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Obviously located in the middle of Africa based on its matter-of-fact name, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC features several major waterfalls and river rapids. These include Les Chutes de Boali (Boali Waterfalls, pictured above), Les Chutes de Ngolo (Ngolo Waterfalls), Les Chutes de Touboutou (Touboutou Waterfalls), and Les Rapides de l'Éléphant (Elephant Rapids). Located near the city of Carnot, Touboutou Falls straddle the Mambéré River in western Central African Republic. 300 kilometers to the east, the Elephant Rapids rage along the Oubangui River and Democratic Republic of the Congo's border. Residents of Bangui — the country's national capital — can travel 50 kilometers northeast to enjoy the sight of these rapids. The Boali Waterfalls are part of another scenic paradise near Bangui. Ngolo Waterfalls are found on the Kotto River, near Hyrra Banda in the country's southeastern portion.
While the UNESCO World Heritage List aims to protect and appreciate thousands of cultural and environmental places around the world, multiple countries unfortunately are not represented on that list. One of these countries is LIBERIA, a coastal West African nation known for being settled by freed African-American slaves in the 1800s and declaring independence in 1847. Liberia boasts plenty of virgin forests, which are beneficial for native tribes to have shelter, food, and medicinal remedies. UNESCO should want to help protect the biodiversity, cultural traditions, and ways of life occurring in Liberian forests. Several relatively small forested areas are protected in natural parks and preserves, the sorts of natural sites which are typically eligible for UNESCO's goal to protect the environment. Lofa-Mano National Park (northwestern Liberia, near Sierra Leone), Nimba Nature Preserve (in the north, near Ivory Coast and Guinea), and Sapo National Park (southeast) are all fitting places for UNESCO's Heritage List. Remarkable natural features in Liberia include Kpatawee Waterfall, Lake Piso, and Providence Island. A large immigration of freed American slaves first occurred on Providence Island, in 1822.
Kpatawee Waterfall(s) in north-central Liberia
The Liberian capital city — Monrovia — boasts several cultural, societal, and historical sites that are worthy of UNESCO's protection — some of which should ideally be renovated. They include the Centennial Pavilion, Executive Mansion, and the historic but run-down Grand Masonic Lodge. Named after American abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman, the war-ravaged Tubman Center of African Culture sits in a ruined and emptied state in Robertsport (western Liberia) — but it surely has reinvigorated potential. The Episcopal Missionary Church is a Robertsport site still in use while many buildings in the city remain abandoned. Keeping these and other places in mind, it is astounding why UNESCO have not included Liberia on their comprehensive Heritage List. Fortunately, Providence Island will soon likely achieve Heritage Status, so Liberia may finally have a dot on UNESCO's map.
The National Geographic Photo of the Day for October 12th, titled Cold Rush, features a magnanimous misty beauty known as the Golden Falls (Gullfoss). This system of waterfalls is found along the Ölfusá river in southwestern ICELAND.
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The A to Z categories are based on the English language and inadvertently might not include all native country names.
Neighbors in both the alphabet and geography, ZAMBIA and ZIMBABWE are located in Southern Africa. Both countries share the famous Victoria Falls, which lie on their borders along the Zambezi River. The magnificent waterfalls are located south of Livingstone, Zambia and east of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
ZHŌNGGUÓ (China) could be considered as an additional Z country. This country is also featured in the C Countries post.
GeoFact of the Day Blog Post Links
Zambia — Zimbabwe — Zhōngguó
I bet you knew about Victoria Falls, a spectacular destination along the Zambezi River on the border of ZAMBIA and Zimbabwe. Did you also know that Zambia, situated in South-Central Africa, boasts quite a lot of waterfalls? The Chavuma Falls are located near Angola in northwest Zambia, and you would find the Ngonye Falls 200 miles south. Travel even more south (before reaching the Caprivi Strip of Namibia), and you find the Kasanga Falls. All three straddle the Zambezi River. Falls in northern Zambia include Chisimba Falls (near the city of Kasama, along the Lukulu River), Mambilima (Johnston) Falls, and Mumbotuta Falls. Both of the aforementioned 'M' falls are situated on the Luapula River, which borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Lumangwe Falls is the northernmost waterfall that I have mentioned. It is found along the Kalungwishi River, east of Lusenga National Park, and southeast of Lake Mweru.
