How large and how populated is Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso covers approximately 274,223 square kilometers and has an available population figure of 22,489,126, recorded for 2,023. Taken together, these numbers give a much better sense of the location’s real scale than either figure would on its own.

Which countries or regions are associated with Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso is associated with the following country or countries: Burkina Faso. Where more detailed internal geography is available, it is also associated with the following region or regions: Bam Province, Kompienga Province, Mouhoun Province, Oubritenga, Sahel, Tapoa Province, Waterfalls. This helps show whether the location is narrowly bounded or connected to a wider network of places.

What are the official and native names of Burkina Faso?

The official name of Burkina Faso is Burkina Faso, and its native name is Burkĩna Faso. These naming forms add useful legal, linguistic, and local context beyond the shorter common name used in English interfaces.

What language and time zone information is associated with Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso is associated with the following language codes: mos, dyu, ful, fr, en, and with the time zone Africa/Abidjan. These are practical metadata points that help the place profile work better across localization, search, and international geographic browsing.

What are the main country facts for Burkina Faso?

For Burkina Faso, the capital is Ouagadougou, the largest city is Ouagadougou, and the associated currency code is XOF. Together, these facts provide a quick practical snapshot of the country beyond its place on the map.

What codes identify Burkina Faso in geographic datasets?

Burkina Faso is identified by the ISO code BF and the country code BF. These standard identifiers are especially useful when connecting MoriAtlas place records to other structured geographic or statistical systems.

Which regions are associated with Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso is associated with the following region or regions: Bam Province, Kompienga Province, Mouhoun Province, Oubritenga, Sahel, Tapoa Province, Waterfalls. This is useful for moving from a country-level overview into more detailed regional park discovery.

Countries

Browse mapped protected lands and natural landscapes across Burkina Faso's diverse regions.

Burkina Faso National Parks and Protected Areas: A Geographic Atlas Overview

Q: What is Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso is a Country in the MoriAtlas geographic dataset. It is used as a structured place record for organizing nearby regions, countries, and protected-area discovery, and where relevant it can also act as part of the broader geographic area of Africa.

This atlas entry for Burkina Faso provides a structured geographic overview of the nation's national parks and protected areas. Users can explore the mapped boundaries and regional distribution of conservation landscapes, understanding how these protected lands are situated within the broader West African geography. MoriAtlas facilitates discovery of Burkina Faso's natural terrain and park systems.

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Burkina Faso National Parks and Protected Areas: A Geographic Atlas Overview

Park system

Geographic Snapshot of the Burkina Faso Park System and Protected Areas

Analyzing protected-area scale, establishment history, and savanna habitat distributions

Documented geographic records provide a clear perspective on the national parks of Burkina Faso, highlighting known protected areas and median territory sizes. Evaluating historical establishment dates, savanna habitat distributions, and designation types reveals key conservation patterns across diverse West African ecosystems.

Known protected area

3,720 km²

Area data available for 9 of 10 parks.

Median park size

175 km²

Median across 9 parks with known area.

Oldest known park

Deux Balés National Park

Established in 1937.

Largest known park

Kaboré Tambi National Park

Recorded area: 1,555 km².

Designation distribution

Protected area5

National park3

Nature reserve1

Wildlife reserve1

Habitat distribution

Riverine habitat6

Savanna6

Wetland3

Temperate broadleaf forest2

Tropical forest2

2 more categories represented

Climate distribution

Tropical3

Arid1

Subtropical1

About

Explore the Geographic Spread of Protected Areas and Mapped Landscapes Across Burkina Faso

Discover National Parks and Protected Areas in Burkina Faso: An Atlas of West African Landscapes

Discover the national parks and significant protected areas mapped across Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African nation featuring diverse savanna and riparian ecosystems. This country overview offers comprehensive geographic context for understanding conservation landscapes, tracing regional park distributions, and navigating into detailed park pages for further exploration.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African nation. The Mossi people settled the area in the 11th and 13th centuries, establishing kingdoms such as Ouagadougou, Tenkodogo, and Yatenga. The French colonized the region in 1896 as part of French West Africa, and the country gained independence in 1960 as the Republic of Upper Volta before being renamed Burkina Faso in 1984 by President Thomas Sankara.

Burkina Faso, meaning 'land of upright people' in local languages, is a landlocked country in West Africa. After independence from France in 1960, it was known as the Republic of Upper Volta until 1984 when Thomas Sankara renamed it Burkina Faso. The country has experienced significant political instability with multiple coups, most recently in 2022. It is predominantly Muslim (63.8%) with Christian (26.3%) and animist (9%) minorities. The economy is primarily based on agriculture and gold mining, with the Mossi people comprising the largest ethnic group at 53.7%.

