A poor country even by West African standards, landlocked Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts, matched in number only by the military coups it has endured, especially during the 1980s.
Burkina Faso has significant reserves of gold, but cotton production is the economic mainstay for many Burkinabes. The industry is vulnerable to changes in world prices.
Formerly Upper Volta, Burkina Faso has spent many of its post-independence years under military rule.
AT-A-GLANCE
After taking power in a 1983 coup, Thomas Sankara adopted a policy of nonalignment, developed relations with Libya and Ghana, and gave the country its present name, which translates as "land of honest men".
In 1987 Mr Sankara was overthrown and then executed in a coup masterminded by Blaise Compaore, who has since instituted a multi-party system.
Burkina Faso has faced domestic and external concern over the state of its economy and human rights, and allegations that it was involved in the smuggling of diamonds by rebels in Sierra Leone.
Troubles in neighbouring Ivory Coast have raised tensions. Ivory Coast has accused Burkina Faso of backing rebels in its north, a claim denied by Ouagadougou, which accuses its neighbour of mistreating Burkinabes living in Ivory Coast.
President: Blaise Campaore
Blaise Campaore came to power in a coup in 1987. He subsequently won three presidential elections, the latest in November 2005. Poll officials said he had taken more than 80% of the vote.
When he was elected for his second term in 1998 the poll was boycotted by the main opposition parties.
Born in 1950 and trained as a soldier in Cameroon and Morocco, Blaise Compaore served under Thomas Sankara as minister of state to the presidency, before deposing and executing him in 1987.
He disarmed local militias and, despite his reputed left-wing leanings, embarked on a programme of privatisation and austerity measures sponsored by the International Monetary Fund. After officially rejecting socialism he was elected president unopposed in 1991.
The president exercises executive power, appoints the prime minister and keeps a tight hold over the military and government bodies. He portrays himself as the guarantor of political stability and economic progress.
Radio is the country's most popular medium. Dozens of private and community radio stations and a handful of private TV channels operate alongside their state-run counterparts. There are many private publications.
AFRICA'S OSCARS
The BBC is available on 99.2 FM in Ouagadougou. Voice of America and Radio France Internationale are also on the air in the capital.
The Ministry of Communication and Culture regulates the media. Despite practising self-censorship many media outlets, particularly private ones, are often critical of the government.
Some journalists are reported to have been threatened or arrested. Inquiries into the 1998 killing of the well-known and respected newspaper journalist Norbert Zongo have yet to bring to book those responsible.
Reporters Without Borders said in 2007 that any challenge to the president and his allies remained a "high-risk exercise".
The press
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RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Burkina Faso government
City of Ouagadougou
UN news about Burkina Faso
BBC Weather: Burkina Faso
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