tly undulating landscape with, in some areas, a few isolated hills, the last vestiges of a Precambrian massif. The south-west of the country forms a sandstone massif, where the highest peak is found: Ténakourou (749 m, 2,450 ft). The massif is bordered by sheer cliffs up to 150 metres (490 ft) high. The average altitude is 400 metres (1,300 ft) and the difference between the highest and lowest terrain is no greater than 600 metres (2,000 ft). Burkina Faso is therefore a relatively flat country, with a very few localised exceptions. [edit] Hydrography The country owed its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers which cross it: the Mouhoun (formerly called the Black Volta), the Nakambé (the White Volta) and the Nazinon (the Red Volta). The Mouhoun, along with the Comoé which flows to the south west, is the country's only river which flows year-round The basin of the Niger River also drains 27% of the country's surface. Its tributaries (the Béli, the Gorouol, the Goudébo and the Dargol) are seasonal streams, and only flow for 4 to 6 months a year but can cause large floods. The country also contains numerous lakes. The principal lakes are Tingrela, Bam and Dem, and the large ponds of Oursi, Béli, Yomboli and Markoye. Water shortages are often a problem, especially in the north of the country. [edit] Climate Burkina Faso has a primarily tropical climate with two very distinct seasons: the rainy season with between 24-35 inches (600 and 900 mm) of rainfall, and the dry season during which the harmattan, a hot dry wind from the Sahara, blows. The rainy season lasts approximately 4 months, May/June to September, and is shorter in the north of the country. Three large climatic zones can be defined: [edit] Sahel Zone The Sahel in the north typically receives less than 24 inches (600 mm)[1] rainfall a year and high temperatures 5–47 °C (40–115 °F). A relatively dry tropical savanna, the Sahel extends beyond the borders of Burkina Faso, from the Horn of Africa to the Atlantic Ocean, and borders the Sahara to its north, and the fertile region of the Sudan to the South. Extreme temperatures recorded are 5.5C and 47.0C. [edit] Sudan-Sahel zone Situated between 11°3' and 13°5' north latitude, the Sudan-Sahel region is a transitional zone with regards to rainfall and temperature. [edit] Sudan-Guinea zone Further to the south, the Sudan-Guinea zone receives more than 35 inches (900 mm)[1] rain a year and cooler average temperatures. [edit] Natural resources Burkina Faso has many natural resources, including; manganese, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt and small deposits of gold. Burkina Faso's fauna and flora is protected in two national parks and several reserves, see list at List of national parks in Africa. [edit] Economy Tarfila Farming Group Shop in Burkina Faso. Vendors in Burkina Faso. Main article: Economy of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso has one of the lowest GDP per capita incomes in the world: $1,200. This ranks it as the 27th poorest nation.[2] Agriculture represents 32% of its gross domestic product and occupies 80% of the working population. It consists mostly of livestock but also, especially in the south and southwest, of growing sorghum, pearl millet, maize (corn), peanuts, rice and cotton. Unemployment causes a high rate of emigration: for example, three million citizens of Burkina Faso live in Côte d'Ivoire. According to the Central Bank of Western African States (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest), these migrants send tens of billions of Euros back to Burkina Faso each year. Since the 1967 expulsions from Ghana, this situation has provoked tensions in the recipient countries. The most recent crisis occurred owing to the events of 2003 in Côte d'Ivoire, which led to the return of 300,000 migrants. A large part of the economic activity of the country is funded by international aid. The currency of Burkina Faso is the CFA franc. There is mineral exploitation of copper, iron, manganese and, above all, gold. Burkina Faso also hosts the International Art and Craft Fair, Ouagadougou, better known by its French name as SIAO, Le Salon International de l' Artisanat de Ouagadougou, one of the most important African handicraft fairs. [edit] Demographics United Nations Square in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Sala Well Main article: Demographics of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso has an estimated life expectancy at birth of slightly under 50 years of age. The median age of its inhabitants is under 17. Population growth rate: 3.00% (2006) The population is concentrated in the south and center of the country, sometimes exceeding 48 per square kilometer (125/sq. mi.). This high population density, causes annual migrations of hundreds of thousands, for seasonal employment. Approximately 50% of the population is Muslim; Christians account for about 30%, and followers of traditional African religions (typically animism of various forms) make up about 20%. Many Christians incorporate elements of animism into their religious practices.