Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in the west of Africa. It spans an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than the state of Colorado in the United States. The country's terrain is characterized by a vast plateau, with the exception of the south-central region, which is home to the Mouhoun River and the Bobo-Dioulasso plain. The highest point in Burkina Faso is Mount Tenakourou, which stands at an elevation of 749 meters above sea level. Burkina Faso is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, one of the most diverse in West Africa. Among them are the elephant, the hippopotamus, the buffalo, the monkey, the lion, the crocodile, the giraffe, various species of antelope, and a wide variety of birds and insects. There are 147 species of mammals, 330 species of aquatic animals of which 121 are fish, and 2067 different species of plants. Among the plant species, the Shea tree and the Baobab tree are the dominant endemic species, the former being of immense economic value to the country. As of 2005, 497 bird species of various families have been recorded in Burkina Faso, including 35 rare or accidental species, 12 near-threatened species, three vulnerable species and one endangered species. Four national parks have been created to ensure the protection and conservation of Burkina Faso's wildlife. They are the Po National Park located in the south-center of the country, the Arli National Park created in 1954 in the south-east, the Niger National Park, a transboundary park created in 1957 in the east on the border between Benin and Niger, and the Deux Balés National Park.