UPPER VOLTA Meaning and
Definition
-
Upper Volta, also known as Haute-Volta, referred to an erstwhile country in West Africa. Spanning from 1958 to 1984, Upper Volta was situated in the region currently known as Burkina Faso. The country's name was derived from its location alongside the Black Volta River, distinguishing it as the "upper" region as opposed to "Lower Volta" in present-day Ghana.
Upper Volta gained its independence from French colonial rule on August 5, 1960. The country's political climate was characterized by a series of military coups and political instability throughout its existence. Initially, Upper Volta adopted a parliamentary system, but in 1966, Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana seized power in a military coup, which marked the beginning of military rule. For the next decade, the country experienced several coups and military governments, contributing to social unrest and economic challenges.
On August 4, 1983, Captain Thomas Sankara orchestrated a coup, assuming leadership and renaming Upper Volta as Burkina Faso, which translated to "Land of Incorruptible People." The name change aimed to signify a new era of self-sufficiency and cultural identity. This marked the end of the era of Upper Volta as a distinct country.
Today, while Upper Volta no longer exists as an independent nation, the historical significance of this period remains important, as it serves as a transitional phase leading to the establishment of Burkina Faso.
Common Misspellings for UPPER VOLTA
- ypper volta
- hpper volta
- jpper volta
- ipper volta
- 8pper volta
- 7pper volta
- uoper volta
- ulper volta
- u-per volta
- u0per volta
- upoer volta
- upler volta
- up-er volta
- up0er volta
- uppwr volta
- uppsr volta
- uppdr volta
- upprr volta
- upp4r volta
- upp3r volta
Etymology of UPPER VOLTA
The term "Upper Volta" is derived from the French language. In the late 19th century, French colonizers established the French Upper Volta (Haute-Volta in French) as a colony in West Africa. The name itself comes from the two rivers that flow through the region, the Black Volta (Volta Noire) and the White Volta (Volta Blanche).
The word "Volta" is of Portuguese origin, derived from "Volta do Mar" meaning "turn of the sea". It referred to the curved route used by Portuguese sailors to navigate the Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese explorers applied the name to the river found in the region during their expeditions.
After gaining independence from France in 1960, the country was named Upper Volta.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