Map Credit: © Maps of the World (mapsofworld.com)
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Officially named the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela), VENEZUELA is a Spanish-speaking country situated in northern South America, south of the Caribbean Sea. Bordering countries are Brazil located south and southeast of Venezuela, Colombia to the west, and Guyana to the east. The island country Trinidad and Tobago, islands belonging to the Netherlands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), and smaller islands are located north of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelans annually celebrated Independence Day since July 5th in 1811, when the nation declared independence from Spain.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● The capital of Venezuela is Caracas, which has a population around 2,100,000. Other large cities in Venezuela include Ciudad Guayana, Maracaibo, Mérida, San Cristóbal, and Valencia. For their currency, Venezuelans use the Venezuelan Bolívar. The ISO 4217 currency code is VEF. Indigenous Indian groups in Venezuela, including but not certainly not limited to Baniwa, Barí, Warao, Wayuu, and Yaruro tribes, speak about 25 languages. They typically inhabit western and southern Venezuela, especially the provinces of Zulia (west) and Amazonas (south). Spanish is the national and official language, while English has become the second most spoken language. Religion-wise, most Venezuelans are Roman Catholics while indigenous people continue worshipping their own religions and beliefs.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Venezuela has some neat land geography facts. Standing at almost 980 meters and over 3,000 feet in the Bolívar state of southeastern Venezuela, the world-renown Angels Falls is the tallest waterfall with no interruptions. Lake Maracaibo in northwestern Venezuela is generally considered a lake even though it is technically a bay. The northernmost land-connected extension of Venezuela, the Paraguaná Peninsula features the Paraguaná Refinery Complex. This refinery facility is one of the largest oil refineries in the world. Another major peninsula of Venezuela jutting out into the Caribbean Sea is Paria Peninsula, also known as Peninsula de Paria ↗ (blog post link). This peninsula is about 1,000 kilometers east of Paraguaná Peninsula and just west of Trinidad and Tobago. The Andes Mountains (Cordillera de los Andes in Spanish) stretch from southwest to northeast across western Venezuela. Pico Bolívar is Venezuela's highest peak, standing tall at over 5,000 meters and over 16,400 feet.
Officially known as the Republic of Zimbabwe, ZIMBABWE is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe borders five countries: Botswana located to the southwest, Mozambique to the east, South Africa to the south, and Zambia to the north. Zimbabwe almost borders Namibia to the west. Along the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, the country possesses part of Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River, and the magnificent Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe’s former currency was the Zimbabwean Dollar, which had an ISO currency code of ZWL. Due to hyperinflation, Zimbabweans were and still are using other currencies to complete transactions. In June 2015, the Central Bank officially withdrew the currency from circulation. Zimbabwe is the world’s last country in alphabetical order!
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Over 11.652 million residents live in Zimbabwe, while 1,190,000 urbanites live in the national capital: Harare. Other major cities include Bulawayo (population: 622,000), Chitungwiza (275,000), Gweru (125,000), Hwange, Masvingo, Mutare (132,000), and Shurugwi. While Zambia is known for its diverse variety of ethnic groups, Zimbabwe is predominantly shared between Shona (over 80%) people, Ndebele (14%) people, and several other minority groups. About twenty-one major languages are used for communication — including two (Barwe and Tsoa) that are facing a threatened existence in the future. Languages include Chichewa, Dombe, Kalanga, Kunda, Lozi, Manyika, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shona, Tonga, Tswana, and Venda. Zimbabwe's literacy rate is relatively high (84%) in Africa. About 70% of religious Zimbabweans are Christians and 0.75% are Muslims. About 30% of Zimbabweans adhere to native beliefs and customs.
Great Zimbabwe (southeast Zimbabwe) and Dhlo-Dhlo (south-central Zimbabwe) are two ancient Shona civilization sites with still-standing stone walls and towers. Standing about 10.05 meters and 33 feet tall in Great Zimbabwe, the prominent conical tower is attached to walls of the Great Enclosure — known as the largest pre-colonial structure in Sub-Saharan Africa. Another ancient site and tourist attraction is located at Khami, a current UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient capital of the Kingdom of Butua — organized by the ancestors of Kalanga (Shona-related) people. Zimbabwe’s national parks include Chewore Game Preserve (north), Chizarira NP (northwest), Gonarezhou NP (southeast), Hwange NP (west), Kazuma Pan (west), Mana Pools NP (north), Matabo NP (southwest), Matusadona NP (NW), Mtarazi Falls NP (east), and Zambezi NP (Zimbabwe’s western tip).
