evidence: Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has a rich and complex history shaped by many cultural influences, colonial subjugation, and a determined struggle for independence. The history of Burkina Faso, formerly known as Upper Volta, is a testament to the resilience and tenacity of its people, who have weathered centuries of external control and internal challenges to forge a path toward self-determination and nationhood. [...] The early 20th century saw further administrative restructuring within French West Africa. In 1919, the French authorities created a separate colony named Upper Volta (Haute-Volta), comprising territories from present-day Burkina Faso, parts of Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire. This decision was primarily driven by the need to improve administrative efficiency and facilitate the exploitation of the region’s agricultural potential, particularly in cotton production. [...] Independence and the birth of Burkina Faso