Burundi Flag

The national flag of Burundi was adopted on June 28, 1967

The national flag of Burundi was adopted on June 28, 1967 after the country's independence from Belgium on 1 July 1962. It consists of a white saltire which divides the field into alternating red and green areas. The center of the saltire merges into a white disk on which there are three red solid six-pointed stars outlined in green. The ratio of the flag was 2:3 until September 27, 1982. The current ratio is 3:5.

Burundi covers 27,834km² with an estimated population of almost 8.7 million. Although the country is landlocked much of the south-western border is adjacent to Lake Tanganyika one of the deepest lakes in the world.

Burundi is one of the ten least developed countries in the world and it has the lowest per capita GDP of any nation in the world. Burundi's low GDP rate is due primarily to civil wars corruption poor access to education political instability and the consequences of HIV/AIDS. Cobalt and copper are among the nation's natural resources. Other resources include coffee sugar and tea.

Burundi is an off the beaten path destination for most visitors to East Africa and one should consider the cost/benefit calculation before travelling to this friendly if limited in options destination. Travelling outside the capital of Bujumbura at all or even within the city after nightfall comes with considerable risk. A jovial time can be had here for a price, and with an understanding of French you will have a better chance of enjoying your time here. Plan ahead to avoid risks of malaria and drink plenty of water. As of March 2014, the nation is still recovering from catastrophic flooding and is embroiled in a conflict over if and when the next elections will be held.