Country Guide

This small country in central Africa is about the size of Wales or Israel and is densely populated. It lies between 2° and 4° S and is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west. It is a hilly and mountainous country, with its highest point rising to over 4,600 m/15,000 ft.

Climate and weather are similar to that found in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and southwestern Uganda. Rainfall is equatorial but temperatures are much reduced because of the altitude. The months June to September are predominantly dry but the rest of the year is moderately wet. By equatorial standards the climate is quite healthy and not unpleasant.

The climatic table for Bujumbura on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika is representative of the lower regions of the country. That for Rubona in Rwanda illustrates conditions in some of the higher areas. The mountains are much wetter with rather more cloud.