In this post, we’ll take a look at the provinces in Burundi as well as some basic information about each, such as population data, total area and capital.
HISTORY
Burundi’s provinces and communes were created on Christmas Day in 1959 by a Belgian colonial decree. They replaced the pre-existing system of chieftains.
In 2000, the province encompassing Bujumbura was separated into two provinces, Bujumbura Rural and Bujumbura Mairie. The newest province, Rumonge, was created on 26 March 2015 from portions of Bujumbura Rural and Bururi.
Read: POLITICAL HISTORY OF BURUNDI
In July 2022, the government of Burundi announced a complete overhaul of the country’s territorial subdivisions. The proposed change would reduce the amounts of provinces from 18 to 5, and reduce the number of communes from 119 to 42. The change needs the approval of the National Assembly and the Senate to take effect.
PROVINCES OF BURUNDI
Burundi is administratively divided into 18 administrative divisions. These administrative regions are referred to as province. These provinces in Burundi have the name of the cities which are the administrative center except Bujumbura Rural. The newest province, Rumonge, was created on March 26, 2015. The province of Rumonge was previously included in the provinces of Bujumbura Rural and Bururi.
EIGHTEEN PROVINCES OF BURUNDI
Burundi is divided into eighteen provinces, the highest administrative division. These provinces are Cankuzo, Gitega, Rutana, Ruyigi, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga, Ngozi, Bururi, Makamba, Rumonge, Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke, Muramvya, and Mwaro.
Cankuzo
Cankuzo province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The administrative center of the province, located in the east of the country, is the city of Cankuzo. Its surface area is 1,964 square kilometers and the official population of 2008 is 228,873. The estimated population of 2010 is calculated as 235,355.
Gitega
Gitega is one of eighteen provinces of Burundi. Its capital is Gitega, the national capital. As of 2008, it has a population of 725,263 and an area of 1,979 square kilometers. The province of Gitega is located in the central part of the country.
Rutana
The province of Rutana is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the southeast of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 333,510. The province, which has a surface area of 1,959 square kilometers, is divided into six sub-administrative divisions. Rutana is the capital of the province.
Ruyigi
Ruyigi Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the east of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 400,530. The province is divided into seven sub-administrative divisions with a surface area of 2,338 square kilometers. The capital of the province is Ruyigi.
Karuzi
The province of Karuzi is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the northeast of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 436,443. The area is divided into seven sub-administrative sections with a surface area of 1,457 square kilometers. The capital of the province is Karuzi.
Kayanza
Kayanza Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the north of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 585,412. The province has an area of 1,233 square kilometers and is divided into nine sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Kayanza.
Kirundo
The province of Kirundo is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the northernmost part of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 628,256. The area is divided into seven sub-administrative divisions with a surface area of 1,703 square kilometers. The capital of the province is Kirundo.
Muyinga
The province of Muyinga is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the northeast of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 632,409. The area is 1,836 square kilometers and is divided into seven sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Muyinga.
Ngozi
Ngozi Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the north of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 660,717. The land area of 1.473 square kilometers is divided into nine sub-administrative divisions. Ngozi is the capital of the province.
Bururi
Bururi is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the south of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 313,102. The province is divided into six sub-administrative sections with a surface area of 1,644 square kilometers. The capital of the province is Bururi.
Makamba
The province of Makamba is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the southernmost part of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 430,899. The province, which has a surface area of 1,959 square kilometers, is divided into six sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Makamba.
Rumonge
The Province of Rumonge is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the southwest of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 352,026. The area is 1,079 square kilometers and is divided into five sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Rumonge.
Bubanza
Bubanza Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the northwest of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 338,023. The area is 1,089 square kilometers and is divided into five sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Bubanza.
Bujumbura Mairie
The Bujumbura Mairie Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the west of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 497,166. The province, which is 86 km2, is divided into thirteen sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Bujumbura Mairie.
Bujumbura Rural
The Bujumbura Rural Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the west of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 464,818. The land area of 1,059 square kilometers is divided into nine sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Isale.
Cibitoke
The Province of Cibitoke is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the northwest of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 460,435. The province is divided into six sub-administrative areas with a surface area of 1,635 square kilometers. The capital of the province is Bujumbura Cibitoke.
Muramvya
Muramvya Province is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the middle of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 292,589. The area is 695 square kilometers and is divided into five sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Bujumbura Muramvya.
Mwaro
The province of Mwaro is one of the eighteen provinces of Burundi. The province is located in the middle of the country. As of 2008, it has a population of 273,143. The province, which has an area of 839 square kilometers, is divided into six sub-administrative divisions. The capital of the province is Bujumbura Mwaro.