Ouagadougou, also Wagadugu, city in central Burkina Faso, capital of the country and of its Kadiogo Province. A commercial and administrative center, it is connected by rail with Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on the Atlantic Ocean, and by road with Niamey, Niger. Livestock, grain, cotton, vegetables, and shea nuts are produced in the surrounding area, which also has granite and lignite deposits. Industries include cotton ginning, textile weaving, and the manufacture of foodstuffs, beverages, clothing, rugs, soap, and metal handicrafts.
The city is the site of the University of Ouagadougou (1969), several research institutes, a sports stadium, and the palace of a Mossi chief. Ouagadougou became the center of a powerful Mossi state around 1400. In 1896 the city was captured by the French, and it served as the capital of France's Upper Volta protectorate from 1919 to 1932 and from 1947 to 1960, when the country (now Burkina Faso) became independent. Population (1991 estimate) 634,479.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Ouagadougou Information info
|
