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Location:
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Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Geographic coordinates:
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2 00 S, 30 00 E
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total: 26,338 sq km
water: 1,390 sq km
land: 24,948 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Maryland
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Land boundaries:
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total: 893 km
border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked)
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked)
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Climate:
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temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
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Terrain:
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mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m
highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
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Natural resources:
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gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
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Land use:
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arable land: 32.43%
permanent crops: 10.13%
other: 57.44% (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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40 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural
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