Largest city:Ouagadougou

Currency code:XOF

ISO code:BF

Parks count

Capital

Ouagadougou

Area

274,223 km²

Population

22,489,126 (2,023)

Coastal

Island

Mountainous

Landlocked

Park atlas10 parks

Trace the mapped geography of Burkina Faso's key protected areas and conservation landscapes across West Africa.

National Parks in Burkina Faso: Explore Protected Areas and Savanna Ecosystems

Browse a comprehensive list of national parks and protected areas within Burkina Faso, including significant savanna ecosystems, gallery forests, and riparian habitats. This country-level view offers a detailed atlas perspective on landlocked West African conservation, facilitating deeper geographic discovery of protected landscapes like Kaboré Tambi and W National Park.

National parkTapoa Province

Arli National Park National Park: Mapped Protected Landscape in Tapoa Province

Explore its geographic context and boundaries.

Arli National Park stands as a critical protected area, identified as a national park within Tapoa Province. This detail page serves as an atlas-focused entry point to understanding the park's unique landscape characteristics and its precise geographic location. Users can investigate its mapped boundaries and explore how it fits into the regional geography, offering a foundational understanding for protected-area discovery.

Area: 760 km²
Established: 1954
IUCN: IV
Relief: Upland

Arli National Park Protected Area Atlas

Protected areaCascades

Lac de Tengréla Protected Area: Mapping Wetland Landscapes in the Cascades Region

Freshwater geography and regional catchment in southwestern Burkina Faso

Located near Banfora, Lac de Tengréla functions as a protected Ramsar wetland within the Comoé River system. This freshwater lake provides essential ecological value, with its elongated basin and outflow connectivity offering a distinct window into the hydrology and natural terrain of southwestern Burkina Faso.

Area: 5.8 km²
Established: 2009
Scope: Terrestrial
Water: Water-dominated

Explore Lac de Tengréla Geography

Protected areaKompienga Province

Lac de la Kompienga: Geography and Mapped Protected Landscapes in Kompienga Province

A landmark hydroelectric reservoir and wetland habitat

Lac de la Kompienga constitutes a primary water resource and ecological site within the dry savanna of Burkina Faso. This artificial reservoir creates a vital wetland mosaic, supporting diverse aquatic birdlife and fisheries while functioning as a critical component of the regional Volta Basin hydrology. The site captures the transition between engineered water management and the natural dry woodland ecosystems characteristic of the Est Region.

Area: 175.45 km²
Established: 1988
Relief: Lowland
Scope: Terrestrial

Explore Lac de la Kompienga Protected Area

Protected areaBam Province

Lac Bam Protected Area: Regional Landscape Map and Geography of Bam Province

Ecological transition zone and natural freshwater reservoir

Lac Bam serves as a critical freshwater site and natural reservoir within the Sahelian-Sudanian transition zone of Burkina Faso. This protected area supports a mosaic of wooded savanna, wetland margins, and open water, defining the hydrology of the surrounding Bam Province. Analyze the landscape dynamics and broad catchment characteristics of this significant inland water system through our integrated geographic dataset.

Area: 30 km²
Relief: Lowland
Scope: Terrestrial
Water: Water-dominated

Lac Bam Protected Area Map

Watercolor depiction of a river flowing through a landscape with green trees and distant mountains under a light sky

National parkBurkina Faso

Kaboré Tambi National Park: Burkina Faso's Largest National Park and Protected Landscape

Explore the mapped savanna and birdwatching geography of this vital West African area.

Kaboré Tambi National Park represents a critical protected area in Burkina Faso, spanning a considerable expanse of Sudan-Guinea savanna. The park's geography is defined by the Nazinon River and a mosaic of woodland and grassland ecosystems, making it a significant site for understanding regional protected lands and landscape ecology. It offers a valuable point of reference for atlas-based exploration of West African natural areas.

Area: 1,555 km²
Established: 1976
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Kaboré Tambi National Park Atlas

National parkBurkina Faso

Deux Balés National Park: Burkina Faso's Elephant Sanctuary and Savanna Protected Landscape

Explore mapped terrain and key geographic features of this protected area.

Deux Balés National Park serves as a vital protected area within Burkina Faso, acclaimed for harboring the largest elephant population in West Africa. This national park's protected landscape is defined by undulating granitic plains, lateritic plateaux, and distinct gallery forests lining the Black Volta River. The presence of ancient African baobab trees adds a unique visual character to the savanna ecosystem. Investigating this park reveals its significance for regional conservation, its mapped geographic boundaries, and its role within the broader context of protected lands in West Africa.

