ブルキナファソ

大陸	アフリカ
資本金	Ouagadougou
人口	19,512,533
GDP	$32.99 Billion
一人当たりGDP	$1,800
ダイヤルコード	+226
ISOコード（2文字）	BF
ISOコード（3文字）	BFA

Burkina Faso Landscapes

About Burkina Faso

Welcome to Burkina Faso, a West African nation whose name means “Land of Upright People” in Mooré and Dioula languages. With approximately 20.9 million people occupying 274,200 square kilometers, this landlocked country combines rich cultural traditions with a spirit of resilience and dignity. Despite facing various challenges, Burkina Faso is known for its vibrant arts scene, cultural diversity, and commitment to social progress.

地理的特徴と自然の美しさ

Burkina Faso’s geography is characterized by a primarily flat landscape with some hills in the west and southeast. The country lies in the Sahel region, transitioning from the Sahara Desert in the north to the more fertile regions in the south. This creates three distinct climatic zones: the Sahel in the north, the Sudan-Sahel in the center, and the Sudan-Guinea in the southwest.

The country features several notable natural attractions, including the Peaks of Sindou, dramatic rock formations in the southwest, and the Karfiguéla Falls near Banfora. The Mare aux Hippopotames, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, provides habitat for hippopotamuses and various bird species.

The Nazinga Game Ranch in the south offers opportunities to observe elephants and other wildlife, while the Deux Balés National Park protects important populations of West African lions and elephants.

文化遺産と伝統

Burkinabé culture is extraordinarily rich and diverse, with over 60 ethnic groups maintaining their distinct traditions, languages, and customs. The Mossi, the largest ethnic group, has preserved its traditional political system alongside the modern state structure, with the Mogho Naba (Mossi king) still playing an important cultural role.

The country is renowned for its arts and crafts, particularly bronze casting, mask-making, and traditional textiles. The biennial FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival) in Ouagadougou is Africa’s largest film festival, making the country a cultural hub for African cinema.

Traditional music and dance remain vital parts of daily life, with each ethnic group maintaining its distinctive styles. The country is also famous for its traditional architecture, particularly the mud mosques of Bobo-Dioulasso and the royal court of Tiébélé.

歴史の旅

Burkina Faso’s history spans ancient kingdoms and empires, including the Mossi kingdoms that resisted both Islamic conquest and European colonization for centuries. The area became a French protectorate in 1896 and gained independence in 1960 as Upper Volta.

In 1984, under the leadership of Thomas Sankara, the country changed its name to Burkina Faso, reflecting a commitment to self-reliance and dignity. Sankara’s revolutionary period, though brief, left a lasting legacy of social progress and pan-African solidarity.

現代の経済状況

Today’s Burkina Faso has an economy based primarily on agriculture, livestock raising, and mining. Cotton is the main cash crop, while gold mining has become increasingly important to the economy. The country has made significant efforts to diversify its economy and attract investment in various sectors.

Despite economic challenges, Burkina Faso has shown remarkable resilience and innovation in areas such as agricultural development and renewable energy. The country has pioneered successful programs in sustainable agriculture and water management.

国際関係とグローバルポジション

Burkina Faso maintains active participation in regional organizations such as ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the African Union. The country has played important roles in regional peacekeeping efforts and cultural exchanges.

ご存知でしたか？

• Burkina Faso hosts Africa’s largest craft market, the International Arts and Crafts Fair of Ouagadougou (SIAO)?

• The country is known as the “Hollywood of Africa” due to its prominent role in African cinema and the FESPACO film festival?

• Traditional Kassena architecture in Tiébélé features intricate geometric patterns painted on houses?

• The country has one of the largest craft communities in West Africa, particularly known for bronze casting and mask-making?

結論

Burkina Faso stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people. From its vibrant arts scene to its traditional cultures, from its environmental conservation efforts to its social innovations, the country continues to forge its path toward development while maintaining its cultural identity. As it faces contemporary challenges including climate change and regional security issues, Burkina Faso remains committed to its founding principles of dignity, integrity, and social progress.