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Zimbabwe’s major waterfalls are on opposite sides of the country. People can find the Mtarazi Falls and Pungwe Falls in eastern Zimbabwe, while tourists would want to visit western Zimbabwe to witness the world-famous Victoria Falls. There’s more than waterfalls in Zimbabwe! Non-water land features include the northern Chinhoyi Caves, northwestern Chizarira Hills, central Mafungabusi Plateau, southern Mateke Hills, eastern Mavuradonha Mountains (near NW Mozambique), and northern Zambezi Escarpment. The Chinhoyi Caves are located about 150 kilometers northwest of Harare, while the Zambezi Escarpment is further north and runs westward into Zambia. Located in eastern Zimbabwe near Mozambique, Mount Nyangani is Zimbabwe's highest peak and stands 2,592 meters and 8,504 feet in elevation. Nyangani is comprised of harder dolerite and softer sandstone.
This post was updated with more information in September 2016. GeoFact of the Day’s map of Zimbabwe was designed in December 2022.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Based on the GeoFact of the Day Blog’s 2016 estimate, Zambia’s total population is approximately 12,060,000 and growing. Located in south-central Zambia less than 100 kilometers away from Zimbabwe, the capital and most-populated city is Lusaka with about 982,000 residents. Other Zambian cities include Chingola (170,000), Choma, Kabwe (population: 168,000), Kasama, Kitwe (247,000), Livingstone, Lundazi, Mbala, Ndola (377,000), Serenje, and Zambezi.
Zambians culturally identify themselves in over 70 ethnic groups of people — including the Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Ngoni, and Tonga ethnicities. While English is used as an official language by some citizens and for government purposes, Zambians speak about 70 native ethnic languages, many of which correspond to the namesake ethnic tribe. Major native languages include Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga. At least one-half of religious citizens are Christian, while one-fourth of people are Hindu and Muslim adherents.
Protected and publically accessible national parks are scattered throughout the country. Parks in the northeastern “panhandle” include Isangano NP, Kasanka NP, Lavushi-Manda NP, Luangwa NP (split into north and south sections), Lukusuzi NP, Lusenga NP, Mweru-Wantipa NP, and Nsumbu NP. Other national parks include Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar national parks (south-central Zambia), the large Kafue NP (west-central Zambia), Liuwa Plain NP (west), Lower Zambezi NP (southeast), Sioma Ngwezi NP (southwest), and West Lunga NP (northwest).
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Aquatic and physical features in northern and eastern Zambia include the Bangweulu Swamp, Chisimba Falls, Johnston Falls, Lake Bangweulu with Mbabala island, Lake Mweru with Kilwa island, Muchinga Mountains, and Sunzu mountain (elevation: 2,067 meters). Zambians and tourists alike enjoy dramatic cliff views of the Wonder Gorge, located in east-central Zambia along the Lusemfwa River. About 150 kilometers west lies the Lukanga Swamp, home to various endangered species and undoubtedly many pesky mosquitoes! Kuyamba Hills are northwest of the swamp, while the Mufulwe Hills are northeast of Wonder Gorge.
What is the highest point in Zambia, you might (or might not) ask? Well, the answer is unfortunately not 100% clear. On the border between eastern Zambia and western Malawi, Mwanda Peak (elevation: about 2,150 meters, 7,050 feet) is known as the Zambia border's highest point. Near the town of Mkushi in north-central Zambia, Mount Mumpu (1,950 meters, 6,400 feet) is known as the country's highest free-standing mountain. Interestingly, one of the routes up Mt. Mumpu traverses through one of Southern Africa's largest bat caves. Ultimately, though, the highest point designation likely belongs to Mafinga Central (according to Peakbagger.com and other sources) — boasting an elevation of 2,339 meters and 7,674 feet. Could there be an even higher point in Zambia somewhere? That could be a mystery yearning to be solved!
The ridge-like Zambezi Escarpment protrudes from southern Zambia into northern Zimbabwe. Its location is north of Lake Kariba, which stretches along the southern border with Zimbabwe. West and east of Lake Kariba, the Zambezi River stretches completely along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Before reaching southern Zambia, Zambezi begins in eastern Angola (location of its headwaters), then flows southward past the town of Zambezi and eventually reaches the borders of Namibia and then Zimbabwe. Arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Zambia, the Victoria Falls are along the Zambezi river in southwestern Zambia, near Zimbabwe’s western tip (see map). Other waterfalls are highlighted in the GeoFact of the Day Blog’s Waterfalls of Zambia post (↗).
