The general census of population and housing is in full swing. When we talk about the area of a country like Burundi, the figures we come across usually refer to a flat measurement of the land surface, obtained using geographic information systems (GIS). For example, it is commonly accepted that Burundi covers an area of 27,834 km². But what does this figure really mean, and does this measurement accurately reflect the real surface of the country, given its relief? What impact do they have on the ongoing census? This contributor sheds some light on the matter.
The area of 27,834 km² allocated to Burundi is a measure of the “projected surface”. This measurement represents the horizontal projection of the Earth’s surface onto a flat map, completely ignoring variations in relief. In other words, this area is calculated as if the land were completely flat, without taking into account mountains, hills or valleys.
On the other hand, the “real surface” of a country takes these topographical variations into account. Where the terrain is uneven, the actual area may be larger than the projected area, because the relief adds « distance » extra surface area. Imagine, for example, a flat piece of paper that you crumple. The surface area of the crumpled paper (the actual surface area) is larger than when it is flat (the projected surface area).
What about the real surface area of Burundi?
Burundi is an East African country that is mostly made up of plateaus and mountains. The Mirwa mountain range in the west dominates much of the country. Because of this terrain, Burundi’s actual land area is actually larger than the projected area of 27,834 km².
For example, suppose a mountainous region in Burundi has an average slope of 10%. On a small projected area of 1 km² (a square of 1 km on a flat map), the actual area could be slightly larger due to the slope. Using simple geometric calculations, we can estimate that the actual area of this region would be about 1,005 km², an increase of 0.5% over the projected area. If we extrapolate this to the entire country, the total actual area of Burundi could be slightly larger than the official 27,834 km².
Bhutan, a textbook case
Bhutan is one of the few countries that has attempted to measure its actual area by taking into account the relief. In 2007, the Advanced Geographical Surveys were conducted to obtain a more accurate estimate of the country’s area. Bhutan, located in the Himalayas, has an extremely rugged relief, with altitudes ranging from a few hundred meters to over 7,000 meters above sea level.
Using digital elevation models (DEMs) and geographic information systems (GIS), geographers were able to recalculate the area by incorporating the country’s complex terrain. The results showed that the actual area of Bhutan was significantly larger than that estimated by traditional planar projection methods. According to some estimates, the actual area could be 10 to 15 percent larger than the projected area.
This increased precision has enabled Bhutan to better plan its resources, manage its land more efficiently and strengthen its environmental policies – crucial elements for a country that places great importance on environmental conservation.
What impact on the general population census?
This difference between projected and actual area takes on particular importance in the context of the general census of population and housing currently underway in Burundi. When collecting population data, it is crucial to take into account the actual area, especially in mountainous regions where population density could be underestimated if only the projected area is used. An accurate understanding of the actual area allows for a better assessment of population distribution and needs in terms of infrastructure, health services, education, and natural resources.
Beyond the census, this difference between projected and actual area can have important implications in several fields, such as geography and cartography where an accurate understanding of the actual area is essential for detailed geographic studies, such as biodiversity assessment, where the actual area can influence population density or species distribution.
What is the point of knowing the real surface area of Burundi?
While Burundi’s projected area is officially 27,834 km², its actual area is likely larger, due to the country’s varied terrain. The case of Bhutan shows that it is possible, with modern technology and rigorous methodology, to obtain a more accurate estimate of a country’s actual area. This difference, although often marginal, underscores the importance of understanding the nuances of geographic measurements and their impact on understanding our physical world. For increased accuracy in geographic studies, resource management, and especially for accurate census taking, it is relevant to incorporate terrain into area calculations, particularly in mountainous regions like Burundi.
Knowing the real surface can also help us in the management of natural resources, such as water or forests, where an exact knowledge of the real surface is crucial to assess the amount of resources available. It can also help us in geoponics and territory, since in some cases the real surface can influence territorial discussions or international agreements.
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2024-09-04 08:21:54