Ouagadougou

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.

Related Topics:
Burkina Faso - 2000

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The city is roughly in the centre of the country (12.4° N 1.5° W). Its primary industries are food processing and textiles. Ougadougou is served by an international airport, rail links to Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire and to Kaya in the north of Burkina, and a highway to Niamey, Niger.

Related Topics:
Food processing - Textiles - International airport - Abidjan - Côte d'Ivoire - Kaya - Niamey - Niger

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

Related Topics:
University of Ouagadougou - 1974

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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.

Related Topics:
West African Central Bank - Ouagadougou Central Mosque - FESPACO - Africa - Cinema - Nightclub - Zaka - Cultural centre - SIAO

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Ouagadougou is the site of Ouagadougou 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.

Related Topics:
Ouagadougou Grand Market - West Africa - National Museum of Burkina Faso - Moro-Naba Palace - Craft - Ouagadougou Cathedral - Maison du Peuple

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