Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. A former French colony, the official language is French, however the majority of Burkinabé people speak indigenous languages including Moore and Dioula. Burkina Faso is the home of an estimated 15.7 million people, around 90% of which are employed through agriculture. The United Nations' Human Development Index which combines factors of health, education, and income ranks it as 181 out of 187 countries. Some of the reasons for this low ranking is that almost half of the population is below the poverty line, there is a life expectancy of only 55 years, and the amount of education expected for children is just over 6 years while many adults have only had a year or two of education themselves.
Burkina Faso also faces many geographical challenges. It is located just below the Sahara desert and desertification is a constant challenge. The country is always hot, at least by Canadian standards, with temperatures generally between 25 and 45 degrees Celsius. There is a dry and a wet season, but the country is susceptible to recurring droughts and is currently facing a food crisis for 2012 because of the failure of many of this year's staple crops of millet and other cereals.
Because it is landlocked and there are few valuable natural resources, Burkina Faso is a peaceful country. While other regions of Africa have experienced numerous civil wars throughout their history, Burkina Faso has been fairly stable since it achieved independence from France in 1960.
Considering the stories I have heard from people who have visited Burkina Faso, this is a country with an amazing beauty. The dry and barren-looking landscape is contrasted with a colourful and vibrant culture. While survival it is challenging for people living in such a harsh climate, the Burkinabé are some of the most generous people in the world.
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