RWANDA
Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest and sweeping plains.
Travellers come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the magnificent gorillas, yet there is so much more to see and experience.
Key facts
Joined EAC: July 2007
Population: 12.1 million (2019 Statistics)
GDP: US$ 9.51 Billion (2019 Statistics)
Official language: Kinyarwanda, English, French
Timezone: GMT + 2hr
Currency: Rwandan Franc (Rwfr)
Geography
Area: 26,338 sq. km
Coastline: none
Capital city: Kigali
Population density (per sq. km): 434
The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country with land borders with four countries: Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (clockwise from the north). Water covers 1,390 sq. km of the country; the largest lakes include Bulera, Ihema, Kivu (straddling the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo), Mugesera and Muhazi, and there are many rivers.
Languages
Kinyarwanda, English and French are the official languages, and Kiswahili is widely spoken.
Communications
Country code 250 (no area codes); internet domain ‘.rw’.
Public holidays
New Year’s Day, Heroes’ Day (1 February), Tutsi Genocide Memorial Day (7 April), Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (1 July), Liberation Day (4 July), Assumption (15 August), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday and Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, two days).
Transport
There are 14,000 km of roads, 19% paved.
There is no railway.
The main international airport is Kigali International Airport in Kigali.
International relations
Rwanda is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, The Commonwealth, Non-Aligned Movement, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, United Nations and World Trade Organization.
Topography
The terrain is rugged with steep hills and deep valleys, rising in the north to the highest peak, Karisimbi (4,519 metres), which lies in a range of volcanoes. The country is popularly known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’.
Climate
Though the country is close to the Equator, the climate is tempered by altitude; it is hot and humid in the valleys, and drier and cooler in the higher elevations. The rainy seasons are March-May and October-November; the hottest season being August-September.
Environment
The most significant environmental issues are drought, limiting the potential for agriculture; overgrazing; soil erosion and degradation; and deforestation due to almost universal use of wood as a fuel.
Vegetation
Thick equatorial rainforest is found in the north and west of the country – forest covering some 18% of the total land area – and savannah in the east. Forest cover has increased at 1.6% p.a. 1990-2010. Arable land comprises 49% and permanent cropland 10% of the total land area.
Wildlife
National parks and game reserves cover some 8% of the country and include the Volcanoes National Park (famous for its mountain gorillas) and Akagera National Park (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras).
