| burkina faso | A republic in western africa, south and east of mali and west of niger. Its capital is ouagadougou. It was formerly called upper volta until 1984. A french protectorate was established over the region 1895-97. It was part of upper senegal-niger colony until 1919 when it became a separate colony. Burkina faso remained under french jurisdiction with varied status until it became totally independent in 1960. Its name is native, meaning land of worthy men, from burkina (worthy) + faso (land, literally father village from fa (father) + so (village)). (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|