Editing Geography of Burundi

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox country geography
 | name              = Burundi
 | map               = [[File:Burundi map OMC.png|250px]]<br><br>[[File:LocationBurundi.svg|240px]]
 | map size          = 
 | continent         = Africa<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/burundi/| title = CIA World Factbook| date = 15 November 2022}}</ref>
 | region            = East Africa
 | coordinates       = {{coord|3|30|S|30|0|E|}}
 | area ranking      = 142nd
 | km area           = 27830
 | percent land      = 92.2
 | percent water     = 7.8
 | km coastline      = 0
 | borders           = 1,140 km (DRC 236&nbsp;km, Rwanda 315&nbsp;km, Tanzania 589&nbsp;km)
 | highest point     = [[Mount Heha]] 2684 m
 | lowest point      = [[Lake Tanganyika]] 772 m
 | longest river     = [[Ruvubu]] 300 km
 | largest lake      = Lake Tanganyika
}}
{{MapLibrary|Burundi_sat.png|Burundi}}
[[File:Burundi Topography.png|thumb|Topography of Burundi]]
[[File:Burundi2021OSM.png|thumb|Enlargeable, detailed map of Burundi]]
[[File:Burundi location map.svg|thumb|State of Burundi]]

'''Burundi''' is located in East [[Africa]], to the east of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], at the coordinates {{coord|3|30|S|30|0|E|}}.

==Physical geography==
[[Burundi]] occupies an area equal to {{convert|27830|km2}} in size, of which {{convert|25680|km2}} is land. The country has {{convert|1140|km}} of land border: {{convert|236|km}} of which is shared with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, {{convert|315|km}} with [[Rwanda]] and {{convert|589|km}} with [[Tanzania]]. As a landlocked country, Burundi possesses no coastline. It straddles the crest of the [[Congo–Nile Divide]] which separates the basins of the [[Congo River|Congo]] and [[Nile]] rivers. The farthest headwaters of the Nile, the [[Ruvyironza River]], has its source in Burundi.

===Terrain===
The terrain of Burundi is hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in the east. The southern and eastern [[plain]]s have been categorised by the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] as part of the [[Central Zambezian miombo woodlands]] ecoregion.

The lowest point in the country is at [[Lake Tanganyika]], at {{convert|772|m}}, with the highest point being on [[Mount Heha]], at {{convert|2684|m}}.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.countriesquest.com/africa/burundi/land_and_resources.htm| title = Burundi, land and resources}}</ref> Natural hazards are posed in Burundi by flooding and lands.

=== Forests ===
In Burundi [[forest cover]] is around 11% of the total land area, equivalent to 279,640 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 276,480 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 166,670 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 112,970 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 23% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 41% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Burundi |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/BDI/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

===Natural resources===
Burundi possesses reserves of: [[nickel]], [[uranium]], rare earth oxides, [[peat]], [[cobalt]], copper, [[platinum]] (not yet exploited), [[vanadium]], [[niobium]], [[tantalum]], gold, [[tin]], [[tungsten]], [[kaolin]], and [[limestone]]. There is also arable land and the potential for hydropower. Burundi has {{convert|214.3|km2}} of land that is irrigated. The table below describes land use in Burundi.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Land use
|-
! Use !! Percentage of Area
|-
! arable land
| 42.83
|-
! permanent crops
| 13.63
|-
! other
| 43.54
|-
|}

