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| Burundi | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
Savanna vegetation predominates in most of the nation. Eucalyptus, acacia, and oil palm are the most common trees. Forests, once considerable, are now concentrated in national parks and nature reserves. The various wildlife is limited by dense human settlement and includes elephants, leopards, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, antelope, monkeys, and flying lemurs.
| Burundi | Communications | Back to Top |
Primitive system
Domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
International: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat.
| Burundi | Culture | Back to Top |
The valuableness of Burundian culture is apparent in a strong literary and musical tradition and a wide range of fine crafts. Little government funding for cultural activities is available. The major libraries are at the University of Burundi, the American Cultural Center, and the French Cultural Center in Bujumbura and the Burundi Literature Center in Gitega. The most valuable museums are Bujumbura’s Living Museum and the National Museum in Gitega.
Much of Burundi's valuable cultural heritage, most notably folk songs and dances, was intended to extol the virtues of kingship; since the fall of the monarchy in 1966 and particularly after a massacre of Hutu in 1972, such cultural expression has waned. The annual sorghum festival was once the occasion for a magnificent display of orthodox dances by court dancers, with the Karyenda, an emblem of the monarchy, intended to give both musical and symbolic resonance to the ceremony.
| Burundi | Defence | Back to Top |
Military branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie
Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,394,273 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 728,326 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males
| Burundi | International Disputes | Back to Top |
None
| Burundi | Economy | Back to Top |
One of the world’s poorest nations, Burundi has a predominantly agricultural economy. The nation’s around gross domestic product (GDP) was $0.7 billion in 1999. Export earnings are controlled by a single crop: coffee. National budget figures for 1998 showed a large deficit, with $148 million in revenues and $219 million in expenditures. The government and foreign companies dominate the export area of the economy. Burundi is heavily dependent on foreign aid, principally from Western Europe. Past austerity measures have added to ethnic tensions. In turn, ethnic and political instability has severely affected Burundi’s production capacity. Burundi’s labor force numbers 3.6 million people, of which 15 % are engaged in agriculture, 22 % in industry, and 59 % in services.
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor nation with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore rests largely on the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 250,000 persons and the displacement of about 800,000 others. Only one in four children go to school, and one in nine adults has HIV/AIDS. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply.
By the late 1990s more than three-fifths of the nation's population was living in poverty, a result of civil strife and the ravages of war, the predominance of orthodox subsistence agriculture, the persistence of low income levels, chronic deficits in the balance of trade, and heavy dependence on foreign aid. Western nations and surrounding African countries imposed economic sanctions against Burundi following a Tutsi-led military coup in July 1996, which affected all of Burundi's exports and its oil imports. Some of the sanctions were eased in April 1997, and a regional embargo was lifted in April 1999, but the process of economic recovery has been slow.
| Burundi | Education | Back to Top |
Primary education is free and officially compulsory for children aged 7 through 12, although in 1996 only 50 % of primary school-age children were in school. Secondary school enrollment was even lower, with 8.5 % of secondary school-age children attending school. The literacy rate for Burundi is 65 % of the population. Attendance and literacy rates are very low due to national instability and shortages of teachers and school supplies.
| Burundi | Government | Back to Top |
In November 1995, the presidents of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zaire announced a regional initiative for a negotiated peace in Burundi facilitated by former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere. In July 1996, former Burundian President Buyoya returned to power in a bloodless coup. He declared himself president of a transitional republic, even as he inactive the National Assembly, banned opposition groups, and imposed a nationwide curfew. Widespread condemnation of the coup ensued, and regional countries imposed economic sanctions pending a return to a constitutional government. Buyoya agreed in 1996 to liberalize political parties. Nonetheless, fighting between the army and Hutu militias continued. In June 1998, Buyoya published a transitional Constitution and announced a partnership between the government and the opposition-led National Assembly. After Facilitator Julius Nyerere's death in October 1999, the regional leaders appointed Nelson Mandela as Facilitator of the Arusha peace process. Under Mandela the faltering peace process was revived, leading to the signing of the Arusha Accords in August 2000 by representatives of the principal Hutu (G-7) and Tutsi (G-10) political parties, the government, and the National Assembly. the FDD and FNL armed factions of the CNDD and Palipehutu G-7 parties refused to accept the Arusha Accords, and the armed rebellion continued.
