33 Fascinating Facts About Burundi — Geography, People, Culture and History
33 Fascinating Facts About Burundi — Geography, Culture, and History
Discover the vibrant heart of Burundi — a small but fascinating nation in East Africa. From its lush hills and Great Lakes geography to its rich royal past, resilient people, and unique cultural traditions, these 33 facts will help you see Burundi beyond the headlines.
It’s important to see beyond what tourists usually experience and understand Burundi’s culture, economy, and people. Learn an African country a day to deepen your respect for the continent’s diversity and history.
33 Things Burundi Is Known For
- Burundi’s official name is the Republic of Burundi, also known locally as Republique y'u Burundi.
- Its former name, Urundi, came from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th–19th centuries).
- Burundi is the most densely populated country in Africa, with about 248 people per square mile and a growth rate of nearly 3% per year.
- Burundi is landlocked in the African Great Lakes region, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- The capital, Bujumbura, has around 751,000 residents — slightly more than the U.S. state of North Dakota.
- Total population: about 10.7 million (World Bank, 2015).
- Citizenship is by descent only; a child must have a Burundian father to qualify.
- The national symbol is a lion; the flag colors are red, white, and green.
- Nearly half the population (45.6%) is under 14 years old; the average age is just 17 for men and 16.8 for women.
- Languages: Kirundi is widely spoken (29.7%), with French also official (0.3%); many local languages remain unclassified.
- Ethnic makeup: Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%), Twa (1%), plus small European and South Asian communities.
- Religions: Catholic 62.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Muslim 2.5%, other/unspecified remainder (2008).
- Burundi disputes 2 sq km of farmland with Rwanda (Sabanerwa, Rukurazi Valley) after the Akanyaru River shifted in 1965.
- Size: 27,816 sq km — slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland.
- Lowest point: Lake Tanganyika (772 m); highest: Mount Heha (2,670 m).
- Climate: two wet seasons (Feb–May & Sept–Nov) and two dry seasons (Jun–Aug & Dec–Jan).
- Agriculture drives over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population.
- Top exports: coffee & tea (90% of foreign exchange earnings).
- Foreign aid made up 42% of national income in 2014 — one of the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Independence Day: July 1, 1962, from Belgian administration under UN trusteeship.
- Government: Presidential republic.
- Burundi endured a devastating 15-year civil war with over 200,000 deaths.
- Its first democratically elected president was assassinated in 1993 after only 100 days in office.
- Pierre Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader, became president in 2005; he ruled 15 years until his death in June 2020. His successor is Evariste Ndayishimiye.
- The country still faces political unrest, contested elections, and economic struggles.
- Legal system: a mix of Belgian civil law and customary law.
- Burundi is a red-zone country for soaring food prices and insecurity.
- Natural disasters — floods, hailstorms, droughts, and heavy rain — regularly affect farming.
- Popular sports: football (soccer), basketball, track & field, judo, and rugby.
- National football team Intamba m’Urugamba means “Swallows in the War.”
- Urubugu (a mancala-style board game) is a beloved traditional pastime.
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