Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
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 lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite
(tungsten ore), natural gas, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 29%
permanent crops: 11%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 10%
other: 32%
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of
trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion
natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains
are in the northwest along the border with Zaire
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear
Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; predominantly rural population
People ———