Facts About Burundi

Burundi is a country in Central Africa, bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Below are some introductory facts about this nation

  • Official Name: Republic of Burundi           

  • Population: 11,866,000

  • Age: The average Burndian is 17.7 years old, and lives to 61.5

  • Capital City: Gitega (135,000)

  • Largest Cities: Bujumbura, Gitega, Muyinga, Ngozi

  • Languages: Kirundi (national language), French, English

  • Religions: 65.3% Catholic, 26.2% Christian, 5.5% Traditional Faiths

  • Government: Republic; democratically elected, post-transition government - 08/26/2005.

  • Literacy: 37%

  • Human Development Index: 185th of 189 (2020)

  • Geography: A tropical equatorial climate on the central African plateau. It borders Lake Tanganyika, the largest source of freshwater on the continent.

  • Area: 225,227 sq. km. (9,740 sq. mi.)a bit larger than the state of Maryland

  • Lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m  Highest point: Mount Heha 2,670 m 

  • Natural resources: Gold, nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides

  • Agriculture products: Coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, bananas, beef

  • Industries: Light consumer goods, and assembling imported components

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Fun Historical Facts 

  • Burundi is famous for its drummers and dancers.

  • Cattle are considered a good sign of their owner’s health, happiness, and prosperity. A typical Kirundi greeting, “Amashyo,” translates as “May you have herds of cattle.”

  • Ethnic groups of Burundi consist of  the Twa, Hutu and Tutsi.

  • After the island Mauritius and its northern neighbor Rwanda, Burundi is the third most densely populated country on the continent.

  • With borders roughly parallel to its ancient kingdoms, Burundi is considered to be among the oldest countries in Africa.