In November 2001, a 3-year transitional government was accomplished under the leadership of Pierre Buyoya (representing the G-10) as transitional president and Domitien Ndayizeye (representing the G-7) as transitional vice president for an initial time of 18 months. In May 2003, Mr. Ndayizeye assumed the presidency for 18 months with Alphonse Marie Kadege as vice president. While the establishment of a transitional government represents remarkable progress toward representative government and elections, failure to reach agreement with the rebel factions on an end to the fighting has delayed implementation of military reform and other social and political measures called for by the Arusha Accords. A permanent cessation of hostilities will be essential for the complete implementation of the democratization and security provision of the Arusha Accords. President Ndayizeye continues to negotiate with the CNDD-FDD on an integration plan under the auspices of Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. There are plans for local and national elections before the conclusion of the transitional time in November 2004.
| Burundi | History | Back to Top |
In the 16th century, Burundi was a kingdom characterized by a hierarchical political authority and tributary economic exchange. A king headed a princely aristocracy which owned most of the land and required a tribute, or tax, from local farmers and herders. In the mid-18th century, this Tutsi royalty consolidated authority over land, production, and distribution with the development of the ubugabire--a patron-client relationship in which the populace received royal protection in exchange for tribute and land tenure.
Full freedom was achieved on July 1, 1962. In the context of weak democratic institutions at freedom, Tutsi King Mwambutsa IV accomplished a constitutional monarchy comprising equal numbers of Hutus and Tutsis. The 1965 assassination of the Hutu prime minister set in motion a series of destabilizing Hutu revolts and consequent governmental repression. In 1966, King Mwambutsa was deposed by his son, Prince Ntare IV, who himself was deposed the same year by a military coup lead by Capt. Michel Micombero. Micombero abolished the monarchy and declared a republic, although a de facto military regime emerged. In 1972, an aborted Hutu rebellion triggered the flight of hundreds of thousands of Burundians. Civil unrest continued throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.
In 1991, Buyoya approved a Constitution that provided for a president, multi-ethnic government, and a parliament. Burundi's first Hutu president, Melchior Ndadaye, of the Hutu-controlled FRODEBU Party, was elected in 1993. He was assassinated by factions of the Tutsi-controlled armed forces in October 1993. The nation was then plunged into civil war, which killed tens of thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands by the time the FRODEBU government regained control and elected Cyprien Ntaryamira president in January 1994. Nonetheless, the security situation continued to deteriorate. In April 1994, President Ntayamira and Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana died in a plane crash. This act marked the beginning of the Rwandan genocide, while in Burundi, the death of Ntaryamira exacerbated the violence and unrest. Sylvestre Ntibantunganya was installed as president for a 4-year term on April 8, but the security situation further deteriorated. The influx of hundreds of thousands of Rwandan refugees and the activities of armed Hutu and Tutsi groups further destabilized the regime.
| Burundi | Introduction | Back to Top |
Burundi, landlocked republic, eastern Africa, bordered on the north by Rwanda, on the east and south by Tanzania, and on the west by Lake Tanganyika and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With an area of 25,650 sq km, it is one of the smallest countries on the African continent. The capital of Burundi is Bujumbura.
Official Name -Republic of Burundi| Burundi | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Burundi | Languages | Back to Top |
The chief ethnic groups are the Hutu and the Tutsi, who traditionally comprised 84 % and 15 % of the population, respectively. due to Hutu emigration and Tutsi immigration, the politically dominant Tutsi now make up around 20 % of the population. The Twa, a pygmy group, account for 1 %. The official languages are Kirundi and French. Swahili is also widely spoken along Lake Tanganyika.
| Burundi | Life | Back to Top |
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports promotes both orthodox and modern sports in Burundi. orthodox activities such as drumming and dancing are social customs and competitive sports. famous athletes include Dieudonne Kwizera and Vénuste Niyongabo; both competed in the 1996 Olympic Games, with Niyongabo winning the gold medal in the 5,000 metres, the first Olympic medal for Burundi.
| Burundi | organization | Back to Top |
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.
| Burundi | People | Back to Top |
The Hutu and Tutsi have long viewed each other with mutual dislike, mistrust, and fear. Throughout Burundi's colonial history, various European groups exploited these ethnic differences as a means of keeping the two groups at odds. Regardless of how or why these distinctions arose, they have resulted in continued violence and bloodshed.