Area: 810 km²
Established: 1937
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Deux Balés National Park Atlas

Protected areaSahel Region

Lac Higa Protected Area: Wetland Geography and Sahel Region Landscape Mapping

A vital freshwater ecosystem in northeastern Burkina Faso.

Explore the spatial characteristics of Lac Higa, a permanent wetland and protected area in the Sahel Region of Burkina Faso. This atlas entry details the lake basin, the Yali River connection, and the surrounding shrub savanna terrain, providing essential context for this unique hydrological and biological site.

Area: 15.14 km²
Relief: Lowland
Climate: Arid
Scope: Terrestrial

Lac Higa Protected Area Geography

Wildlife reserveBurkina Faso

Lac de Bagré Wildlife Reserve: Mapping the Inland Reservoir of Central Burkina Faso

A critical wetland site within the Nakambé River valley.

Lac de Bagré acts as a major freshwater reservoir, stretching through the Boulgou and Zoundwéogo provinces of Burkina Faso. This artificial lake, created by the Bagré Dam, supports a unique ecological profile as a Ramsar-recognized wetland, offering a deep look into the intersection of hydrological infrastructure and protected Sahelian landscapes.

Area: 367.93 km²
Established: 1992
Water: Water-dominated

Lac de Bagré Wildlife Reserve Geography

Protected areaBurkina Faso

Forêt classée de Kou: Protected Gallery Forest and Riverine Geography in Burkina Faso

A compact biodiversity refuge near Bobo-Dioulasso

Forêt classée de Kou stands as a vital example of Guinean-type forest preservation in Burkina Faso. This protected area features a complex mosaic of dense gallery woodland along the Kou and Guinguette rivers, transitioning into arborescent savanna. With its layered canopy, riverine corridors, and documented avian richness, it serves as a critical geographic marker of humid woodland in the broader Sudano-Sahelian terrain.

Area: 1.15 km²
Established: 1951
Climate: Tropical
Access: Easy access

Forêt classée de Kou Protected Area Map

Nature reserveOubritenga

Forêt classée de Gonsé Nature Reserve: Protected Landscape and Geographic Atlas Record

Sudano-Sahelian woodland and Massili River floodplain context

Examine the protected landscape of Forêt classée de Gonsé, a nature reserve in the Oubritenga region of Burkina Faso. This record details the park's savanna recovery, riverine habitats, and the legacy of its reforestation history as part of the West African Sudano-Sahelian interface.

Relief: Lowland
Climate: Subtropical
Access: Easy access
Scope: Terrestrial

Forêt classée de Gonsé Nature Reserve Atlas

View All Burkina Faso Parks

Landscape and environment

Understand how Burkina Faso is shaped by terrain, ecosystems, and seasonal conditions

Burkina Faso geography, nature, climate, and landscape context for park-focused travel research

Explore the physical geography, natural setting, and climate patterns of Burkina Faso through a location-first overview built for travel research, national park discovery, and broader regional context. This section helps explain how landscapes, habitats, and environmental conditions shape what people search for, where they travel, and how they experience protected areas in Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso geography and landscape

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. The terrain consists primarily of a peneplain with some laterite plateaus in the southeast. The country has several major rivers including the Mouhoun, Nakambe, and Comoé, though most are seasonal.

Burkina Faso nature and environment

Burkina Faso's natural environment consists largely of savanna and woodland. The south and southwest regions have larger areas of forest, while the north is more arid with Sahel characteristics. Protected areas include several national parks and wildlife reserves, though the country faces environmental challenges including deforestation and desertification.

Burkina Faso climate and seasonal conditions

Burkina Faso has a sub-Saharan climate with a rainy season from June to September and a dry season from October to May. Average temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C, with the coolest period from November to February. Annual rainfall varies from about 600mm in the south to less than 300mm in the north.

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Ways to explore Burkina Faso

Useful phrases, related topics, and discovery prompts connected to Burkina Faso.

where is burkina fasowhat is burkina fasoburkina faso geographycapital of burkina fasoburkina faso populationwest african countriesburkina faso historyburkina faso countrywest africa nationlandlocked african countryupper voltaouagadougou capitalsahel regionmossi peoplewest african cfa franc

Park map

Visualize the geographic spread of protected areas and national parks across Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso National Parks Map: Geographic Locations of Protected Areas

Explore the mapped locations of national parks and protected areas within Burkina Faso, gaining insight into their geographic placement across this West African nation. Access the full country park map to delve deeper into the regional context and conservation landscapes of Burkina Faso.

