The Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its size is just under 28,000 km² with an estimated population of almost 8,700,000. Its capital is Bujumbura. Although the country is landlocked, much of the southwestern border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika.

 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.

 The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, and the president of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza

Image Courtesy of BBC News