This post was comprehensively updated on August 25th, 2016.
The map of Zambia was added on June 18th, 2017.
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Aptly located in the center of Africa, the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (French: La République Centrafricaine, or Centrafrique) achieved independence from France in 1960. There are 6 bordering countries: Cameroon located to the west, Chad to the north, Republic of the Congo to the southwest, Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, South Sudan to the east, and Sudan to the northeast. The C.A.R. experiences a tropical climate in which winters are dry and hot, while summers are wet and mild or hot. Northeastern regions are typically arid, contrasting the humid tropical rainforests in the southwest. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF. Some of the country’s exports for global trade ↗ include diamonds, gold (small amount), petroleum (small amount), timber, and various crops. Speaking of crops, principal crops grown in the Central African Republic include bananas, cassava (manioc), coffee, corn (maize), cotton, diamonds, millet, tobacco, and yams.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, the C.A.R.’s population in the year 2020 is about 4,830,000 and is ranked 123rd among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Major cities of the Central African Republic include the national capital, Bangui, as well as Bambari, Bangassou, Berbérati, Bimo, Bossangoa, Bouar, Bozoum, Bria, Carnot, Kaga Bandoro, Mbaïki, and Nola. Visiting the C.A.R. is not recommended and strongly discouraged due to unfortunate conflicts and violence. Since traveling in the C.A.R. is risky and downright dangerous, it would be better to explore the country virtually and not in person. There are wonderful photographs and details about megalithic stone monuments near Bouar, national parks and reserves (listed below), and various waterfalls (also listed below). Designated due to natural importance, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the C.A.R. are the Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park and Sangha Trinational Park.
The Central African Republic’s official language is French, while Sangho (Sango) is a Ngbandi-based Creole language and is known as a national language. As of 2023, over 80 ethnic indigenous languages are used for communication in the Central African Republic. Examples of these languages are Aka (Yaka), Ali, Arabic, Banda dialects, Birri, Bodo, Bofi, Bokoto, Buraka, Chadian Arabic, Dagba, Dendi, Fulah, Fulfulde Bagirmi, Furu, Ganzi, Gbanu, Gbanziri, Gbaya, Gbaya-Bozoum, Gbayi, Geme, Gula, Gundi, Kaba, Kaba Na, Kako, Kara, Kare, Kpagua, Kpatili, Laka, Langbashe, Lingala, Lutos, Manza, Mbangi, Mbati, Mbay, Mbum, Monzombo, Mpiemo, Ngam, Ngando, Ngbaka (Ngbaka Ma’bo, Ngbaka Manza, etc.), Ngombe, Nzakara, Pana, Pande, Runga, Sango, Sango Riverain, Sara Kaba, Suma, Togbo-Vara Banda, Ukhwejo, Vale, Yakoma, Yulu, and Zande. The C.A.R. is comprised of over 80 ethnic groups, some of which correspond with their namesake languages listed above. Ethnic groups include the Baya (33% of the total population), Banda (25%), Mandjia (13%), Sara (10%), Mboum (7%), M’Baka (4%), Yakoma (4%), Ba’Aka pygmy people, and Ngbandi. About 65% of Central African citizens are believers in Christianity, followed by animist and ethnic beliefs (19%), Islam (14%), and Bahá’í (0.23%).
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ● The nation’s highest point is Mont Ngaoui which stands at an elevation of 4,659 feet and 1,420 meters on the border with Cameroon — northwest of the city of Bouar. The majority topography of the C.A.R. is not mountains but rather rolling plateaus with an average altitude of 600 meters and 2,000 feet. Vast savanna land and rainforests are typical landscapes of the C.A.R. Some rivers drain south to the mighty Congo river, while others flow north toward Lake Chad. Some of the dozens of rivers and tributaries winding throughout the country include the Bahr Aouk, Bamingui, Bomu (Mbomou), Chinko, Goro, Kadéï, Kameur, Kotto, Lobaye, Mambéré, Mbari, Ouaka, Ouandjia, Oubangui, Ouham, and Uele. Boali, Elephant Rapids, Mbeko, Mbi, Ngolo, and Touboutou are notable and picturesque waterfalls. Northern Central African Republic contains an assortment of national parks and reserves — many of them having hyphenated names — including Aouk-Aoukale, Bamingui-Bangoran, Gribingui-Bamingui, Konkourou-Bamingui, Nana Barya, Ouandja-Vakaga, Saint-Floris, Vassako-Bolo, and Yata-Ngaya. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve both sit south of the city of Nola in the extreme southern tip of the country, while Zémongo National Park preserves land in the east near South Sudan.
