Welcome to Burundi, a small, mountainous country tucked into the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. There are around 14 million people living here. While Bujumbura is the largest city and sits right on the edge of a massive lake, the political capital is Gitega, located right in the center of the country. The official languages are Kirundi, French, and English.

Burundi covers about 27,834 square kilometers, or 10,747 square miles. To imagine its size, the country is roughly the same size as the island of Sicily in Italy, or about the same size as the state of Maryland in the U.S. Because of its many green hills and mountains, it is often called the “Heart of Africa.”

The most popular sport is Football, but Burundi is also famous for its world-class long-distance runners. Their national animal is the Lion, a symbol of strength that has appeared on their national emblems for a long time.

The flag features a white saltire (an X-shape) that divides it into four areas of red and green, with a white circle in the center containing three red stars that represent the three main ethnic groups of the country and the national motto: Unity, Work, and Progress.

The food is healthy and relies on the country’s rich volcanic soil. The national dish is often Buko, which is made from beans and corn, or Fried Plantains served with fresh fish from the lake. Since Burundi is one of the world’s top producers of Coffee, you will find that the local beans make a very delicious and aromatic drink.

Burundi is home to the Royal Drummers of Burundi, who perform a high-energy show where they balance giant, heavy drums on their heads while dancing and jumping! The country borders Lake Tanganyika, which is the second-deepest lake in the entire world and is so large that it looks like an ocean with its own waves and sandy beaches. Deep in the forest, you can find the Source of the Nile, which many people believe is the very furthest point where the famous Nile River begins its long journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Another interesting thing is that because the land is so hilly, farmers build terraces into the mountainsides, making the whole landscape look like a giant green staircase.

From the thunderous sound of the royal drums to the sunset over the great lake, Burundi is a land of hills and rhythm. Murakoze! That means “Thank you!”