ve births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
52 years male, 53 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
7.1 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Burkinabe (singular and plural); adjective - Burkinabe
Ethnic divisions:
more than 50 tribes; principal tribe is Mossi (about 2.5 million); other
important groups are Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani
Religions:
indigenous beliefs about 65%, Muslim 25%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic)
10%
Languages:
French (official); tribal languages belong to Sudanic family, spoken by 90%
of the population
Literacy:
18% (male 28%, female 9%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
3,300,000 residents; 30,000 are wage earners; agriculture 82%, industry 13%,
commerce, services, and government 5%; 20% of male labor force migrates
annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (1984); 44% of
population of working age (1985)
Organized labor:
four principal trade union groups represent less than 1% of population

:Burkina Government

Long-form name:
Burkina Faso
Type:
military; established by coup on 4 August 1983
Capital:
Ouagadougou
Administrative divisions:
30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Ganzourgou,
Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi, Kouritenga,
Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie,
Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Yatenga, Zoundweogo
Independence:
5 August 1960 (from France; formerly Upper Volta)
Constitution:
June 1991
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983)
Executive branch:
President, Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) was dissolved on 25
November 1980
Judicial branch:
Appeals Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)
Political parties and leaders:
Organization for Popular Democracy (ODP/MT), ruling party; Coordination of
Democratic Forces (CFD), composed of opposition parties
Suffrage:
none
Elections:
the National Assembly was dissolved 25 November 1980; presidential election
held December 1991 and legislative election scheduled for 24 May 1992
Communi