Small, not too dry, but landlocked, the country of Burundi is located in East Africa. There are no impressive natural resources here, no generous nature – nothing that could help. More precisely, all this was, but the impact of man from year to year destroys nature in these parts. Alas, today this state is one of the poorest and most undeveloped in the world.
Facts about Burundi
- Pygmies once inhabited this land, but they were forced out of their territory more than a thousand years ago.
- The first European missionaries arrived in Burundi in the last years of the 19th century.
- For a long time, the colonialists tried to unite this country with neighboring Rwanda into a single possession (interesting facts about Rwanda).
- The state of Burundi managed to be a colony of Germany and Belgium.
- French is the official language here, but in practice, few people speak it here. In addition, it has changed quite a lot here, and it would be difficult for a Frenchman to understand the locals.
- About 90% of the population of Burundi lives in rural areas. Subsistence farming allows you to somehow make ends meet.
- More than half of all local residents live in absolute poverty.
- The population of Burundi is about 12 million people.
- The name of the city of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, is translated as «a market where they sell potatoes».
- Almost 6% of the state budget of the country is spent on the needs of the army. This is understandable – the situation in the region is not serene.
- The total length of the border of Burundi is less than 1000 kilometers.
- In the «index of happiness of the population», which determines the satisfaction with their lives of residents different countries, Burundians come last, making Burundi the most miserable country on earth.
- As in neighboring Rwanda, Tutsis live here – the highest people on earth. A man taller than two meters is the most common sight here.
- There are many minerals in the depths of Burundi, but they are not being developed in any way. The country is still trying to survive on the export of coffee, which is used to produce most of the agricultural land.
- The country has about two hundred doctors. With almost the same population, even in Haiti there are four times as many (interesting facts about Haiti).
- There are no railways in Burundi. There are paved ones, but they are few. Mobile communication is available only to 2% of local residents.
- The level of immigration here has been one of the highest in the world for several years. Many Burundians are looking for a better life anywhere outside their homeland, so the population here is not growing, but declining.
- The western border of the country runs along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world (interesting facts about lakes).
- The world-famous Dutch roses were once taken to Europe from Burundi.
- The most popular drink here is banana beer. Its production takes up to half of the banana crop.
- The enmity between the two main peoples of Burundi, the Hutu and the Tutsi, has not subsided for many decades. The 21st century has become a little calmer thanks to the influence of more developed countries.
- The Royal Drummers Ensemble of Burundi is the pride of the local government, so they take part in every official event.
- The rate of deforestation here is terrifying. The country is overpopulated, and the forests are being cut down constantly, rapidly disappearing year after year.
- There are problems with gasoline. Often, motorists and motorcyclists queue for 3-4 hours to refuel.
- Up to 5% of all nickel reserves on our planet lurk in the bowels of the earth near Burundi.
- In 2014, local authorities have banned jogging, considering it a cover for illegal movement around the country.