Open Full Burkina Faso Park Map

Discover essential facts on Burkina Faso's national park geography, protected-area distribution, and conservation efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks and Protected Areas in Burkina Faso

Uncover common questions related to Burkina Faso's national parks, their unique savanna ecosystems, and regional protected areas like Kaboré Tambi and W National Park. Understanding these frequently asked questions provides valuable context for exploring the country's diverse conservation landscapes and mapping its key natural reserves.

Other countries

Compare regional park geographies, tracing the spread of protected landscapes and conservation efforts.

Discover Other Countries with National Parks and Protected Areas Beyond Burkina Faso

After exploring Burkina Faso's national parks and protected areas, browse additional country park lists to understand the broader West African conservation landscape. Continue your park atlas journey by comparing protected geographies, mapped terrains, and key conservation initiatives across a wider range of nations.

Ghana National Parks and Protected Areas: Browse Mapped Landscapes and Regional Geography

Access a structured overview of Ghana's national parks and protected areas, presented with a focus on geographic discovery and atlas exploration. Understand the spatial relationships between these protected landscapes and the surrounding natural terrain. This resource details mapped park boundaries and highlights their significance within Ghana's broader regional geography, providing essential context for any atlas-based exploration.

21 parks

Ghana National Parks and Protected Areas

Ivory Coast National Parks and Protected Areas: Mapped Landscapes and Geographic Context

Ivory Coast's protected natural areas offer a window into its diverse landscapes, from gallery forests to savanna ecosystems. This geographic atlas entry provides a structured overview of national parks and other protected lands, highlighting their mapped boundaries and regional context. Explore the country's conservation network and understand the distribution of significant natural territories for informed discovery.

21 parks

Ivory Coast National Parks and Protected Areas

Benin National Parks and Protected Areas: Geographic Overview and Map Exploration

Navigate the protected natural areas of Benin through an atlas-focused approach. This resource highlights the geographic spread of national parks and conservation landscapes, offering a clear view of the country's protected territories. Understand the regional context and mapped boundaries of Benin's natural heritage, facilitating structured discovery for those interested in conservation geography and landscape analysis.

15 parks

Benin National Parks and Protected Areas

Guinea National Parks and Protected Areas Atlas: Browse Protected Landscapes

Understand the breadth of protected lands across Guinea. This atlas provides a geographic overview, detailing the mapped boundaries and regional context of national parks and other protected areas. Explore the distribution of Guinea's natural landscapes and understand their placement within the country's diverse terrain.

13 parks

Guinea National Parks Atlas

Nigeria's National Parks and Protected Areas: A Mapped Geographic Overview

Navigate Nigeria's national parks and protected areas with a focus on geographic discovery. This atlas provides a structured view of protected lands, highlighting their regional placement and natural landscape context. Understand the breadth of conservation areas within Nigeria, from savanna ecosystems to island berg landscapes, aiding in detailed geographical exploration and comparison.

13 parks

Nigeria National Parks and Protected Areas

Liberia National Parks and Protected Areas: Explore Geographic Distribution and Mapped Landscapes

Access a structured overview of Liberia's national parks and protected areas. This atlas-style exploration details the geographic spread and mapped boundaries of conservation lands, offering insight into the country's natural terrain and regional ecological significance. Understand where protected landscapes are situated across Liberia and their relation to broader West African geography.

11 parks

Liberia National Parks and Protected Areas

Mali National Parks and Protected Areas: Browse Protected Landscapes and Geography

Navigate Mali's protected natural areas, from the Sudanian savanna to woodland ecosystems, using this comprehensive atlas view. Explore the geographic distribution and mapped boundaries of national parks and conservation lands across this West African nation. Gain structured insight into the country's natural terrain and its importance for regional geography and habitat protection.

4 parks

Mali National Parks and Protected Areas

Togo National Parks and Protected Areas: An Atlas Exploration of Natural Landscapes

Access a structured geographic overview of Togo's national parks and protected natural areas. This atlas-style resource details the mapped boundaries and regional spread of conservation landscapes, offering insight into the country's protected terrain. Understand how Togo's protected areas fit into the broader West African geographic context.

3 parks

Togo National Parks Atlas

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Protected area types

Continue Exploring Burkina Faso's Protected Area Classifications

Deepen your understanding of Burkina Faso's natural landscapes by continuing to explore its protected area classification system. Examine the specific categories and represented designation groups, such as National Parks, to gain insight into the mapped conservation efforts across this West African country. This focused approach reveals how classification aids in understanding regional park geography and protected land distribution.

Burkina Faso park designations and classifications

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Dive deeper into the world's protected landscapes and national parks through MoriAtlas's structured atlas interface. Discover how continents and countries are organized, and how individual park geography fits into the broader map. Our platform is built for understanding the distribution and context of protected areas worldwide, facilitating your journey through global natural geography.

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