This post was updated with more information in January 2024. GeoFact of the Day’s map of the Central African Republic was designed in August 2020.
Officially known as the République du Cameroun in French, CAMEROON is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. Cameroon is home to over 24 million residents in 2017. There are 6 bordering countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo. The capital is Yaoundé. Cameroon features a diverse climate, varying from a semiarid north to the tropical coastal and southern regions. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF. Some of the country’s exports for global trade ↗ include aluminum, bauxite, cassava (manioc), cocoa beans, coffee, cotton, crude oil and petroleum products, grain, iron ore, lumber, oilseeds, okra, rubber, and textiles. Principal crops grown in Cameroon include bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, oilseed, root starches, and various types of grain.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Cameroon’s population in the year 2020 is about 24,918,000 and is ranked 56th among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Highlighted and labeled on the map below, Cameroon’s major cities include Bafoussam, Bamenda, Bertoua, Douala, Ebolowa, Edea, Garoua, Kousséri, Kumba, Loum, Maroua, Meiganga, Mokolo, Ngaoundéré, Nkongsamba, Yagoua, and Yaoundé (national capital). While major cities are labeled on the major cities map, smaller communities with population data are displayed on this map with light orange dots. For example, Ekundukundu — located beside the border with Nigeria in southwestern Cameroon — had only 221 residents in the year 2005.
Notable places and sites of interest all across the country include the Adamawa Plateau in central Cameroon near the towns of Belel and Martap; Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls in the southwest near Akom (on map) and Kribi (not on map); la Dent de Mindif (Mindif Tooth) rocky peak near the communities of Gadjia, Maroua, and Mindif; Espace Doual'art art gallery in Douala; Marché Central (Central Market) and Musée National (National Museum) in Yaoundé; Palais Royal (Royal Palace) in Foumban; and several beaches along the Atlantic coast. Two Cameroonian places of environmental importance are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Dja Faunal Reserve and Sangha Trinational conservation preserve.
As of 2023, over 250 languages belonging to 24 language groups are used for communication in Cameroon. English and French are Cameroon’s official languages. Other languages include but are definitely not limited to Aghem, Akoose, Ambele, Bafia, Bafut, Bakaka, Bakoko, Bamum, Bassa, Bulu, Chadian Arabic, Duala, Eton, Ewondo, Fe’fe’, Fulfulde, Ghomala, Kako, Kom, Mafa, Medumba, Meta’, Ngiemboon, Nso’, Oroko, Psikye, Toupouri, Usaghade, Wandala, Wushi, Yamba, Yemba, and Zulgo-Gemzek. People and ethnic groups of Cameroon include East Nigritic, the Equatorial Bantu, Fulani, Highlanders, Kirdi, and Northwest Bantu. About 57% of Cameroonian citizens are believers in Christianity, followed by animist and ethnic beliefs (23%), Islam (20%), and Bahá’í (0.42%).
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ●
Cameroon’s topography is as varied as its climate. Southern Cameroon features a low coastal plain; central Cameroon is predominantly plateaus; northern Cameroon’s grasslands give way to marshes around Lake Chad, an important and struggling lake located at the tippy top of Cameroon; and western Cameroon is dominated by forested mountains. Cameroon’s highest point, Fako, stands with an elevation of 13,435 feet and 4,095 meters and is located on a volcano, Mount Cameroon. Some resources list the peak elevation as 13,451 feet and 4,100 meters. Nicknamed the “mountain of greatness,” Mt. Cameroon is geographically located in southwestern Cameroon and immediately northwest of Buéa, a city between Boa and Douala. Mount Oku (3,011 meters) is another major peak; it is found in the Bamenda Mountains near the town of Mbem by southeast Nigeria. Prominent peaks in the Mandara Mountains of extreme northern Cameroon include Rhumsiki Peak (1,224 meters) near the towns of Gawar and the namesake Rhumsiki, while Tourou Peak (1,442 meters) is geographically situated near the town of Mora.
