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Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The country gained independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962. Before independence, it formed part of the colonial territory known as Ruanda-Urundi.
Louis Rwagasore, the country’s first prime minister, was assassinated shortly after independence. In 1993, Melchior Ndadaye became Burundi’s first democratically elected Hutu president, but his assassination triggered years of civil conflict.
Burundi experienced a civil war from 1993 to 2005, during which an estimated 200,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands fled to neighboring countries.
For centuries, Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa communities have lived in Burundi. These groups traditionally differed in occupation rather than ethnicity, with farming, cattle herding, and hunting playing central roles in society. Cattle remain culturally important and symbolize wealth, health, and social status.
Burundi’s terrain is dominated by high plateaus and rolling hills, giving the country a cool climate despite its equatorial location. The highest point is Mount Heha, which rises to about 2,684 meters above sea level.
The capital was formerly Bujumbura, but in 2019 the political capital was moved to Gitega, which lies near the geographic center of the country. Bujumbura remains the main economic center and the country’s largest port on Lake Tanganyika.
The official languages are Kirundi and French, with Kirundi spoken by nearly the entire population. The national currency is the Burundian franc, introduced in 1963.
Most Burundians live in rural villages, and about 90 percent of the population depends on agriculture for survival. Coffee and tea are the main export crops. The country imports more goods than it exports, contributing to chronic economic difficulties.
Food insecurity is common, and many people rely heavily on carbohydrates such as cassava, maize, and bananas, with limited access to meat and protein. Malnutrition remains a serious public health problem.
Environmental pressures such as deforestation and soil erosion have increased because of population growth, farming on steep hillsides, and limited arable land.
Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, yet it is also among the poorest. Access to healthcare, clean water, and education remains limited in many areas.
The country faces persistent health challenges, including malaria, HIV/AIDS, and childhood malnutrition. Shortages of trained medical staff have worsened these problems.
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport, but Burundi also gained international attention when Venuste Niyongabo won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the 5,000 meters at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Traditional housing was once made mainly of mud and grass, though metal roofing has become more common as natural materials grow scarce.
Despite political instability and poverty, Burundi maintains a strong cultural identity, reflected in drumming traditions, cattle symbolism, and communal greetings that emphasize prosperity and harmony.
Burundi is a member of the United Nations and the African Union, and it continues efforts to stabilize politically and rebuild its economy after decades of conflict.
Burundi lies along Lake Tanganyika, the second-deepest lake in the world and one of Africa’s most important freshwater resources. The lake supports fishing communities and regional trade with Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The country is considered one of the possible sources of the Nile River, as the Ruvubu River in northern Burundi feeds into the Kagera River, which then flows into Lake Victoria.
Burundi is famous for its royal drummers, whose performances are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The drumming tradition was historically linked to the monarchy and is still performed at national ceremonies and festivals.
The climate is tropical highland, with relatively mild temperatures because of altitude. There are two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year.
Burundi has no coastline, which makes trade more expensive because goods must pass through ports in Tanzania or Kenya before reaching the country.
The traditional economy was once organized around cattle ownership, which shaped social hierarchy and marriage customs. Bride wealth was often paid in cows, and cattle remain symbols of prestige.
Although Kirundi is the national language, Swahili and English are increasingly used in trade and education, especially since Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC).
Burundi has very limited natural resources, but small deposits of nickel, gold, and rare earth elements exist and are being explored.
The country has one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly half of its people under the age of 15.
Burundi has no railway system and relies mainly on roads and Lake Tanganyika for transport.
The national dish is often considered ugali (maize porridge) with beans or vegetables. Milk and bananas are also important traditional foods.
Despite its struggles, Burundi has a long tradition of poetry, storytelling, and oral history, used to preserve clan lineages and historical memory.
Burundi was once a kingdom (mwami) for centuries before colonial rule, and its monarchy survived into the 20th century before being abolished in 1966.
The country’s flag symbolizes unity and struggle:
• Red = struggle
• Green = hope
• White = peace
• Three stars = unity, work, and progress
Burundi is one of the smallest countries in mainland Africa, but also one of the most intensively farmed, with hillsides cultivated almost to their peaks.
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