Profil environnemental du Burkina Faso

This environmental profile of Burkina Faso encompasses five socio-economic regions: the northern region (Sahel), the central, eastern, western and southwestern regions. It describes the country's environment, population, and natural resources, as well as ecosystem and socio-economic factors. The chapter on the environment includes, among others, climate and precipitation, geology, geomorphology and hydrology. The section describing population examines the country's demographics, its various ethnic groups, population movements, living conditions, and various aspects of land ownership. Access to drinking water constitutes one of the major problems in the country. Most water holes and wells are polluted. Long periods of drought and continuing environmental degradation have affected groundwater levels all over the country. The quantity of water used for irrigation surpasses the amount used for human, livestock and industrial consumption. Much of the water used for irrigation is lost due to evaporation.