44 Facts About Burundi

Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa.

Burundi's national anthem, "Ubumwe, Ibikorwa, Iterambere," translates to "Unity, Work, Progress" in Kirundi. Unfortunately, Burundi was named the world's unhappiest country in the 2016 World Happiness Report.

HIV/AIDS is a major threat to the Burundi population.

Burundi won a gold medal for the first time in Olympic history in 1996. As a result, it became the poorest country to ever win an Olympic gold medal. Venuste Niyongabo of Burundi won the prestigious medal in the 5000-meter race.

Group jogging is prohibited in Burundi. Burundi's president banned the activity in 2014, citing the fact that such walks can aid in the planning of subversive (anti-government) activities.

Deforestation and soil erosion are becoming issues for the Burundi population as a result of farming and overgrazing.

Burundi held its first election on September 8, 1961.

Burundi was previously known as Ruanda-Urundi.

Louis Rwagasore, the first Prime Minister, was assassinated only a few weeks after his election.

When Melchior Ndadaye was elected president in 1993, he became the country's first Hutu ruler.

The largest port is in Burundi's capital, Bujumbara.

Gitega is Burundi's second-largest city.

Burundi has only two coffee processing plants. One is in the capital, while the other is in Gitega.

The majority of Burundi's population lives in villages scattered throughout the highlands.

Burundi's population consumes very little protein and fat. As a result, a disease known as kwashiorkor is prevalent.

People in the region primarily consume carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Meat accounts for no more than 2% of the average diet.

Straws are used to drink beer, which is an important part of social interactions.

When a cow dies, its meat is eaten and its horns are planted in the soil near the house. Burundians believe that doing so brings them good fortune.

The country imports twice as much as it exports ($603.8 million) (2017 est.)

Agriculture employs 90 percent of the Burundi population.

Burundi has a high rate of sex trafficking and forced child labour.

Burundi is located in the centre of Africa on a "rolling" plateau. These plateaus vary in elevation: a flat area at 1500 m rises to 2000 m, then descends to another plateau at 1500 m, resulting in an undulating (rolling) landscape. These features are known as rolling plateaus in Africa.

"Mount Heha" is Burundi's highest point. It stands at a height of 2684 metres (8,806 feet).

Burundi's national sport is football (soccer).

Burundi is Africa's third most densely populated country, trailing only Mauritius and Rwanda.

The official languages of Burundi are French and Kirundi.

Burundi has seven airports and a total railway length of 12,322 kilometres.

Burundi's official currency, the Burundi Franc, was first issued in 1963.

Burundi is a United Nations member.

Burundians frequently face hunger, corruption, poor infrastructure, and limited access to health and education services.

In the country, houses were traditionally made of mud and grass. Tin is now used for roofing because grass and leaves are scarce.

The people of the country are referred to as "Burundians."

The Tutsi people have largely controlled the country's economy and politics, oppressing the Twa and Hutu minorities.

For at least 500 years, the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi peoples have lived in Burundi.

Burundi gained its independence on July 1, 1962.

Since the country's independence, there has been a constant dispute and conflict between the majority Hutus (85%) and the minority Tutsi (14%). To resolve the conflict, a cease-fire agreement was signed in 2003.

Hutus were short and square agricultural people, while Tutsi were tall and thin cattle-owning elite.

Cows play an important role in Burundi's national culture. "Amashyo," a common Kirundi greeting, translates as "May you have herds of cattle." Cattle are a symbol of good health, happiness, and wealth.

Burundi is one of Africa's few republics with a female prime minister (Sylvie Kinigi).

Burundi's rainforests once housed one of the world's largest crocodiles.

Every year, Burundi receives an average of 848 mm of rain. It has the driest weather in July and the wettest weather in April.

During Burundi's 12-year civil war, an estimated 200,000 people were killed.

Hundreds of thousands of Burundians have fled to neighbouring countries as a result of the ongoing civil war.