Burundi

1500s – Early Kingdom of Burundi: The Kingdom of Burundi is established as one of the centralized monarchies in East Africa

1890 – German colonial rule: Burundi becomes part of German East Africa

1916 – Belgian control: After World War I, Belgium takes control of Burundi, establishing it as a part of Belgian Congo

1962 – Independence from Belgium (Tuesday, July 1, 1962): Burundi gains independence, with monarchy restored

1966 – Monarchy abolished: The monarchy is overthrown by military coup, and Burundi becomes a republic

1972 – Ethnic violence: Mass killings of Tutsis in 1972 result in the death of tens of thousands

1993 – First democratic elections and genocide: President Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu, is elected; his assassination leads to the outbreak of civil war and the deaths of up to 300,000 people

2000 – Arusha Accords: A peace agreement is signed, officially ending the civil war

2005 – New constitution and elections: Burundi adopts a new constitution and holds democratic elections

2015 – Political crisis: President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to run for a third term leads to protests and violence

2020 – Presidential election: Évariste Ndayishimiye is elected president in the first election after Nkurunziza’s death

Continent: Africa (East Africa)
Location: Landlocked, bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west
Capital: Gitega (since 2019, previously Bujumbura)
Language: Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official)
Currency: Burundian franc (BIF)
Population: ~13 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2)

Borders: Rwanda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Landscape: Highlands, plateaus, and valleys
Major Rivers: Ruzizi River, Malagarasi River
Notable Features: Lake Tanganyika (western border), Teza Plateau

Ethnic Groups: Hutu (about 85%), Tutsi (about 14%), Twa (about 1%)
Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholic about 62%, Protestant about 33%), Islam (about 5%)
Urban Population: ~13% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Burundi has a very youthful population, with a large proportion under the age of 30, and has struggled with ethnic conflicts historically.

Famous For: Traditional music and dance, batwa (pygmy) art, and woven crafts
Cuisine: Beans, maize, cassava, rice, and plantains (main staples), and grilled meats
Arts: Drumming and dance are integral, with traditional songs being passed down through generations
Sports: Football (soccer), volleyball, athletics, and basketball

Economy Type: Low-income economy, heavily reliant on agriculture
GDP: Approx. $3.2 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (coffee, tea, sugar, and cassava), mining (tin, tungsten, gold), and textile manufacturing
Key Exports: Coffee, tea, sugar, cotton
Unemployment Rate: ~6.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is centered in Gitega and Bujumbura (formerly), with agriculture being crucial in rural areas.

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Évariste Ndayishimiye (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: President Évariste Ndayishimiye (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (National Assembly and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 2005, with amendments made in 2018

Gitega: The new capital, with cultural landmarks and the Gitega National Museum
Lake Tanganyika: The second-largest freshwater lake in the world, known for its biodiversity and recreational opportunities
Kibira National Park: A large rain forest with diverse wildlife
Rusizi River Wetlands: An ecologically important area with rich birdlife
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None as of 2023