# Bujumbura

> former capital of Burundi

**Wikidata**: [Q3854](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3854)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujumbura)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bujumbura

## Summary
Bujumbura is a large human settlement and city located in Burundi, specifically within the Bujumbura Mairie province. It served as the national capital of Burundi from July 1, 1962, until January 15, 2019, and is situated on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Bujumbura is classified as a city and a big city.
- **Location:** It is located in the Bujumbura Mairie province of Burundi, bordering Bujumbura Rural Province and situated next to Lake Tanganyika.
- **Coordinates:** The city's geographic coordinates are -3.3825 latitude and 29.361111111111 longitude.
- **Elevation:** Bujumbura sits at an elevation of 774 meters above sea level.
- **Area:** The city covers a total area of 86.54 square kilometers.
- **Timezone:** The local time zone is UTC+02:00.
- **Population:** The population was recorded as 497,166 in a 2008 census and rose to 658,859 by 2014.
- **Capital Status:** It was the capital of Burundi from 1962 to 2019. Previously, it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Burundi (until 1912), Ruanda-Urundi, and Usumbura District.
- **Historical Names:** The city was officially known as Usumbura until June 30, 1962. It also uses the alias Buja.
- **Inception:** Historical records cite the city's inception as 1871 or 1897, with the earliest written record dating to 1889.
- **Official Languages:** The official languages are Kirundi, French, and English.
- **Demonyms:** Residents are referred to as Bujumburais (masculine singular), Bujumburaise (feminine singular), Buĵumburano, Bujumburiene (feminine singular), or Bujumburien (masculine singular).
- **UN/LOCODE:** The city's UN/LOCODE is BIBJM.
- **Dialing Codes:** Local dialing codes include 2220, 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224, and 2225.
- **Twin City:** Bujumbura is twinned with Hefei.

## FAQs
**What is the historical timeline of Bujumbura as a capital?**
Bujumbura served as the capital of the Kingdom of Burundi until 1912, followed by its role as the capital of Ruanda-Urundi and Usumbura District. It became the capital of Burundi on July 1, 1962, and held this status until January 15, 2019.

**What are the demographic details of the city?**
According to census data, the population was 497,166 in 2008 and grew to 658,859 by 2014. The city's inhabitants are known by various demonyms, including Bujumburais (masculine) and Bujumburaise (feminine).

**Where is Bujumbura geographically situated?**
The city is located in the Bujumbura Mairie province of Burundi, bordering the Bujumbura Rural Province. It lies on the shores of Lake Tanganyika at an elevation of 774 meters.

**What are the administrative and communication details for Bujumbura?**
The official languages are Kirundi, French, and English. The city operates under the local dialing codes 2220 through 2225 and is identified by the UN/LOCODE BIBJM. Official communications are managed via the website http://www.mairiebujumbura.gov.bi and social media accounts like @mairiebuja on Twitter.

**What are the different names used for Bujumbura?**
The city was officially named Usumbura until June 30, 1962, after which it was renamed Bujumbura. It is also commonly referred to by the alias Buja.

## Why It Matters
Bujumbura holds significant historical and political importance as the former capital of Burundi, serving as the central hub of the nation for over five decades following its independence. Its strategic location on Lake Tanganyika has established it as a vital geographic and administrative center within the region. The city's evolution from a 19th-century settlement (Usumbura) to a modern urban center reflects the complex colonial and post-colonial history of Burundi, including periods under the Kingdom of Burundi and Ruanda-Urundi.

## Notable For
- Serving as the capital of Burundi from July 1, 1962, to January 15, 2019.
- Acting as the capital of the Kingdom of Burundi until 1912.
- Being the location of the earliest written record in 1889.
- Possessing a diverse set of demonyms, including Bujumburais, Bujumburaise, Buĵumburano, Bujumburiene, and Bujumburien.
- Having a sister city relationship with Hefei.
- Maintaining an active online presence through official social media channels, including YouTube (mairiebujumbura2612) and Twitter (mairiebuja).

