Burundi Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central Africa.

Area
27,816 sq km (10,740 sq miles).

Population
7.3 million (2005).

Population Density
262.4 per sq km.

Capital
Bujumbura.
Population: 200,000 (2005).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966.

Language
The official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.

Religion
77% of the population are Christian, the majority of which are Roman Catholic; there are Anglican and Pentecostal minorities. 22% adhere to animist beliefs. There is also a small (1%) Muslim community.

Time
GMT + 3.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of State
President Pierre Nkurunziza since 2005.

Telephone
Country code: 257.

Mobile Telephone
Coverage mainly in the west of the country.

Internet
Available in some areas. There are a few Internet cafes in Bujumbura.

Media
Burundi’s media are self-censored and also receive occasional government censorship. Nevertheless, a range of political views are sometimes aired. There is a high turnover rate for newspapers. The sale of newspapers is quite low due to small print runs and low levels of literacy. The main source of information for many Burundians is therefore the radio. The only radio station with national coverage is government-owned, as is Burundi’s only TV station.


Post
Post office hours: The main office in Bujumbura is open Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1200.

Press
• No English-language newspapers are published.
• Most publications are in French (such as Le Renouveau du Burundi) or local languages (such as Ubumwe in Kirundi).
• The two main newspapers are government-controlled.

Radio
• Radio Burundi is government-controlled (by RTNB), and also operates an educational network.
• Radio Isanganiro and Radio Publique Africaine are private (although the latter receives some UN and overseas funding).
• Radio CCIB+ is operated by the Burundi Chamber of Commerce.
• Other radio broadcasters in operation with the aid of funding include Bonesha FM (funded by international organizations with the intention of promoting reconciliation) and Radio Culture (partly funded by the health ministry).

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
12 Mar Labor Day.
17 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
12 Mar Labor Day.
1 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore’s Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye’s Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Office National du Tourisme
2 avenue des Euphorbes, BP 902, Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: 222 023 or 229 390.

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in Belgium
46 square Marie-Louise, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (2) 230 4535.

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in the USA
Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 342 2574.
Website: www.burundiembassy-usa.org


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