6,088,000 (1996).

218.7 per sq km.

Bujumbura

300,000 (1993).

Burundi is a land-locked country in the heart of Africa, a little south of the equator, on the eastern shore of lake Tanganyika. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, by Tanzania to the south and by the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. The interior is a broken plateau sloping east to Tanzania and the valley of the River Malagarasi. The southern tributary of the Nile system rises in the south of the country. The landscape is characterised by hills and valleys covered with eucalyptus trees, banana groves, cultivated fields and pasture. In the east, the fertile area gives way to savannah grassland, and tea and coffee are now grown on mountainsides.

Republic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966. Head of State: President Pierre Buyoya since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Pascal-Firmin Ndimira since 1996.

The official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.

Mainly Roman Catholic; there are Anglican and Pentecostalist minorities. Local animist beliefs are held by a significant minority. There is also a small Muslim community.

GMT + 2.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.