Burundi in 2009

BurundiFacts and statistics on Burundi including history, population, politics, geography, economy, religion and climate
By the Guardian



Potted history of the country:

Tutsis established control in the 15th century. It was colonised by Germany in the 1890s, then handed to Belgium in 1916. Independence in 1962 saw Tutsi rule and tensions mount. Melchior Ndadaye, the Hutu president, was assassinated in 1993, leading to more violence in which 300,000 died. Ndadaye's successor, Cyprien Ntaryamira, and the Rwandan president died when their plane was shot down on 6 April 1994, triggering the Rwandan genocide.

At a glance Location: Central Africa Neighbours: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania Size: 10,747 square miles Population: 8,508,000 (89th)


Density:

791.7 people per square mile Capital city: Bujumbura (population 429,000) Head of state: President Jean-Pierre Nkurunziza Currency: Burundian franc Time zone: Burundi time (+3 hours) International dialling code: +25 Website: Not available Data correct on Monday 20 April 2009.

Political pressure points:
Calm after more years of conflict, although President Pierre Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel leader, has been urged to reach out to all communities to consolidate the peace process. By law, the national assembly must be made up of 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with 30% female members. The country's judicial system functions poorly.

Population mix:

Hutu 85%, Tutsi 14%, Twa 1%

Religious makeup: Catholic 62%, indigenous religions 23%, Muslim 10%, Christian or no religious affiliation 5%

Main languages:

French, Kirundi, Swahili



Living national icons: Khadja Nin (singer), Marguerite Barankitse (humanitarian), Shabani Nonda (footballer)

Burundi on a map. Source:

Graphic Landscape and climate: The "Eden" of Africa, with stunning peaks in the north and beautiful inland beaches in the south-west. Temperatures vary according to region: cooler in the highest mountainous zones ; humid in the lowlands.

Highest point: Mount Heha, 2,670 metres

Area covered by water: 842 square miles

Healthcare and disease: Decades of conflict have taken their toll on the country's health sector, and hospitals sometimes detain patients who cannot pay for their treatment. The leading causes of death include malaria, TB and malnutrition. Tackling HIV/Aids is a priority for the government.

Average life expectancy (m/f): 47/49

Average number of children per mother: 6.8

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births: 1,100

Infant deaths per 1,000 births: 181

Adults HIV/Aids rate: 3.3%

Doctors per 1,000 head of population: 0.03

Adult literacy rate: 59.3% (m 67.3/f 52.2%)

Economic outlook: Resource poor with a shattered post-war economy. Half the population lives below the poverty line and the country is heavily dependent on agriculture and aid, with electricity in short supply.



Main industries:
Agriculture


Key crops/livestock: Coffee, tea, cassava, sweet potatoes

Key exports: Coffee, tea

GDP: £461m (164th)

GDP per head: £56


Unemployment rate: 14%

Proportion of global carbon emissions: 0.01%

Most popular tourist attractions: Pyramid at the southern most source of the Nile in Rutovu, the Livingstone-Stanley Monument and the capital, Bujumbura.

Local recommendation: Kagera Falls, a stunning series of waterfalls, near Gitega, Burundi's second largest city. Or head to Saga beach, which is closer to the capital, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the longest freshwater lake in the world.

Traditional dish: Mealie meal (maize), porridge served with meat

Foreign tourist visitors per year: 148,418

Media freedom index (ranked out of 173): 94

Did you know ... It was in Burundi, on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, that the journalist Henry Stanley tracked down the explorer David Livingstone in 1871.


National anthem:

Beloved Burundi, gentle country
Take your place in the concert of nations
Acceding to independence with honourable intentions
Wounded and bruised, you have remained master of yourself...


Is this really Burundi ?