Burkina Faso: Flag and Facts
Burkina Faso's flag is red over green in two equal horizontal halves, with a yellow five-pointed star right in the middle.
- Capital
- Ouagadougou
- Region
- Western Africa
- Population
- 23 million (2025)
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA franc
- Area
- 272,967 km² (105,393 sq mi)
- People
- Burkinabe
- Calling code
- +226
- Highest point
- Tena Kourou 749 m
- Independence
- 5 August 1960 (from France)
- National symbols
- white stallion
About Burkina Faso
Red recalls the fight for freedom, green signals hope and plenty, and the yellow star stands for mineral riches. Together the three shades form the Pan-African palette seen on many flags across the continent. The national symbol is a white stallion, a nice match for a land whose old kingdoms relied on mounted warriors.
From the 12th through the 15th century, many of today's ethnic groups moved into the area. The Gurma and Mossi built some of the largest kingdoms, and among the Mossi states, Ouagadougou and Yatenga were the strongest. France conquered the area in the late 19th century and made it a protectorate. Independence came on 5 August 1960, and the country took the name Burkina Faso in 1984. Its plateau of grassy savanna turns into thin forest toward the south.
Did you know?
- Burkina Faso is landlocked and touches six countries, including Ghana, Mali, and Niger.
- Tena Kourou, the highest point in Burkina Faso, is 749 meters tall.
- Burkina Faso is slightly larger than Colorado.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Burkina Faso
What is the capital of Burkina Faso?
Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso.
What was Burkina Faso's name changed to in 1984?
The country adopted the name Burkina Faso in 1984, more than two decades after independence from France.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.