in conjunction
with international
agencies, and
exports and economic
growth have increased.
Maintenance of
macroeconomic
progress depends
on continued
low inflation,
reduction in
the trade deficit,
and reforms designed
to encourage
private investment.
The internal
crisis in neighboring
Cote d'Ivoire
continues to
hurt trade and
industrial prospects
and deepens the
need for international
assistance.
United
Nations Membership
date:
20 September
1960
New
York Mission:
Permanent Mission
of Burkina Faso
to the United
Nations, 115
East 73rd Street,
New York, NY
10021.
Telephone: 212-288-7515
/ 7527
Fax: 212-772-3562
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