[citation needed] [edit] Culture Main article: Culture of Burkina Faso See also List of writers from Burkina Faso, Music of Burkina Faso and Cinema of Burkina Faso. [edit] Education Main article: Education in Burkina Faso Education in Burkina Faso is divided into primary, secondary, and higher education. However, schooling is not free. Secondary school costs approximately $115 (50,000CFA) a year, which is far above the means of most Burkinabe families. Boys receive preference in schooling; as such, girls' education and literacy rates are far lower. An increase in girls' schooling has been observed due to the government's policy of making school cheaper for girls and granting them more scholarships. In order to proceed from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or high school to college, national exams must be passed. Institutions of higher education include the University of Ouagadougou, and The Polytechnical University in Bobo-Dioulasso, the University of Koudougou, which is also a teacher training institution. A number of private colleges for specific trainings have recently appeared in the capital city Ouagadougou but are affordable to a very small portion of the population. There is also an International School of Ouagadougou (ISO), which is an American-based private school located in the capital city, Ouagadougou. The United Nations Development Program Report used to place Burkina Faso as the most illiterate country in the world, with only 12.8% in 1990. However, with the consistent effort of the government in making schooling more accessible and affordable, the literacy rate has literally doubled and is now at 25.3% of the population. [edit] See also Ambassadors to Burkina Faso Communications in Burkina Faso Fédération Burkinabé du Scoutisme Foreign relations of Burkina Faso Holidays in Burkina Faso List of Burkina Faso-related topics List of cities in Burkina Faso Military of Burkina Faso Music of Burkina Faso Transport in Burkina Faso Wildlife of Burkina Faso [edit] References ^ a b SIM Country Profile: Burkina Faso. Retrieved on August 5, 2006. ^ CIA World Factbook, GDP Per Capita Rank Order. [edit] External links Find more about Burkina Faso on Wikipedia's sister projects: Dictionary definitions Textbooks Quotations Source texts Images and media News stories Learning resources Research Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Africa (ZIAF), Frankfurt, Germany BIOTA-West Charities Paper for All - Registered charity that provides academic resources to children, to support education and enable sustainable development Culture Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) "The Art of Burkina Faso" By Christopher D. Roy Photos and stories of life in the North of Burkina Faso Photos from Burkina Faso Photographs of daily life in Burkina Faso (1970-2004) Listen to "Fulbe" (Fulani) music Women authors from Burkina Faso at a glance Encyclopedia of the Nations: Burkina Faso Government and organizations Premier Ministère official government portal (in French) Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington, DC government information and links Aid organization, photos and videos from Burkina Faso News allAfrica - Burkina Faso news headline links Journeyman Pictures: The Flowering Desert - Burkina Faso Overviews BBC News - Country Profile: Burkina Faso Encyclopaedia Britannica, Country Page - Burkina Faso Burkina Faso entry at The World Factbook Directories and portals Open Directory Project - Burkina Faso directory category Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: Burkina Faso directory category University of Pennsylvania - African Country Studies: Burkina Faso Yahoo! - Burkina Faso directory category 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Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso" Categories: Burkina Faso | African Union member states | Economic Community of West African States | Landlocked countries | Least Developed Countries | French-speaking countries | Member states of La FrancophonieHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since February 2008 Views Article Discussion Edit this page History Personal tools Log in / create account if (window.isMSIE55) fixalpha(); Navigation Main Page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Interaction About Wikipedia Community portal Recent changes Contact Wikipedia Donate to Wikipedia Help Search   Toolbox What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Printable version Permanent linkCite this page Languages Afrikaans ???? ??????? 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