Facts about Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country in East Africa. Bujumbura is the capital city as well as the largest city in the country. The official languages of the country are Kirundi and French. Burundi franc is the national currency and Republikay Uburundi is the national name of the country. "Burundi Bwacu" is the country's national anthem. Similarly, Ruzizi Kagera is the country's principal river. Hyena is the national animal and Soccer is the national sport of Burundi. Furthermore, the White Sugarbush is the national flower of the country. With these interesting facts about Burundi, let’s learn more about the history, culture, religion, people, industries, tourism, tradition, and many more.

Quick Facts about Burundi

The official name of Burundi: The Republic of Burundi

Area: 27,834 km2

Population(2020): 11.86 million

Population density: 401.6 per kilometers Square

GDP (PPP)(2019): $3.380 Billion

GDP Per Capita (nominal): $310

Continent: Africa

Capital: Bujumbura (old), Gitega (now)

Language: English, Swahili, Kirundi, French, Lingala

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

Largest by area: 142th largest country

Religion: Christianity: 91.5% (Roman Catholic: 65.3%, Other Christian: 26.2%), Traditional faiths: 5.5%, Islam: 2.1%, and Others-0.2%.

Government: Unitary dominant-party Presidential republic

Currency: Burundian franc (FBu) (BIF)

Calling Code: +257

Time Zone: UTC+2 (Central Africa Time)

24 Interesting Facts about Burundi

1. Bordered country of Burundi

Burundi is bordered by three countries. Rwanda to the North, Tanzania to the East, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo to the West.

2. The first elections in the country

The first elections in the country took place on September 8, 1961. These were parliamentary elections that install the first government of the country. After the parliamentary election in 1962, the country was independent.

3. Capital shifted from Bujumbura to Gitega

In 2019, the parliament of the country voted to move the capital from Bujumbura to Gitega to promote urbanization and infrastructural development. Bujumbura had served as capital since independence.

4. Beer is popular in Burundi

Beer is very much popular among the Burundi people and it is also an important part of the social culture in Burundi. When relatives come into someone's home in Burundi then people offer beer. It is one of the ways to show respect to relatives in Burundi. There's traditional beer made out of bananas is highly consumed across the country. Furthermore, Burundi people celebrate their vacation by gathering at one place and beer is drunk using straws from a central pot. It is the best moment for them that they get to enjoy when they're gathering.

5. Burundi is the poorest African country

Burundi is one of the poorest African countries. More than 90% of the people in Burundi are involved in Agriculture activities. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa with a high population. Thus, deforestation is one of the major problems of the country. People use deforestation lands for agriculture and grazing purpose.

The country is one of the world's poorest countries.

Due to its landlocked geography, poor legal system, lack of access to education, lack of economic freedom, and the proliferation of HIV aids most of the population living in poverty.

6. Cows are part of the culture 

In the Burundian (Kirundi) culture, cows are given high value. On the death of cows in Burundi, the meat is eaten and the horns are planted in the ground nearby the owner's houses of the cow. By doing this, they can bring good luck to the family. It is one of the interesting facts about Burundian culture.

7. Most people live in rural areas in Burundi

The majority of the population in Burundi live in a rural villages. More than 80% of the people in Burundi live in rural areas which are highly underdeveloped. The livelihoods of the citizens of Burundi are very much poor. All most all the populations of Burundi are below the poverty line.

8. Olympic Gold medal

In 1996 for the first time in the history of Burundi, Venuste Niyongabo won the first Olympic gold medal for the country. He is a long-distance track and field runner. He won the 5000-meter race and bring home the first Olympic Gold Medal.

9. Home of the Kirundi Language

Kirundi, French, and English are the official languages of the country. But Kirundi language is one of the highly spoken languages in Burundi. Burundi is one of those few homogeneous countries in Africa where at least every citizen speaks and understands their national language. The Kirundi is the national language of the country. And more than 90% of the country's population's spoken and understood national language.

French was adopted from the Belgian colonial master and the country also recently added the English language as their official language because Burundi is also a member state to the East African Community (EAC).

10. Burundi is a hilly country

Burundi is a hilly and mountainous place. Similarly, the country has a majestic primeval rain forest. This forest is home to dozens of primate species and hundreds of other mammals and birds. Unfortunately, due to deforestation the dozens of species and hundreds of other mammals and birds are disappearing from the country.

11. Burundi is home to Gustave the Gigantic crocodile

One of the world's largest crocodiles Gustave is from Burundi. It is about 18 feet in height and 2000 pounds in weight. Gustave is mainly found in the Ruzizi River on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi. This crocodile kill more than 300 people till now and the crocodile age is around 65 years.

12. World second deepest Lake

Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest freshwater lake in the world that lies in Burundi. Similarly, this lake lies on the border of three countries, that are Zambia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Similarly, this lake is also the source of livelihood for many peoples. Most people in lakes areas do fishing for livelihood, and fishing is also one of the main sources of income for those people who live near Lake Tanganyika.

13. A country that totally bans group jogging or workouts

The late President, Pierre Nkurunziza pass the laws in 2014, that group jogging or workouts in the country are totally banned. The president cited that these group jogging could result in subversive activities such as anti-government protests. So this is the main reason that Pierre Nkurunziza bans group jogging or workouts in the country.

14. Civil war is the main problem of the country

Like Burundi, many African countries face the problem of civil wars. Around 80,000 to 2,50,000 people died in Burundi from the various conflicts between 1962 and 1993. After the independence in 1962, two genocides have taken place in the country.

15. Burundi has a long history

Burundi, together with Rwanda and Tanzania used to be the colony of German East Africa. After Germany, Belgium was taken the colony, and in 1962, Burundi finally gained independence from the European colonial powers.

16. Country is a part of the Albertine Rift

Burundi is a part of the Albertine Rift, the western extension of the East African Rift. The rift is the narrow zone, in which the African Plate is in the process of splitting into two tectonic plates. This is happen 10 million years ago and now these lands will separate, forming a new ocean and an East African Island.

These are some interesting facts about Burundi.

Some more interesting facts about Burundi

• Burundi is the first country in the world to leave the ICC (International criminal court).
• 56.8% of children under age 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition in Burundi.
• Burundi is the least happy nation in the world.
• Gitega is the second-largest city in Burundi.
• Lack of natural resources in Burundi.
• World worst Telecommunication network in Burundi.
• Burundi has a rich culture
• HIV/AIDS is one of the major threats to the population of the country.
• Before independence, the country was named Ruanda-Urundi.
• The country's capital Bujumbura has the largest port.
• Protein and fat intake in the population of Burundi is very limited so many people suffer from Kwashiorkor.
• Burundi lies in the rolling plateaus.
• Burundi has been home to the Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi peoples for at least five hundred years.
• The people of the country are called Burundians.
• Mount Heha is the highest point in Burundi.
• After Mauritius and Rwanda, Burundi is the third most densely populated country in Africa.
• Burundi is also a member of the United Nations.

These are some more interesting facts about Burundi.

Fun Facts about Burundi

1. Only 2% of people in Burundi take meat in the average food intake.
2. Cattle are a symbol of health, happiness, and prosperity in Burundi.
3. The first prime minister, Louis Rwagasore, was assassinated a few weeks after his election.
4. Internet access is very poor.

These are some interesting fun facts about Burundi.

In conclusion

In this article, we discuss interesting facts about Burundi. You can get some ideas about Burundi after reading this article. You have any queries about this beautiful country and want to add some more facts about Burundi in this article then please comment to us. We always add your valuable facts in our article and also your comment motivates us. If you want more information about interesting facts about countries, sports, technology and many more stay in touch with us.