Upper Volta, 1958-1984 The Republic of Upper Volta was established on December 11, 1958, as a s

Upper Volta, 1958-1984

The Republic of Upper Volta was established on December 11, 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. The country was located in West Africa, between Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Though the flag looks just like that of the German Empire it has nothing to do with it. The Volta, that gave the country its name is a river that is divided into three parts: the Black Volta, White Volta, and Red Volta, which form the colors of the national flag corresponding to parts of the river.

After a military coup d'état in 1983 the country changed its name on August 4, 1984, from the Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means “Land of Incorruptible People”.