| Burundi is a landlocked
independent state which borders with Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo,
thus forming part of the Central African Region. The capital
city is Bujumbura. Other major towns are Makamba and Rumonge.
The official languages of Burundi are
Ki-Rundi and French. The local currency is the Burundi franc. The
country is densely populated, Hutus and Tutsis are the two main ethnic
groups.
The major agricultural resources are
coffee and tea, yet the country is rich also of natural resources such
as alluvial gold, nickel, phosphates, rare earth, vanadium, and peat.
The oil industry has growing importance,
and it accounts for 15% of its imports. The environment and the
countryside are unspoiled, making Burundi a desirable tourist
destination.
The constitution enshrines
ethnically-based power-sharing, between the ethnic Hutu majority and the ethnic
Tutsi minority. The constitution foresees that at least 30% of
government ministers must be women. President Pierre Nkurunziza's government
is in power since November 2005.
The
president is elected by the people of Burundi, and he nominates two
vice-presidents, who form with the Council of Ministers the executive
branch.
The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) and the Senate (Sénat) are elected for a five-year term.
The armed forces and the police
comprise both Tutsis and Hutus since 2005.
The country is undergoing a
successful process of reconciliation after the long civil war ended in 2003.
Travel and
tourism in Burundi are slowly
improving
African crowned
crane
Apart from its wonderful nature,
you find several museums, such as the Burundi Geological Museum
in the capital Bujumbura and the Burundi National Museum and the
Burundi Museum of Life in the city of Gitega. You also have the
University of Burundi.
Infrastructure in Burundi is
still being developed, and thus transportation and
accommodations for tourists are
scarce. The authorities
plan consistent improvements to
the infrastructure, through private
and public investment.
|
Burundi is divided in 17 provinces, subdivided into
arrondissements and communes.
TOURISM IN
BURUNDI
Royal drummers of Burundi
Burundi has many exceptional
natural attractions that are
becoming a key focus of its
newborn travel industry and of
its tourist resources.
Scenic lakes, mountains, wild animals,
fairy-tale villages and
communities are magnets for
prospective eco-tourists.
You find many
wildlife and nature
preserves, and the
town of Rutana is
endowed with a
monument to the
source of the Nile
River.
However, eco-tourism accounts
for a small part of the travel
industry, and the majority of
travel agencies and high-end
hotels offer safaris and
traditional tours
in the National Parks. It is hoped that
eco-tourism will be given more
attention by the authorities,
basing it on local communities
which rely on the natural
environment to sustain
themselves. In turn local communities
shall become the foundation
to sustain the travel industry
and to preserve the environment,
while bringing visitors and
revenues to the beautiful country.
|
