Burundi Giant Note: the largest banknote in the world
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which came into force on 1st July 1975, the Central Bank of Burundi has decided to issue a unique commemorative banknote of an extraordinary size: the largest banknote in the world. It measures 400 x 280 mm and will also receive an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Mietens & Partner is involved in the project as the exclusive sales partner of the central bank of the Republic of Burundi. The giant banknote is legal tender in Burundi with the denomination of 10,000 francs, but is strictly limited to a total of only 1,000 copies. It has numerous modern security features, such as holographic foil, gold leaf, two security threads and a photorealistic RGB UV printing, which is an innovation in banknote production.
Burundi is located in East Africa between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is also known as “the heart of Africa”. The country is not only home to many fascinating animal species, but also to a geographical peculiarity. The Ruvyironza rises at Mont Gikizi in southern Burundi. It is the southernmost source river of the Nile. The distance to the Nile's estuary at the Mediterranean Sea is around 6,650 km (4,130 mi), which is why most scientists consider the Nile to be the longest river in the world, even longer than the Amazon. Burundi is also known for its coffee specialties and music. In 2014, the “Ritual dance of the royal drum” was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Giant banknote features some representatives of African wildlife as well as a coffee plant, a map showing the source of the Nile, dancers and drummers, a landscape in Burundi, and the presidential palace “Ntare Rushatsi”.