Cameroon has over 400 kilometers and 250 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal areas near Nigeria in extreme western Cameroon contain dozens of islands — named and unnamed, habited and uninhabited. Akwabana, Douala Edea, Ewuru, Fiari, Inikoi, Masonjo, Mboza Bombe, Miandjou, and Moukouke are some of the named islands. Various rivers and tributaries throughout Cameroon include the Bek, Bénoué, Boumba, Dja, Faro, Lobé, Logone, Mbam, Ngoko, Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and Wouri. The Bakassi and Erong peninsulas are located in the islands’ vicinity. The picturesque Memve’ele Waterfalls are located immediately north of Equatorial Guinea and east of the town of Campo in southwestern Cameroon. Lake Chad is not the only lake within the borders of Cameroon. Other notable lakes include Bamendjing, Lagdo, Mbakaou, and Nyos. The following are national parks and reserves located mostly near the borderlands of Cameroon: Bénoué, Bouba Ndjida, and Waza in the north; Biosphère du Dja, Boumba-Bek, and Lobéké in the southeast; Méfou (Mfou) in south-central Cameroon; Campo-Ma’an in the southwest; and Korup and Takamanda in the west.
This post was updated with more information in December 2023. GeoFact of the Day’s map of Cameroon was designed in June 2020.
Home to about 12 million residents (year 2023 estimate), BURUNDI is a central African country located along the East African Rift zone. There are 3 bordering countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda to the north, and Tanzania to the east and south. Burundi is north and east of the long and skinny Lake Tanganyika. The currency is the Burundi Franc, and the ISO 4217 currency code is BIF. Burundi’s climate is equatorial and typically includes two wet and two dry seasons, while temperature ranges are stratified depending on altitude. Major food sources and crops include bananas, cassava (manioc), coffee, cotton, maize (corn), sorghum, sweet potatoes, and tea. Some of the country’s exports for global trade ↗ include blankets and textiles, kaolin, limestone, niobium, platinum, rare earth oxides, and vanadium.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Burundi’s population in the year 2020 is about 12,499,000 and is ranked 76th among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. At the northeast edge of Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura is the economic capital and largest city with a population near 500,000 in 2023. Starting in January 2019, the national capital was switched over to Gitega with all or most government functions planning to transition to the central Burundi city. The population of Gitega in 2012 was almost 23,000 then grew to over 162,000 in 2023. Other major Burundian cities with over 100,000 residents include Bugendana, Busoni, Giteranyi, Muyinga, Ngozi, Nyanza-Lac, and Rumonge.
Notable places and sites of interest all across the country include the Burundi French Institute (Institut Français Burundi) in Bujumbura, Chutes de la Karera waterfalls near Gihofi, Geological Museum in Bujumbura, Jardin Public (Public Garden) in Bujumbura, National Museum of Gitega, and Saga Beach near Bujumbura. Places of cultural and natural importance listed on the Tentative List of UNESCO in the year 2007 include Gasumo, a southern source of the Nile; Karera Falls and the Nyakazu Fault; Rwihinda, lake of birds; the Royal Residence of Burundi (Gishora Drumming Palace); and the sacred natural landscapes of Muramvya, Mpotsa, and Nkiko-Mugamba.
Kirundi (Rundi) and French are official languages used for communication; Swahili is another major language. Partly due to a relatively small geographic size, Burundi has relatively few languages compared to several African countries — including Cameroon, Chad, D.R. Congo, Nigeria, and Tanzania — that have over 100. Religions in Burundi include Christianity (especially the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communion denominations), ethnic religions, Islam, Hinduism, and Bahá’í. People and ethnic groups include the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa (Pygmy).
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ● The general landscape consists of grassy highlands with mountains towering almost 9,000 feet. Burundi’s highest point is Mount Heha, standing with an elevation of 8,760 feet and 2,670 meters and situated west of Ruko in western Burundi. Other prominent mountains throughout Burundi include Kikizi, Umusozi Twinyoni, Camabari, Mikiko, Nyaruyaga, Karavyi, Gitwe, Rubaribari, Karama, Shaga, Manga, Mutwe, Taba, Nyakibugwe, Musumba, Mugongo, Nyankware, and Rutemba. The major national parks throughout Burundi are Kibira, Rusizi, and Ruvubu.
