The Rarely Seen Beauty of Burkina Faso

From malnutrition to military coups, Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, has its share of problems. Most recently, a weekend attack on the four-star Splendid Hotel and adjoining Cappuccino Cafe in the capital of Ouagadougou that killed 30 has rightfully dominated the news. But that's not the whole story about Burkina Faso. We decided, instead, to show another side of the country.
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    A baobab tree and goats in the countryside. Though much of Burkina Faso country is desert, the country has rejuvenated stretches of soil in the past few decades, and has grown its agricultural production to become one of the leading cotton producers and exporters in Africa.

  • Geological experts say the Domes de Fabedougou, pictured here, date back 1.8 billion years—to when the area was entirely underwater.

  • Pictured: The Grand Mosque built in Sahel-style mud architecture in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second-largest city. One of the country's iconic landmarks, the mosque was constructed in 1893.

  • An aerial view taken on July 29, 2014 shows a landscape near Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso has a population of some 19 million, and nearly three million of those citizens live in the capital.

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  • The village of Tiébélé is known for its elaborately painted homes, a project done by women in the community that dates back to the 16th century.

  • Sindou Peaks, cones sculpted by the elements, is one of the country's most popular sites for hiking and exploring.