Living in Burundi

Burundi lies in East Africa in the Great Lakes region and borders Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The landlocked country has around 11.2 million people. Hilly landscapes, high plateaus, and Lake Tanganyika shape the natural environment. The lower-lying areas around Bujumbura are warm, while the highlands are generally milder; rainy and dry seasons shape the course of the year. Many people live in rural areas in simple houses and work in agriculture, growing bananas, cassava, coffee, or tea, for example. Cities offer rental apartments, markets, workshops, and offices. People often travel on foot, by bicycle, motorcycle taxi, or minibus. Family visits, football, music, and shared meals are common leisure activities in many places; there are marked differences between the capital, the lakeshore, and the mountain regions.