I have had 38 views of my blog today, from the country of Burundi. I know the name of course, but very little about the country.
Here is a map showing where it is on that vast continent.
Some countries just tend to get overlooked. If there is no war, no catastrophic disease, and no contentious political issues, they are easily tuned out of our consciousness.
In my case, that has surely happened to Burundi.
I looked up a few snippets of information about the country.
The Twa, Hutu and Tutsi peoples have lived in Burundi for at least 500 years. For more than 200 of those years, Burundi was an independent kingdom, until the beginning of the 20th century, when Germany colonised the region. After the First World War and Germany’s defeat, it ceded the territory to Belgium
Burundi remains primarily a rural society, with just 13.4% of the population living in urban areas in 2019.
One of the smallest countries in Africa, Burundi’s land is used mostly for subsistence agricultural and grazing, which has led to deforestation, soil erosion and habitat loss. As of 2005 the country was almost completely deforested, with less than 6% of its land covered by trees and over half of that being commercial plantations. In addition to poverty, Burundians often have to deal with corruption, weak infrastructure, poor access to health and education services, and hunger. Burundi is densely populated and many young people emigrate in search of opportunities elsewhere. The World Happiness Report 2018 ranked Burundi as the world’s least happy nation with a rank of 156.
Sadly, it doesn’t sound like the greatest place to live, far from it. But it is now back on my radar, thanks to blogging, and a resident who viewed my blog today.
I agree PeteđŸ˜‚. Some countries just like to lay low. Nothing much happening. I’ve learn’t alot from this post
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Thanks, I am glad to hear that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Unfortunately I am quite aware of Burundi because the 1993 genocide was covered widely by the South African media.
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Very little about the country gets reported here, but of course you were living close by.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is so interesting, Pete. I love geography, and teach it to my preschoolers. We will have to look up Burundi together at school. It’s been a long time since I looked at the WP map of where my viewers come from. I need to do that.
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It is worth looking at. I love to imagine who might be reading my stuff in some far-off land. Perhaps you could do a school to school blog, and ask schools in countries like Burundi to show you what schooling is like there? I am sure that would fascinate your youngsters.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is an excellent idea. Geography is a fun teaching tool. My big map book has drawings to show what is in that country or state, like Big Ben in England and cowboys in Wyoming. That brings the world to life for my preschoolers. Friday we found Mount Rushmore, as we’re learning about rocks. Best to you, Pete.
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No Burundi. My biggest surprise were the 85 reads from Nepal.
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I have had Nepal, also Tibet and Bhutan. đŸ™‚
Best wishes, Pete.
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My granddaughter just finished learning all the countries on the African continent, followed by having to free hand draw a map(she has a very rigorous course of study) so I knew of it. I will now check to see if that reader has read me. I love imagining what brings such a diverse set of readers to my blog, and check regularly.
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I like to imagine those people in far-off lands, wondering about me and my dog. đŸ™‚
Best wishes, Pete.
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I wish I knew how and why they read us.
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My heart always sinks when I see the word ‘colony’ attached to a country, and Africa, as a continent, has suffered appallingly in that context. Cheers, Jon.
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We Europeans have a lot to be ashamed of indeed, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, when I saw the word colonized, I felt sick.
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That’s a very good blog post. I’d know a little bit. I know more now.
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Thanks, Ahmet. Glad you liked it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I don’t usually check this, Pete, but now I’m curious. I didn’t know anything about Burundi either, so it’s been a good education. Take care and I hope you get good news soon.
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I check the countries at least once a week, Olga. I have had views from Tonga, Christmas Island, Benin, Chad, and many other unusual places.
Best ishes, Pete.
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I had no idea that country existed before this. Thanks for enlightening me. It’s so awesome how far-reaching our stories can go with the help of technology.
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It is indeed. Thanks, Stuart.
Best wishes, Pete.
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At least they have the Internet đŸ™‚
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Well at least one person does. đŸ™‚
Cheers, Pete.
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Nice to know something about Burundi.
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And to imagine someone there reading my blog. đŸ™‚
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s crazy to think someone in another country is reading your blog, multiple blogs! Your blog has such a large reach! C
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I love checking the countries in the stats. I amazes me to see where they are reading my stuff.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love looking at the different countries that visit!
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So do I. Burundi was a most unusual one.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Well Hi to your Burundi person! Won’t be putting it on my holiday list though, sounds like they have enough problems.
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Yes, it’s not a tourist destination, that’s for sure.
best wishes, Pete.
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I don’t suppose we are either thinking about it.
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Fascinating Pete… we plan a trip to Africa in 2022 – and this doesn’t seem to be one country that will make our hit list…sad that a country like this is so neglected and impoverished
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I have been to Kenya and Tanzania. But I confess Burundi was never on my wish list.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Fascinating!
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I thought so.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I check my countries as well….chuq
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I find it fascinating.
Best wishes, Pete.
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At least Mt. Heha is happy!
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Well spotted, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Gotta love the different countries one gets visited by at timesđŸ˜€ I didn’t know much about this country either except for the name, so always nice to learn something new đŸ˜€
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I check the countries most days. One of the real joys of blogging. đŸ™‚
Best wishes, Pete.
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