Est Region (Burkina Faso)

Est is one of 13 regions into which the West African state of Burkina Faso is administratively divided. The capital is Fada N'Gourma. The region, which lies in the east, includes the provinces of Gnagna, Gourma, Komondjari, Kompienga and Tapoa.

In contrast to the Mossi Plateau, the Est region is rather sparsely populated with 1,181,332 inhabitants on 46,256 km², and so it happens that numerous migrants, especially Mossi and Fulbe, join the long-established Gourmantché.

The Est region has the largest nature reserves in the country: the Arly National Park, the Burkinabe part of the W National Park and the réserves of Pama, Arli, Singou and Kourtiagou. To the west of Pama lies the Kompiengas reservoir.

The inhabitants live mainly from agriculture. Mineral resources, including copper and gold, are extracted from 45 mines.