Ouagadougou (WAH-GAH-doo-goo) is the capital of Burkina Faso. It is the country's largest city, with a population of 960,116 (2000) and is the communications, cultural and economic centre as well as the administrative centre. Its name is often shortened to Ouaga.

The city is roughly in the centre of the country (12.4° N 1.5° W). The city has only limited industry, mainly in food processing and textiles. There is an international airport, a rail link to Abidjan in the Côte d'Ivoire and another to Kaya in the north of Burkina, and road links with Niamey, Niger.

The University of Ouagadougou , founded in 1974 (or 1969), was the country's first institution of higher education.

The city has few major modern buildings, excepting the headquarters of the West African Central Bank , and the old Ouagadougou Central Mosque remains one of the tallest and most significant buildings. The city hosts the annual FESPACO African film festival. In part as a result, there are many cinemas, alongside nightclubs and French, American and Zaka cultural centres . There is also the biennial SIAO craft festival, which claims to be the largest in Africa.

Ouagadougou is the site of Ouagdougou Grand Market , one of the largest markets in West Africa. Other attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso , the Moro-Naba Palace and several craft markets. Other major buildings include Ouagadougou Cathedral and the Maison du Peuple .

Ouagadougou was a state founded in the 11th century, the central settlement was called Kombemtinga , it became capital of the Mossi empire in 1441. The state grouped with three others into French colony of Upper Volta (Haute Volta) in 1919 with Komemtinga, renamed Ouagadougou, as the capital following on the French capture of the area in 1896. Ouagadougou became the capital city of the independent Republic of Upper Volta in 1960, renamed Burkina Faso in 1984.

The city is divided into 30 sectors. Areas of Ouagadougou include Gounghin , Kamsaoghin , Koulouba , Moemmin , Niogsin , Paspanga , Peuloghin and Tiendpalogo .

External link

• Ouagadougou Official site of the government of Ouagadougou