Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total:
26,338 sq km
land:
24,948 sq km
water:
1,390 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total:
893 km
border countries:
Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Rusizi River 950 m
highest point:
Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
Land use:
arable land:
35%
permanent crops:
13%
permanent pastures:
18%
forests and woodland:
22%
other:
12% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Birunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Environment - current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked; predominantly rural population