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According to localcollegeexplorer, Burundi is a small East African country located in the Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. With an area of 27,834 km² and a population of 11 million people, Burundi is one of the smallest countries in Africa. The capital city is Bujumbura. The area now known as Burundi has been inhabited since at least 500 BC by various ethnic groups including Hutu and Tutsi. It was colonized by Germany in 1889 and became part of German East Africa until it was occupied by Belgium during World War I. In 1923, it became part of Belgium’s League of Nations mandate known as Ruanda-Urundi which included modern-day Rwanda and Burundi. Following World War II, Ruanda-Urundi was split into separate countries with Burundi becoming an independent nation on July 1st 1962. The first president, Michel Micombero established an authoritarian government which was dominated by his own ethnic group – the Hutu – leading to increased tensions with Tutsis who were seen as being discriminated against and excluded from power. This led to a series of coups throughout the 1970s culminating in a civil war between 1993-2005 in which over 300,000 people were killed or displaced from their homes due to violence or fear for their safety. Following negotiations mediated by Nelson Mandela in 2003, a power sharing agreement was reached that saw Peter Nkurunziza become President in 2005 after winning elections that same year despite widespread allegations of fraud and intimidation against opposition candidates. Nkurunziza has remained President since then having been reelected twice more but has come under increasing criticism for his authoritarian style of rule including restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly as well as allegations that he has used violence and intimidation against opponents or those perceived to be critical of him or his government. Despite these issues Burundi has made progress towards greater stability over recent years particularly since 2015 when elections were held without major incidents or reports of fraud or intimidation leading some observers to suggest that democracy may be taking hold within the country although further progress will be needed before this can be confirmed without doubt. In 2010, Burundi was a small landlocked country located in Central Africa with a population of roughly 8.8 million people. It had been an independent state since 1962 and was in the process of transitioning from a monarchy to a republic. The economy of Burundi in 2010 relied heavily on subsistence agriculture with coffee, tea, and cotton being its major exports. Manufacturing played a much smaller role in the economy but still provided jobs for some people in the form of tin smelting, textiles, and woodworking. Despite its economic progress since independence, Burundi remained one of the poorest countries in the world due to poverty and low levels of education among its population. In 2010 only 28% of the population had access to basic health care services while only 11% had access to safe drinking water. Education was also lacking with only 59% of children aged 6-14 attending school regularly. The government worked hard to improve these conditions by providing free primary education, enacting laws that protected children from exploitation, and introducing programs to promote economic growth such as microfinance initiatives for small business owners. The political situation in Burundi remained largely unstable throughout 2010 due to ongoing tensions between different ethnic groups within the country as well as occasional protests against government policies or corruption which highlighted the need for greater transparency from officials at all levels. Despite these challenges, Burundi still remained an attractive destination for tourists looking to explore its vibrant culture or experience its unique wildlife such as chimpanzees and leopards that lived along Lake Tanganyika which bisected the country from east to west. Check estatelearning for Burundi in 1999.

Burundi Guide

Burundi Guide

Burundi – country information Country name Burundi Official name Republic of Burundi Capital Bujumbura Continent Africa Area 27,834 km2 Population 10,163,000 (2013) Foundation of a state 1/7/1962 The highest mountains Mukike 2670 m State system a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament The biggest cities Bujumbura (capital) 375,000, Gitega 140,000 Official language French, Rundish Ethnicity/National Composition Hutus 82%, Tutsis 13.5%, Pygmies 1%, others 3.5% Religious affiliation Roman Catholic 65.5%, Protestant 14%, Muslim 1.5%, no religion 18.5% Currency 1 Burundian franc…

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