Editing History of Burkina Faso (section)

=== 2018 status ===
The 2018 [[CIA]] ''World Factbook'' provides this updated summary. "Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. Irregular patterns of rainfall, poor soil, and the lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure contribute to the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports ...The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports."

"While the end of the political crisis has allowed Burkina Faso’s economy to resume positive growth, the country’s fragile security situation could put these gains at risk. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges." Civil unrest continued to be problematic, according to the report. "The country experienced terrorist attacks in its capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and continues to mobilize resources to counter terrorist threats." (In 2018, several governments were warning their citizens not to travel into the northern part of the country and into several provinces in the East Region.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec-woman-and-italian-friend-missing-in-burkina-faso-1.4241773|title=Quebec woman and Italian friend missing in Burkina Faso|first=Jackie|last=Dunham|website=ctvnews|date=January 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burkina-faso-travel-advisory.html|website=Government of USA|date=11 October 2016|title=Burkina Faso Travel Advisory |access-date=6 January 2019}}</ref> The CIA report also states that "Burkina Faso's high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens". The report is optimistic in some aspects, particularly the work being done with assistance by the [[International Monetary Fund]]. "A new three-year IMF program (2018-2020), approved in 2018, will allow the government to reduce the budget deficit and preserve critical spending on social services and priority public investments."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burkina-faso/|website=Danube Travel|date=21 December 2018|title=Africa - Burkina Faso|access-date=16 January 2019}}</ref>