Burundi features a vast network of rivers and tributaries throughout the whole country. Borderland rivers include Kagera, Kanyaru, Lugusi, Maragarazi, Ruhwa, Rumpungwe (Rumpungu), Rusizi, and Ruvubu. Inland rivers include Kabulantwa, Mpanda, Mubarazi, Mulembwe, Murarangaro, Muyovozi, Ndurumu, Nyamuswaga, Rukoziri, Ruvubu (borderland and inland), and Ruvyironza. The White Nile river’s southernmost source is found in southern Burundi; the other known southernmost source is located in Rwanda. Straddling the Burundian border from the towns of Gatumba (north) and down to Nyanza-Lac (south), Lake Tanganyika is the world’s second-deepest lake. Northeast of the community of Bugabira, Lac Cohoha and Lac Rweru are the two major lakes along the border with Rwanda in northern Burundi — between the towns of Bururi (west) and Bigugo (east).
This post was updated with more information in March 2024. GeoFact of the Day’s map of Burundi was designed in June 2020.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● With about 2.27 million people (2017), the capital and most-populated city is Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou is considered a primate city in the state because of the following criteria: (1) it is the dominant financial and economic hub of Burkina Faso, and (2) there is not another city rivaling Ouagadougou's population. Other cities in Burkina Faso include Banfora, Bobo Dioulasso, Dédougou, Djibo, Fada-N'Gourma, Garango, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, Pouytenga, Tenkodogo, and Zorgo. Attractions and sites of interest throughout Burkina Faso include the Banfora Falls (Les Cascades de Banfora), Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque, Laongo Sculpture Symposium (Ouagadougou), Mare aux Hippopotames (Lake of Hippopotamuses) in Bobo Dioulasso, Nazinga Reserve, Ruins of Loropéni (blog post ↗), and Sindou Peaks (Les Pics de Sindou) in Banfora.
While French is Burkina Faso's only official language used for government purposes, about 70 total languages are spoken throughout the state. According to Ethnologue (↗), the three recognized languages of national identity are Fulfulde (over 1,1870,000 people in B.F.), Jula (over 3,600,000), and Mòoré (over 6,400,000 Mossi people). Other major (and minor) languages and their respective ethnic groups/tribes — populations of communicators are listed in parentheses — include Birifor (110,000), Bisa (400,000), Buamu (270,000), Hausa (500), Koromfé (200,000), Lobi (220,000), Lyélé (215,000), Marka (140,000), Ninkare (25,000), Northern Dagara (250,000), Southern Bobo Madaré (185,000), Téén (2,000), and Zarma (600). About half the population believes in the tenets of Islam, followed by animist ethnic religions (30%), Christianity (almost 20%), and Bahá'í (0.03%). The Burkinabé people (people of Burkina Faso) use the West African CFA Franc (ISO 4217 currency code: XOF) as their currency.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● The generally flat country sits on a vast plateau and mostly includes grassy savanna land. With an area of about 16,000 km², Sahel Reserve is the country's largest park and the major protector of savanna habitat — the type of ecosystem suitable for large mammals and migratory birds. Three major north-south rivers — Black Volta (Mouhoun), Red Volta (Nazinon), and White Volta (Nakambé) from west to east — cut through the plateau's lateritic iron rock. The continuous savanna landscape transitions into here-and-there forests in southern Burkina Faso, especially south of Bobo Dioulasso city. Protected forestland and other areas of savanna land include the Arli National Park, Deux Bale Forest, Forest of the Mou, Kaboré Tambi National Park, Nakambé Forest, Singou Reserve, Sissili Forest, and W National Park. The transnational W National Park is named after the Niger River's W-shaped meander, located in southwestern Niger.
The lakes of Burkina Faso are certainly not as large as Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, etc. However, several substantial lakes provide crucial water to people and animals. Burkinabé lakes include Bam, Dem, Higa, Kompienga, Oursi, and Tengrela. The country's first dam was constructed in the late 1980s on the southeast end of Lake Kompienga. Located along the Koulpeleogo (Koul Péolgo) river, the Kompienga Dam can generate up to 14 electrical megawatts (MWe) of energy for Ouagadougou and surrounding communities. Generating up to 16 megawatts of electricity, Bagré Dam was completed in the 1990s and later expanded to create a 7,000,000,000 m³ reservoir along the White Volta river. Finally, Burkina Faso's highest point is Mount Tena Kourou (Tenakourou). In the Cascades region of southwestern Burkina Faso near Mali, Tena Kourou stands 749 meters and 2,457 feet tall in elevation.
This post was updated with more information on April 14th, 2017.
The map of Burkina Faso was added on June 13th, 2017.
