The Geography of Burundi
Burundi consists largely of mountainous areas. Along the western border, part of the large East African fault pit (Great Rift Valley), with the Ruzizi river flowing south from Lake Kivu into Tanganyika, approx. 770 masl From here, the landscape rises steeply towards a narrow mountain range with altitudes of about 2500 m. The country’s highest mountain is Heha, 2670 meters above sea level. To the east of the chain lies a series of plateaus, 1500-2000 meters, which are separated from each other by east-facing steep edges with inclination eastward towards Tanzania. The country forms the watershed between the Nile and Congo river systems.
Climate
The climate is tropical, but moderated by the heights. The average temperature varies from approx. 23 ° C along Lake Tanganyika to 20 ° C on the plateaus and approx. 16 ° C on the highest mountain slopes. The annual rainfall amounts to about 1200 mm on the plateaus and over 1400 mm at the top of the foothills. It gradually decreases to approx. 750 mm at Lake Tanganyika. There are two rainy seasons, the longest from February to May.
Plant Life in Burundi
Almost all native vegetation, deciduous forests and tree savanna are gone. Most of the land is cultivated or used as pasture. There are some remnants of the tree saw, otherwise a secondary, man-made savanna has been developed, which is partly overgrazed. FAO reckons 6% of the land area is still tripled (2005), but with an annual deforestation rate of 5% in the period 2000-05 – among the highest in the world.
Wildlife in Burundi
The wildlife in Burundi is rich and varied. Of larger mammals should be mentioned elephant, hippopotamus, coffee buffalo, forest pigs and brush pigs. Antelopes include: kudu, water buck and script antelope. The primate fauna includes several half-monkeys (potto, galagos), maracats and colobus monkeys. Leopard and sneak cats (genets, afrikasivett and Mangust) characteristic predators.
The bird life is very rich, among other things. with many vultures, eagles, guinea fowl and frackins, icebergs, beards, hornbills, sunbirds and weavers. Snakes and lizards (including chameleons) are numerous in both the forest and the savannah. Crocodiles live in the waterways.
