Burundi or Republic of Burundi. Located in central Africa, it is landlocked. It is bordered to the north by Rwanda, to the east and south by Tanzania and to the west by Lake Tanganyika, which separates it from Zaire. Burundi is located on a plateau crossed by several rivers, among which the Ruvubu stands out, and a mountain range that runs through it to the west where an extensive valley runs through the Ruzizi river. The valley forms a large rift, to the north of which is Lake Tanganyika and to the west is Lake Kivu.
It is one of the poorest states in the world. According to the World Bank, in 1987 the country’s GDP was $ 1 205 million, which is equivalent to an annual income of $ 250 per capita. The economy is based primarily on agriculture, forestry and fishing. Most of the crops are tea, coffee, cotton, cassava, and sweet potatoes. This country is the main exporter of coffee in Africa.
The state has valuable untapped mineral reserves. Burundi is the richest country in the world in deposits of nickel (approximately five percent of the world’s reserves), vanadium and uranium.
Economy
Burundi is one of the poorest states in the world. According to the World Bank, in 1987 the country’s GDP was $ 1 205 million, which is equivalent to an annual income of $ 250 per capita.
The economy is based primarily on agriculture, forestry and fishing. Most of the crops are tea, coffee, cotton, cassava, and sweet potatoes. This country is the main exporter of coffee in Africa.
The state has valuable untapped mineral reserves. Burundi is the richest country in the world in deposits of nickel (approximately five percent of the world’s reserves), vanadium and uranium. Oil reserves have also been detected in the depths of Lake Tanganyika. In 1986, the Amoco Burundi oil company signed a first contract with the government to drill two wells.
The textile industry is quite developed, although in reality it is a nascent sector. The government has been trying to strengthen this sector since 1983. Foreign investments are becoming more frequent. Likewise, between 1986 and 1987, sugarcaneplantations multiplied in order to satisfy the greatest amount of internal demand and reduce external dependence on basic products.
In 1976, Burundi created, together with Rwanda and Zaire, the Economic Community of Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL). That happened a few months after the country became a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Preferential Trade Area. Burundi’s active participation in the framework of African multilateral cooperation strengthens its negotiating position at the international level.
The country’s communications received an important boost in 1986, with the construction of the Makamba-Butenbera highway. Its construction would facilitate transportation in an area that has significant agricultural potential, while strengthening communications with Tanzania.
Almost at the same time it was decided to build a shipyard financed by the African Development Fund. The same year the government announced the construction of a railway that would connect Uganda with Tanzania through Rwanda.
Social development
It is a state of little surface area with a high population density, which aggravates social problems. It has programs to redistribute the population, with a view to tackling the problem of food shortages.
Since 1986, there is a cooperation agreement in health matters (assistance and equipment) between this country and the People’s Republic of China. The malaria, the tuberculosis and dysentery are very widespread diseases among the population.
The recovery program, promoted by the government, promotes intensive crops of oilseeds, sugar cane, beans, among others, also favoring the creation of cooperative farms.
Education
According to andyeducation, education is free and primary education is compulsory. In this teaching, the children learn the Kirundi language and French in the second. Primary school teachings last six years and begin at six years of age. Secondary education is not compulsory.