CAMBODIA is an Indochinese country in Southeast Asia that borders the countries of Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. This country was formerly known as Kampuchea. The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh! The currency is the Cambodian Riel, and its ISO 4217 currency code is KHR. A significant, well-known, and historical structure is Angkor Wat, a Khmer temple built in the early 1100s (12th century) and located north of Siem Reap (Siemreab) city as well as Tônlé Sap, Cambodia’s largest lake.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Cambodia’s population in the year 2020 was about 15,535,000 and was ranked 71st among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s economic capital and largest city with a population of over 1,500,000. Other Cambodian cities include Batdambang (Battambang), Kampong Cham, Kracheh, Phumi Samraong, Siemreab (Siem Reap), Sihanoukville, and Sisophon. Designated due to cultural and natural importance, UNESCO World Heritage Sites located throughout Cambodia include the iconic Angkor Wat — added to the World Heritage List in 1992 — as well as Angkor Thom (Bayon Temple), Ker archaeological site, Preah Vihear Temple, and Sambor Prei Kuk Temple Zone. Other notable places and sites of interest all across the country include the Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda; tenth-century Banteay Srei Temple; twelfth-century Ta Prohm Temple and its Terrace of the Elephants; PH Euro Park, built to imitate quintessentially European sights such as the Eiffel Tower and Dutch windmills (but there’s also a mini Sydney Opera House as a non-European bonus); the bustling Central Market; the vibrantly lit nightlife hub of Pub Street; and the Tuol Sleng Memorial Museum.
As of 2025, approximately 27 languages are used for communication in Cambodia, including the following languages: Khmer (official), Central Mnong, Chinese (Mandarin, Min Nan, and Yue), English, French, Jarai, Kaco’, Kraol, Kravet, Kru’ng, Kuy, Lao, Lave, Somray, Stieng Bulo, Tampuan, Thai, Vietnamese, and Western Cham. A majority of Cambodians have Khmer heritage, while some residents have Chinese or Vietnamese ethnicity. Theravada Buddhist is the official and majority (~86%) religion of Cambodia. Ethnic religions, Chinese Universalism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Bahá’í, etc. are minority beliefs and religions.
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ●
Tônlé Sap is by far the largest lake in Cambodia and sits across the country’s central and northwest areas. The Mekong is the longest river and is revered and well-traveled. This mighty river starts in the northeast, goes straight south, veers southwest towards Phnom Penh, flows eastward and southward into southern Vietnam, then empties into the Mekong Delta — and subsequently the East Sea (South China Sea). Cambodia’s curvy southwest coastline abuts the Gulf of Thailand. Other Cambodian rivers and tributaries include the Bassak, Chas, Chinit, Kong, Peam, Sab, San, Sen, Sreng, and Srêpôk. There are several waterfalls throughout the countryside, one of which is Kbal Chhay located northeast of Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia. On the other side of Cambodia are the Khone Falls where the Mekong enters Cambodia from Laos. Bokor and Phnom Kulen national parks have waterfalls. Several islands of Cambodia have waterfalls, most notably the three or so waterfalls on the island of Kaoh Rung (Koh Rong). Immediately north of Sihanoukville is a bay named Chhak Kampong Saom (Kompong Som Bay).
Sprinkled in the rivers and bays of Cambodia are dozens of islands with all sorts of shapes and sizes. In addition to Koh Rong mentioned above, some island examples include Chanloh, Dach (Silk), Damlaung, Daong, Dek Koul, Koh Ki, Koh Kapi, Kong, Oknha Tei, Preab, Pring, Puos, Rong Sanloem, Russey (Bamboo), Seh, Ta Kiev, Tang, Thas, and Thmei. Mount Sâmkôs (1743 meters) and Mount Aôral (1813 meters) both stand almost like goalposts for the “football” known as the Krâvanh Mountains. The Dâmrei Mountains are further south near the aforementioned Chhak Kampong Saom. Conversely, the Dangrek Mountains straddle the northern border with eastern Thailand. Including Bokor and Phnom Kulen national parks mentioned above, here are some preserves and wildlife sanctuaries throughout Cambodia: Kulen Prum Tep, Lumphat, Phnom Sâmkôs, Ream, Roneam Daun Sam, and Virachey.
Map Note: The island of Ãao Phu Quôc belongs to Vietnam. On my newest versions of maps, islands that are green or white (with transparency) belong to other countries.
This post was updated with more information in July 2025.
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