II.

Land and Resources

With an area of 27,834 sq km (10,747 sq mi), Burundi is one of Africa’s smallest countries. Most of the country is a hilly plateau region, with elevations ranging between 1,400 and 1,800 m (between 4,600 and 5,900 ft). Elevations decrease gradually to the east and southeast. The narrow western margin, bordering the Ruzizi River and Lake Tanganyika, lies in the trough of the Great Rift Valley. Southeast of Bujumbura, Burundi’s highest peak, Karonje, rises to an elevation of 2,760 m (9,055 ft).

A.

Rivers and Lakes

The main rivers are the Ruzizi, Malagarasi, and Ruvuvu, none of which are navigable. Dominating the south and west of the country, Lake Tanganyika is shared by Burundi, the DRC, and Tanzania. In the northeast Lake Cohoha and Lake Rugwero straddle the border with Rwanda. Water from the Malagarasi and Ruzizi rivers is used for irrigation in the extreme eastern and extreme western lowlands.

B.

Plants and Animals

Savanna vegetation (grassland interspersed with trees) predominates in most of the country. Eucalyptus, acacia, and oil palm are the most common trees. Forests, once extensive, are now concentrated in national parks and nature reserves. The diverse wildlife is limited by dense human settlement and includes elephants, leopards, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, wild boars, antelope, monkeys, and galagos (bush babies). Birds, such as guinea hens, partridges, ducks, geese, quail, and snipe, are particularly plentiful around the northeastern lakes.

C.

Natural Resources

Arable land and land used for permanent crops account for 53 percent of Burundi’s land area. Another 6 percent is covered by forest. The principal mineral resources are peat, uranium, nickel, petroleum, tin, bastnasite, and gold.

D.

Climate

The climate is tropical, moderated in most places by altitude. The average annual temperature is 20°C (68°F) on the plateau and 23°C (73°F) in the Great Rift Valley. Dry seasons are from May to August and from January to February, and the rest of the year is rainy. The average annual precipitation is about 850 mm (about 33 in), but can vary significantly year to year. Lack of rain periodically causes droughts, and excessive rainfall can cause floods and landslides.

E.

Environmental Issues

Poor land management has damaged the country’s environment. Overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands have contributed to severe soil erosion. Most of the country’s once extensive forests have been cleared for pastureland and farmland, and human settlements are encroaching upon the habitats of Burundi’s wildlife. Of the animal species that inhabit Burundi, 28 (2004) are threatened. Burundi has ratified an international agreement intended to protect endangered species. About 5.4 percent (2004) of the country’s total area is officially protected from development. The main protected areas are Kibira National Park, Ruvubu National Park, Ruzizi Nature Reserve, and Bururi Nature Reserve.