Geography

Area

Climate

equatorial; a high plateau featuring significant elevation differences ranging from 772 m to 2,670 m above sea level; the average yearly temperature fluctuates with altitude between 23 and 17 degrees Celsius, yet remains generally temperate; the annual average precipitation is approximately 150 cm, with two wet seasons occurring from February to May and September to November, alongside two dry seasons from June to August and December to January

Terrain

characterized by hilly and mountainous terrain, descending to a plateau in the east, alongside some plains

Land use

Location

located in Central Africa, to the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the west of Tanzania

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

Irrigated land

230 sq km (2012)

Map references

Africa

Land boundaries

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

subject to flooding; landslides; and drought

Geography - note

landlocked; positioned over the crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera River, which flows into Lake Victoria, is the farthest headstream of the White Nile

Natural resources

resources include nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, and limestone

Area - comparative

slightly less extensive than the state of Maryland

Geographic coordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Population distribution

one of the most densely populated nations in Africa; population concentrations are primarily found in the northern region and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; the majority of inhabitants reside on farms situated near fertile volcanic soil, as illustrated in this population distribution map

Major lakes (area sq km)

Major watersheds (area sq km)