Burkina Faso is a landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red and White Voltas. The country is one of the poorest countries in the world but is renowned for its don’t-worry-be-happy optimism.

Most of the population of the country is engaged in agriculture. Cotton is the key crop. It achieved its independence from France in 1960.

The main event held in the country is Pan African Film Festival. It is celebrated in an odd-numbered year. The festival usually begins on the last Saturday in February. In even-numbered years La Semaine Nationale de la Culture is celebrated. It is a weeklong cultural festival with both traditional and contemporary forms of music, dance and theatre.

One of the major attractions of the country is Ouagadougou. It is the capital city that lies in the middle of the country. It has a relaxed atmosphere and people with friendly smiles. Hospitality is one of the city’s trademarks.

Other attractions of the country are Banfora, Bobo-Dioulasso and Parc National d’Arli. The highlights of Banfora are Karfiguela waterfalls and the Domes de Karfiguela. Bobo-Dioulasso is a small city with boulevards, and tree-lined streets. The museum called Musée Provincial du Houët is housed in a Sudanese-style building. It has two sets of exhibitions — one showcasing modern African art, batik, and sculpture and the other exhibiting traditional art of the region.

The Parc National d’Arli is the park crisscrossed by the impressive cliffs of Tambarga and Gobnangou.

The food of Burkina Faso includes Riz Sauce — sauce with rice, Riz Gras — vegetable sauce with rice, Sauce De Poisson — a fish-based sauce, Boeuf Sauce Aubergine — sauce with beef and eggplant, and Mouton Sauce Tomatoe — sauce with mutton and tomatoes.

Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana

Highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

Climate: Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Full country Name: Burkina Faso

Government: Parliamentary republic

head of the state: President Captain Blaise Compaoré

Major industries: Cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Major Trading Partners: China, Singapore, Ghana, Bangladesh, France, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo

Major Imports: Capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum

Major Exports: Cotton, livestock, gold

Currency: Communaute Financiere

Population: 12,440,000

Language: French

REligion: Muslim, Christian and Roman Catholic