At 206.1 persons per sq. km., Burundi has the second-largest population density in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil. The population is made up of three major ethnic groups--Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. Kirundi is the most widely spoken language, French and Kiswahili also are widely spoken. Intermarriage takes place often between the Hutus and Tutsis. The terms "pastoralist" and "agriculturist," often used as ethnic designations for Tutsi and Hutu, respectively, are only occupational titles which vary among individuals and groups. Although Hutus encompass the majority of the population, historically Tutsis have been politically and economically dominant.
| Burundi | Politics | Back to Top |
Two national, mainstream governing parties are: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Luc RUKINGAMA, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president] note: A multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Joseph NZENZIMANA]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA]
| Burundi | Provinces | Back to Top |
Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi.
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| Burundi | Time | Back to Top |
| Burundi | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Burundi Francs | United States Dollars |
| 1.00 BIF | 0.00117185 USD |
| 853.353 BIF | 1 USD |
| Countries Currency Unit | USD/Unit | Units/USD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0129554 | 77.1877 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.341293 | 2.93004 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 0.533413 | 1.87472 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.0632609 | 15.8076 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.502513 | 1.99000 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.430318 | 2.32386 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 1.42399 | 0.702251 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.447293 | 2.23567 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 0.627606 | 1.59336 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00152392 | 656.202 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.120813 | 8.27726 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 1.49883 | 0.667186 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0281883 | 35.4758 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.117155 | 8.53568 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.370370 | 2.70000 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.217271 | 4.60255 |
| EUR | Euro | 0.870489 | 1.14878 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.447227 | 2.23600 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.146406 | 6.83034 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.132705 | 7.53550 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.445074 | 2.24682 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 301.977 | 0.00331151 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00255463 | 391.447 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.128215 | 7.79939 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00358416 | 279.006 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.00999868 | 100.013 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0205205 | 48.7319 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000102055 | 9,798.61 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 1.10529 | 0.904738 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.212386 | 4.70841 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000449570 | 2,224.35 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0210041 | 47.6099 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.00754183 | 132.594 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 1.41057 | 0.708931 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.000660937 | 1,513.00 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.263330 | 3.79751 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.111007 | 9.00848 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.440474 | 2.27028 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.113022 | 8.84780 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.395011 | 2.53158 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0166945 | 59.9000 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0196386 | 50.9202 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 510.962 | 0.00195709 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.243488 | 4.10699 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00434198 | 230.310 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000303433 | 32,956.21 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0321342 | 31.1195 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.266668 | 3.74998 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 4.65692 | 0.214734 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 0.542540 | 1.84318 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0208441 | 47.9751 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.0883340 | 11.3207 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.000759354 | 1,316.91 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00523174 | 191.141 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 1.24862 | 0.800882 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00384615 | 260.000 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.0964189 | 10.3714 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 0.593789 | 1.68410 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0286531 | 34.9002 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0230087 | 43.4619 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.163399 | 6.12000 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000000763622 | 1,309,549.07 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00108696 | 920.000 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000239866 | 4,169.00 |
| Burundi : Geographic coordinates | 3 30 S, 30 00 E |
| Burundi : Population growth rate | 2.38% |
| Burundi : Birth rate | 40.13 births/1,000 population |
| Burundi : Death rate | 16.36 deaths/1,000 population |
| Burundi : People living with HIV/AIDS | 360,000 |
| Burundi : Independence | 1 July 1962 |
| Burundi : National holiday | Independence Day, 1 July |
| Burundi : Constitution | 13 March 1992 |
| Burundi : GDP | purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion |
| Burundi : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $720 |
| Burundi : Electricity - consumption | 160.1 million kWh |
| Burundi : Exports | $32 million coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides |
| Burundi : Imports | $110 million capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs |
| Burundi : Telephones | 16,000 |
| Burundi : Mobile cellular | 619 |
| Burundi : Radio broadcast stations | AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 |
| Burundi : Radios | 440,000 |
| Burundi : Television broadcast stations | 1 |
| Burundi : Televisions | 25,000 |
| Burundi : Internet country code | .bi |
| Burundi : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 |
| Burundi : Internet users | 2,000 |
| Burundi : Railways | N/A |
| Burundi : Highways | 14,480 km |
| Burundi : Waterways | N/A |
| Burundi : Pipelines | N/A |
| Burundi : Ports and harbors | Bujumbura |
| Burundi : Merchant marine | N/A |
| Burundi : Airports | 4 |
| Burundi : Heliports | N/A |
| Burundi : Military branches | Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie |
| Burundi : Military expenditures | $57 million |