|RNature and climate:|N Situated on a hilly highlandplateau at 1300 to 2000 m.a.s.l. Highest peak 2 670 m.a.s.l. Vegetation tropical in the lower parts and savannahlike in the mountains.
Average temperature in the mountains +15°C throughout the year and 24°C in the lower parts.
Percipitation between 800 and 1500 mm.
|RPeople:|N Hutu-tribe 85% and Tutsi 14%.
|REconomy:|N 90% of the population is occupied in agriculture and stockfarming, mainly as self-subsistent household. Coffee, cotton and tea are grown for export.
Manufacturing is concentrated on developing the agricultural products.
Gold, tin and nickel is extracted to some extend. The nickel resources are vast, but lack of capital and poor transportationfacilities stops extensive extraction.
|RHistory:|N Originally populated by Twa-pygmys that was subdued by the Hutu-tribe.
Tradition dates the foundation of the Burundi kingdom to the 16th century when the tall Tutsies immigrated and gained control over the Hutus.
In 1899 Burundi was incorporated in the German East Africa along with Rwanda. In 1919 it was transferred to Belgium and after World War II it was a UN trusteeship administrated by Belgium and from 1962 an independent state.
During the colonial period the domestic kings had some influence.
In 1964 the customs and monetary union with Rwanda was abandoned.
Severe tribal fights in 1965. In 1966 crownprince Charles deposed his father and crowned himself, but was himself deposed the same year and republic proclaimed.
1971 to 1972 new tribal wars saw more than 100 000 death victims.
Military coups in 1976 and 1987 has not improved the economic situation for the people.
