According to abbreviationfinder, Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and it is also its main city. It is known to most of the local population as Ouaga. Its population is just over a million residents. It has a surface area of 219.3 km².
History
The city was founded in the 11th century by the Nyonnyonses and was called Kombemtinga, the “Land of Warriors”. Later the Nyonnyonses fell under the protection of Zoungrana, a Mossi emperor. Later, the city changed its name and in 1441it became the capital of the Mossi empire. In 1896 it was grouped with three other states forming part of the French colony of Upper Volta and, during the periods 1919 – 1932 and 1947 – 1960, it became the capital of the French protectorate of Upper Volta, a prerogative that it maintained after the country’s independence. In the post-colonial era, Ouagadougou became an important urban center, since during the colonial period it had been the administrative center of the government. In 1960, it was designated the capital of the Republic of Upper Volta, a country that, decades later, in 1984 would be renamed Burkina Faso
Geography
The city of Ouagadougou is located on a central plateau and has been built around the imperial palace of the Mogho Naaba. The surrounding area is specialized in raising cattle and growing cereals, cotton, vegetables and nuts. There are also deposits of lignite and granite
Climate
Ouagadougou, is a city with a warm climate
Administrative division
It is divided into five communes (Baskuy, Bogodogo, Boulmiougou, Nomgremassom and Signoghin) and is governed by a mayor.
Population
It is estimated that the population of the metropolitan area amounts to 1,200,000 residents, of which 48% are men and 52% are women. The rural population is 5% and the urban 95% of the total. See population of Burkina Faso.
Economic development
Its economy is based on the textile industry, such as cotton and tapestries, as well as oil and soap industries. In addition, he is also dedicated to handicrafts
Education
Here resides the University of Ouagadougou
Culture and tourism
The state of Ouagadougou treasures several places of tourist interest (such as some historical buildings, Naba Koom Square, the Ethnographic Museum, the Ouaga-Loudun Garden, the Bang-Wéoogo Urban Park and the great central market),
Transport
It is interconnected with the port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire through the railroad and by highways with Niamey in Niger. It has an international airport.
Burkina Faso
It was once part of the Great Mossi Empire, one of the oldest and strongest African kingdoms. For centuries, the territory of Burkina Faso was nourished by semi-nomadic populations, dedicated to herding, coming from the south of the Sahara, who gradually settled and settled down. During French colonialism it was known by the name of Alto Volta Francés (1919 – 1958) and later as Alto Volta (1958 – 1984).
Upper Volta obtained independence in 1960, after the entry into force of the Constitution and the election by direct universal suffrage of the President of the Republic in March 1959. According to the first Constitution of the new State, Upper Volta was constituted as a republic and its president exercised power and was elected by the people, in whom sovereignty resided.
It is a State with few natural resources and with an economy based on agriculture, livestock and the exploitation of its modest deposits of manganese, gold and limestone.
Social development
In 1960, a pension system for the elderly and later for workers was introduced in the country. Education is free. Primary education begins at age seven and lasts for six more. Secondary education lasts for seven years.
It has a university, that of Ouagadougou. Normally the government grants aid for Burkinabe students to take courses at European or African universities. The radio sends educational and didactic programs to the furthest places from the capital. In Ouagadougou, the capital, a newspaper is published.
Culture
Ouagadougou is a center of social and cultural events for the country. It is an important African cinema center, and host of the Ouagadougou Festival. Culture and art are further exhibited at Laongo, an area of exposed granites where artists from all over the world are invited to sculpt into the rock.
The most popular dish in Bukina Faso is tô. It is a thick paste obtained with millet, sorghum or corn flour, which is accompanied by a sauce whose ingredients and preparation vary according to the region. The tô is usually eaten very hot.
