OFFICIAL NAME:

Republic of Burundi

Government

Type: Republic. Democratically elected, post-transition government established August 26, 2005.
Independence: July 1, 1962 (from Belgium).

Geography

Location: Central Africa. Bordering nations--Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda.
Area: 27,830 sq. km. (10,747 sq. mi.)
Cities: Capital--Bujumbura (pop. 300,000).
Other cities--Cibitoke, Muyinga, Ngozi, Bubanza, Gitega, Bururi.
Climate: Equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January).
Terrain: Hilly, rising from 780 meters (2,600 ft.) at the Shore of Lake Tanganyika to mountains more than 2,700 meters (9,000 ft.) above sea level.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Burundian(s).
Population (July 2007 est.): 8,390,505.
Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 3.593%.
Ethnic groups (estimated): Hutu 85%; Tutsi 14%; Twa 1.0%.
Religions (estimated): Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%.
Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area), English.
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--84.05% male, 62.8% female. Literacy--51.6% of total adult population (2003 estimate).
Health (2007 est.): Life expectancy--total population: 51.29 years; male: 50.48 years; female: 52.12 years. Infant mortality rate--61.93/1,000.


At 206.1 persons per sq. km., Burundi has the second-largest population density in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil. The population is made up of three major ethnic groups--Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. Kirundi is the most widely spoken language; French and Kiswahili also are widely spoken. Intermarriage takes place frequently between the Hutus and Tutsis. Although Hutus encompass the majority of the population, historically Tutsis have been politically and economically dominant.

Although the situation has cooled in recent years, Burundi is a powder keg that could potentially explode at any moment. Travellers are strongly advised to stay away until Burundi gets back on its feet.

When To Go

If you want to avoid getting wet, the rainy season in Burundi lasts from around October to May, with a brief dry spell in December and January. If you like getting sweaty, head to the hot and steamy lowlands around Lake Tanganyika, where temperatures average 30°C (86°F), or stay cool in the more mountainous north, where the usual temperature is a much milder 20°C (68°F).


source: wikipedia.org, lonelyplanet.com, about.com