Burkina Faso

At a Glance

Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sahelian country in West Africa, known among those who know it for its extraordinary arts and crafts culture, its famous FESPACO film festival, and a tradition of warm, dignified hospitality. The landscape is flat and dry for much of the year, and life in the countryside is shaped by the rhythms of agriculture and community. It is a destination for experienced travellers who approach it with genuine respect and curiosity.

• The name means 'land of upright people' — chosen at independence as a statement of dignity.
• One of the world's largest producers of raw cotton, despite extreme poverty.