1959-PRESENT
A landlocked republic in the Savannah region of West Africa, formerly the French colony of Upper Volta, bounded by the states of Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast. Following a 1983 coup d'etat, Upper Volta's name was changed to Burkina Faso on Aug. 4, 1984. The name is a transliteration of indigenous words meaning "country of incorruptible men." The first stamps bearing the new name were in an airmail set issued on May 23, 1984.
Narrative by Linn's Stamp News
Precedent Countries:
UPPER VOLTA
1958-1984
For period 1933-1958 see French Sudan, Ivory Coast, and Niger
FRENCH COLONY OF UPPER VOLTA
1920-1933
Prior to 1919 see Upper Senegal and Niger
