Burundi is a landlocked independent state which borders with Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo, thus forming part of the Central African Region. The capital city is Bujumbura. Other major towns are Makamba and Rumonge.

GEOGRAPHY

Often called “the heart of Africa,” Burundi covers an area of 27,834 square kilometers and lies between 2º30’ and 4º30’ latitude South and between 28º50’ and 30º53’30’ longitude East. Bounded to the North by Rwanda, to the West by Democratic Republic of Congo, and to the East and South by Tanzania, Burundi is part of East-Central Africa. It is part of the region of great lakes and rift valleys, which extends through Central Africa from the Red Sea to Lake Malawi through Ethiopia.

Burundi is a landlocked country

Distances as the crow flies:
From Bujumbura to the Indian ocean Port :1,100 km
From Bujumbura to the Atlantic ocean Port: 1,900 km

Surface distances:
Dar-es-Salaam to Kigoma : 1,250 km by rail
Kigoma to Bujumbura: 176 km by navigating: crossing Lake Tanganika
Mombasa to Kampala to Kigali to Bujumbura: 2,200 km.

TOPOGRAPHY

Burundi has four topographical zones:

The Rusizi plain, where the climate is tropical

The Congo-Nile Ridge, where the climate is mild and temperate; this area includes the great secondary forest of Kibira

The central plateau, featuring rolling hills

The depressions of the East and North-East, featuring tree-dotted savanna

CLIMATE

Burundi has a “moderate” tropical climate with average temperatures between 23 and 24ºC. This is a gift from nature to have such an average near the Equatorial area known for its heat and humidity. In Bujumbura city where it is hotter, average temperatures are about 25ºC. The country has two important seasons: the dry season from June to September and the rainy season from February to May. The remaining time is made up of middle seasons- half-dry and half-rainy-with a short rainy season between September and December and a short dry season between January and February. The vegetation is lush and agriculture important.

HYDROLOGY

The originality of Burundi’s hydrography lies in the role played by the Congo Nile Ridge in the division of the catchment basins.There are two basins: The basin of the River Congo, comprising all the rivers to the West of the ridge and the Kumoso, a tributary of the Maragarazi river.The Nile basin, comprising all the tributaries of the Ruvubu and the Kanyaru. With this basin, Burundi can claim to possess the Southernmost source of the Nile river, located near Rutovu commune, where a pyramid was erected in 1938. In addition to Lake Tanganika, there are many inland lakes commonly known as the “bird lakes” in the North-East of the country; among them are lakes Rwihinda, Cohoha, Rweru and Kanzigiri.

ETHNIC GROUPS

There are 3 social groups or groups improperly called “ethnic groups”: Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%).

Unlike real ethnic groups, Burundians have spoken one and the same unique language-Kirundi for a long time. They share the same values and live in the same villages. They all live on agriculture combined with livestock. There is no historical or identity reference which distinguishes them. Nevertheless, the Twa are not well integrated into the social order.

Despite the cultural, territorial and administrative unity of the Burundian people, their recent history has been characterized by tribal wars between communities, the height of which was reached in 1972 and 1993. But, one should not be mistaken because the great majority of the population (all the communities together) continue to live together as before on the same hills, they go to church, school, markets, bars and fetch water from the same springs.

LANGUAGE

Situated in the heart of Africa, Burundi is one of the very few African countries possessing linguistic homogeneity. Its people all speak the same national language, Kirundi, the medium of expression of Burundi’s centuries-old cultural heritage. French is the first foreign language, which became an administrative language. English is progressively getting important because of the opening of the country to the business world and the international market. Swahili, a trade language above all, is spoken in the cities and along Tanganika Lake.

CULTURE

Burundi’s culture consists a mixture of local traditions and customs adopted from neighboring countries.Drumming is an important element of the Burundian cultural heritage, and is often accompanied with dance. Some famous Burundian dances include the abatimbo and the abanygasimbo. Burundian artisans are also known for their intricate handmade crafts such as baskets, masks, statues, and pottery. The two most popular sports in the country are basketball and football. An estimated 75% of the country’s population is Christian, 20% subscribe to indigenous religious beliefs and the remaining 5% are Muslim. The largest holiday celebrated in the country is Christmas, but as of 2005, Eid ul-Fitr (an Islamic holiday) is also a public holiday.

TOURISM

Burundi has many exceptional natural attractions that are becoming a key focus of its newborn travel industry and of its tourist resources. Scenic lakes, mountains, wild animals, fairy-tale villages and communities are magnets for prospective eco-tourists.

You find many wildlife and nature preserves, and the town of Rutana is endowed with a monument to the source of the Nile River.