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bujumbura is a large human settlement classified as a city and a big city. It is situated within the Bujumbura Mairie province and shares a border with the Bujumbura Rural Province. Geographically, the city is positioned at coordinates -3.3825 latitude and 29.361111111111 longitude. It lies at an elevation of 774 meters above sea level and covers a land area of 86.54 square kilometers. The city is located adjacent to Lake Tanganyika, a significant body of water in the region. Bujumbura operates in the UTC+02:00 time zone.

### History and Development
The city's history dates back to the late 19th century, with inception dates recorded as 1871 and 1897. The earliest written record of the area dates to 1889. Originally known as Usumbura, the city underwent an official name change on July 1, 1962, becoming Bujumbura. Throughout its history, it has served as a capital for several political entities:
*   **Kingdom of Burundi:** Until 1912.
*   **Ruanda-Urundi:** During the colonial era.
*   **Usumbura District:** As an administrative center.
*   **Burundi:** From July 1, 1962, until January 15, 2019.

### Demographics and Population
The city has experienced population growth over the years. A census conducted in 2008 recorded a population of 497,166. By 2014, the population had increased to 658,859. The residents of Bujumbura are identified by a variety of demonyms depending on the language and gender:
*   **Masculine Singular:** Bujumburais, Bujumburien.
*   **Feminine Singular:** Bujumburaise, Bujumburiene.
*   **General:** Buĵumburano.

### Administration and Infrastructure
Bujumbura utilizes Kirundi, French, and English as its official languages. The city's administrative infrastructure includes specific local dialing codes ranging from 2220 to 2225. For international trade and logistics, the city is assigned the UN/LOCODE BIBJM. Bujumbura has established a municipal partnership, being twinned with the city of Hefei.

The city maintains a digital presence for governance and public communication:
*   **Website:** http://www.mairiebujumbura.gov.bi
*   **Twitter:** @mairiebuja
*   **Facebook:** ID 61555451323717
*   **YouTube:** Channel ID UC9xDjnxkkTLB0ATXHbsEuAA (handle: mairiebujumbura2612)

### Media and Visual Representation
Bujumbura is documented through various visual media available on Wikimedia Commons and other platforms. Key images include:
*   A view of the Bujumbura Mairie (City Hall).
*   An aerial view of the city.
*   Night traffic scenes.
*   A Wikivoyage banner.
*   A locator map.

The city is categorized under several topics for organizational purposes, including:
*   **People:** Category:Births in Bujumbura, Category:People from Bujumbura, Category:Deaths in Bujumbura.
*   **Visuals:** Category:Views of Bujumbura, Category:Maps of Bujumbura.

### External Identifiers and Database Records
Bujumbura is indexed in numerous global databases and information systems, reflecting its status as a recognized geographic and administrative entity. These identifiers include:
*   **GeoNames ID:** 425378
*   **GND ID:** 4292542-3
*   **VIAF ID:** 139550167
*   **MusicBrainz Area ID:** 09c02b2f-31c3-4219-be68-6dbd6860f1f0
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n80040529
*   **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID:** 14416171v
*   **OpenStreetMap Node ID:** 60715062
*   **WHO's on First ID:** 421204487
*   **WorldCat Entities ID:** E39PBJv8HrbpWjg8rGyXjmth73
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0fn67
*   **Yale Lux ID:** place/741172a5-6303-4f91-b054-ffd4d27f0efd
*   **BBC Things ID:** 15e7afd4-08b8-4206-9c97-0c93c854d73a

Additionally, the city has entries in encyclopedias such as Encyclopædia Britannica Online, Great Russian Encyclopedia, Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana, and Brockhaus Enzyklopädie Online. It is also listed on travel and review platforms like TripAdvisor (ID: 293771) and has a Quora topic dedicated to it.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://bigenc.ru/c/buzhumbura-7f8776)
4. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
5. Belarusian encyclopedia
6. Great dictionary of geographical names
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](http://isteebu.bi/images/rokdownload_thumbs/annuaire%202010.pdf)
11. [Source](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/burundi/cities/)
12. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
13. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
14. GeoNames
15. BBC Things
16. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/bi.htm)
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. KBpedia
19. YouTube API