Roman Catholic missionaries operate most of the schools in Burundi. This area contains the northern part of Lake Tanganyika and the Rusizi River. Most of western Burundi is volcanic rock, and soils formed on volcanic rock are usually fertile. But heavy rains have washed out most of the useful chemicals in the soil there. Poor farming methods have also weakened the soil and worn it away.
Swamps lie at the foot of the escarpments.
Woodlands once covered most of the plateaus, but farmers have cleared most of the land. The soils there produce better crops than those in western Burundi. Another highland region covers southern Burundi. The rainy season in Burundi generally lasts from February to May. Economy. The people raise bananas, beans, cassava, corn, and sweet potatoes for food.