== Climate ==
{{main|Climate of Burundi}}

The climate of Burundi is [[Tropical rainforest climate|equatorial]] in nature and is marked by high mean annual temperatures, small temperature ranges, and rainfall throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McKnight |first1=Tom L. |title=Physical geography: a landscape appreciation |last2=Hess |first2=Darrel |publisher=[[Prentice Hall]] |year=2000 |isbn=0-13-020263-0 |edition=6th |location=Upper Saddle River |pages=205–208 |language=en}}</ref> The temperature and amount of rainfall varies dependent upon altitude.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Baramburiye |first1=Juvent |title=East African agriculture and climate change: a comprehensive analysis |last2=Kyotalimye |first2=Miriam |last3=Thomas |first3=Timothy S. |last4=Waithaka |first4=Michael |publisher=[[International Food Policy Research Institute]] |year=2013 |editor-last=Waithaka |editor-first=Michael |location=Washington, D. C. |pages=55–87 |language=en |chapter=Burundi |editor-last2=Nelson |editor-first2=Gerald C. |editor-last3=Thomas |editor-first3=Timothy S. |editor-last4=Kyotalimye |editor-first4=Miriam}}</ref> Burundi experiences its [[dry season]] between May and August, and its [[Wet season|rainy season]] between February and May.<ref name=":0" /> Due to [[climate change]], Burundi is becoming more susceptible to both excess and deficit rainfall, leading alternately to [[flood]]s and [[drought]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Naumann |first1=G. |last2=Barbosa |first2=P. |last3=Garrote |first3=L. |last4=Iglesias |first4=A. |last5=Vogt |first5=J. |date=6 May 2014 |title=Exploring drought vulnerability in Africa: an indicator based analysis to be used in early warning systems |url=https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/18/1591/2014/ |journal=[[Hydrology and Earth System Sciences]] |volume=18 |issue=5 |pages=1591–1604 |via=[[Copernicus Publications]]}}</ref>

==Environment==
===Current issues===
In Burundi, [[soil erosion]] poses a significant challenge, exacerbated by [[overgrazing]] and the expansion of agriculture into [[Marginal land|marginal lands]]. This problem is compounded by other environmental issues such as [[deforestation]], driven by the uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel, and habitat loss, which severely threatens wildlife populations. The cumulative effect of these issues not only degrades the environment but also undermines the agricultural productivity that is crucial for the country's economy and [[food security]]. The "Adapting to Climate Change in the Lake Victoria Basin" project, initiated by the [[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP) and funded by the [[The Adaptation Fund|Adaptation Fund]], addresses these interconnected concerns. By promoting nature-based solutions like [[reforestation]] and the construction of terraces, the project helps stabilize the soil and improve water retention, which mitigates the impact of soil erosion. Additionally, the introduction of sustainable practices such as the eco-friendly fish-drying kiln helps reduce the dependence on wood for fuel, thereby curbing deforestation. This comprehensive approach not only aims to enhance environmental resilience but also supports sustainable development by preserving natural habitats and promoting the sustainable use of resources, thereby securing the livelihoods of local communities against the backdrop of climate change.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Burundi’s fishers and farmers adapt to climate crisis |url=http://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/burundis-fishers-and-farmers-adapt-climate-crisis |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=UNEP |language=en}}</ref>[[File:Haut plateau.jpg|thumb|left|Plateau of Burundi]]
===International agreements===
Burundi is a party to the following international agreements that relate to the environment: [[Biodiversity]], [[Climate change|Climate Change]], [[Desertification]], [[Endangered species|Endangered Species]], [[Hazardous waste|Hazardous Wastes]] and Ozone Layer Protection. The following have been signed but not yet ratified by Burundi: Law of the Sea and Nuclear Test Ban.

== Extreme points ==

This is a list of the extreme points of [[Burundi]], the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

* Northernmost point – [[Muyinga Province]]; unnamed location on the border with [[Rwanda]] immediately south of the Rwandan town of [[Mbuye]]
* Easternmost point – [[Cankuzo Province]]; unnamed location on the border with [[Tanzania]] immediately northwest of [[Mburi hill]]
* Southernmost point – [[Makamba Province]]; unnamed location on the border with Tanzania immediately north of the Tanzanian town of [[Mwenene]], 
* Westernmost point – [[Cibitoke Province]]; unnamed location on the border the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] immediately east of the Congolese town of [[Kamanyola]]

==References==
{{CIA World Factbook}}<references/>
{{Geography of Africa}}
{{Africa topic|Climate of}}
{{Burundi topics}}

[[Category:Geography of Burundi| ]]