Bujumbura facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bujumbura
Top: Bujumbura skyline; Middle: Monument to Independence Heroes, Downtown Bujumbura; Regina Mundi Cathedral, Beach at Lake Tanganyika
Nickname(s):  /ˌbʊdʒəmˈbʊrə/, /ˌbʊˈdʒʊmbʊrə/
Bujumbura Location in Burundi
Country	Burundi
Province	Bujumbura Mairie Province
Founded	1871
Area
• Urban	127 km2 (49 sq mi)
Elevation	774 m (2,539 ft)
Population  (2023)
• City	374,809
• Urban	1,143,202
• Urban density	9,000/km2 (23,310/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
Climate	Aw

Bujumbura (also called Usumbura in the past) is a very important city in Burundi. It's the country's economic capital, its biggest city, and its main port. Most of Burundi's main export, coffee, is shipped from here. Other important goods like cotton and tin ore also pass through its port.

Bujumbura used to be the political capital of Burundi. However, in 2018, the president announced that Gitega would become the political capital again. Bujumbura remains the center for business and trade. This change became official in January 2019.

A Look Back at Bujumbura's History

Bujumbura started as a small village. It became a military post for German East Africa in 1889. After World War I, it was managed by Belgium as part of Ruanda-Urundi.

When Burundi became independent in 1962, the city's name changed from Usumbura to Bujumbura. Since then, Bujumbura has faced some challenges in its history.

Where is Bujumbura?

Lake Tanganyika

Bujumbura is located on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. This lake is the second deepest lake in the world, right after Lake Baikal.

The city is also found where the Ruzizi River flows into the lake. Smaller rivers like the Mutimbuzi, Ntahangwa, Muha, and Kanyosha also run through the area.

Bujumbura's Weather

Bujumbura has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has clear wet and dry seasons. The wet season usually lasts from October to April.

Because it's close to the equator, the temperatures in Bujumbura don't change much throughout the year. The average high temperature is around 29°C (84°F), and the low is about 19°C (66°F).

How Bujumbura is Governed

Bujumbura panorama

Bujumbura is managed by a community council and an administrator. The city is divided into three main areas called communes. Each commune has its own council and leader.

These three communes were created in 2014 from 13 older, smaller communes. These smaller areas are now called sub-communes or neighborhoods.

• Commune of Muha
• Commune of Mukaza
• Commune of Ntahangwa

Bujumbura's Economy and Trade

View of Bujumbura Market

The Port of Bujumbura is the biggest port on Lake Tanganyika. Burundi relies on its neighbors to reach the ocean for trade. Goods can travel by road through Rwanda, or by lake and then by road or train through Tanzania, Congo, or Zambia.

About 80% of Burundi's trade with other countries goes through these routes, using the Port of Bujumbura. The port handles both goods coming into the country (imports) and goods leaving (exports). In 2011, most of the cargo handled was imports, with about 60% arriving by ship and 40% by truck.

The Bujumbura Central Market used to be a very busy place in the city center. However, a big fire in January 2013 badly damaged the market. This was a big loss for many local and foreign sellers.

Sports and Fun in Bujumbura

Downtown Bujumbura

Bujumbura is home to the Intwari stadium. This is a large stadium mainly used for football (soccer) games. It's the biggest stadium in Burundi, with 22,000 seats.

The city also has many courts for basketball and tennis. You can also find lots of swimming pools, both indoors and outdoors.

Learning in Bujumbura

View of the university's buildings in Bujumbura

Bujumbura is a major center for education in Burundi. It has the main University of Burundi. There are also many other universities and colleges, such as Hope Africa University and Université du Lac Tanganyika.

Several international schools are also located in Bujumbura. These include the École Belge de Bujumbura (Belgian school), École Française de Bujumbura (French school), and King's School (British school).

Getting Around Bujumbura

Bujumbura International Airport

The Bujumbura International Airport is just outside the city. It's the main airport for people traveling to and from Bujumbura.

For getting around the city, public transport mainly uses taxis and mini-buses, which locals call "Hiace." These vehicles are usually white and blue. Taxis are common and are considered a safe way to travel. You can also find motorcycle taxis (taxi-motos) and bicycle taxis (taxis-vélos) in some areas.

The Bujumbura bus station

For longer trips across Burundi, many people use the large Hiace vans. Bujumbura's main bus station is located near the Central Market.

Places to Worship

Regina Mundi Cathedral

Bujumbura has many places of worship. You'll find mostly Christian churches, like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bujumbura and churches from the Anglican Communion. There are also Muslim mosques in the city.

Culture and Attractions

Bujumbura has many interesting places to visit. These include museums, parks, and monuments. Some museums in the city are the Burundi Museum of Life and the Burundi Geological Museum.

Other fun places nearby include the Rusizi National Park. You can also visit the Livingstone-Stanley Monument, Burundi, at Mugere. This is where famous explorers David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley visited after their first meeting. Another interesting spot is the place locally known as the source of the southernmost tributary of the Nile River.

Bujumbura was also home to a radio show called Imagine Burundi. This was the first English-language radio program made in the country. It shared stories about life in the region.

How Many People Live Here?

Bujumbura is expected to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa between 2020 and 2025. Its population is growing quickly, by about 5.75% each year.

Sister Cities Around the World

Bujumbura is connected to other cities around the world through a program called twinning. It is twinned with:

• Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
• Corigliano Calabro, Italy

Images for kids

• 

  A beach in Bujumbura on the north side of Lake Tanganyika

See also

In Spanish: Buyumbura para niños