Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, between Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Gitega is the political capital and Bujumbura, on Lake Tanganyika, the largest city and economic center. Kirundi is the national language, and Kirundi, French and English are official.

Twa, Hutu and Tutsi peoples have lived in the hills for at least five centuries, and by the late 16th century a Kingdom of Burundi had formed on the eastern slopes of the Rift Valley. Ruled by a king, the mwami, with a court of princes, it grew by joining smaller neighbors and stayed independent for more than 200 years. Burundi became part of German East Africa in 1885 and, after World War I, part of the Belgian-run territory of Ruanda-Urundi. Prince Louis Rwagasore led the unity party UPRONA to a clear victory in the elections of 1961, and Burundi became independent on 1 July 1962 as a kingdom under Mwami Mwambutsa IV.

The Arusha Agreement of 2000 was largely written into the constitution of 2005, which set up the present republic. Most people farm, and coffee and tea earn most of the export income, while bananas, cassava, maize and beef feed the country. The land holds nickel, cobalt, copper and uranium.

The central plateau averages about 1,700 m (5,600 ft), and Mount Heha rises to 2,685 m (8,810 ft) southeast of Bujumbura. A source of the Nile rises in Bururi Province, and Kibira and Ruvubu national parks, both founded in 1982, protect mountain forest and river valleys. The Royal Drummers of Burundi have performed around the world for decades with their large karyenda drums, and woven baskets are a popular craft. The runner Francine Niyonsaba is an Olympic and world silver medalist.