Rwanda

Rwanda
source
Conventional long name	Republic of Rwanda
Capital	Kigali
Official languages	Kinyarwanda, French, English
Government type	Unitary dominant-party presidential republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	Paul Kagame
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Édouard Ngirente
Area km2	26,338
Population estimate	13,246,394
Population estimate year	2022

Rwanda. Officially the Republic of Rwanda, it is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," its terrain is dominated by mountains and savanna, with its capital and largest city being Kigali. The nation has gained international recognition for its rapid development and remarkable recovery following the devastating Rwandan genocide in 1994.

History

The earliest inhabitants were the Twa people, followed by Bantu-speaking agriculturalists, the Hutu and Tutsi, who formed the Kingdom of Rwanda by the 15th century. The kingdom was consolidated under Mwami Kigeri IV Rwabugiri in the 19th century before becoming part of German East Africa in 1885. After World War I, the territory was mandated to Belgium as part of Ruanda-Urundi, with colonial administrators rigidifying ethnic divisions through the use of identity cards. Rwanda gained independence in 1962, after a period of social revolution, leading to the establishment of the First Rwandan Republic under President Grégoire Kayibanda. In 1973, Juvénal Habyarimana seized power in a coup d'état, establishing an authoritarian Second Rwandan Republic. The Rwandan Civil War, initiated by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) under Paul Kagame in 1990, culminated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, during which an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed by Interahamwe militias and government forces. The genocide ended with the RPF's military victory, leading to the establishment of the Rwandan Patriotic Front-led government and a period of national reconciliation, including the use of traditional Gacaca courts to try genocide perpetrators.

Geography

Located in east-central Africa, it is part of the Albertine Rift montane forests ecoregion and is highly elevated, with its lowest point being the Rusizi River at 950 meters. The terrain is characterized by rugged hills, with the Virunga Mountains in the northwest containing Mount Karisimbi, the highest peak. Major bodies of water include Lake Kivu, one of the African Great Lakes, and the Kagera River, which feeds into Lake Victoria. The Nyungwe Forest is a significant montane rainforest, while Akagera National Park features savanna and wetlands. The climate is temperate, with two rainy seasons influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Government and politics

It is a unitary dominant-party presidential republic, with the Constitution of Rwanda adopted in 2003 and amended in 2015. Executive power is vested in the President of Rwanda, with Paul Kagame of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) serving since 2000, and the Prime Minister of Rwanda, currently Édouard Ngirente. The bicameral Parliament of Rwanda consists of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of Rwanda. The country's political landscape is dominated by the RPF-led coalition, with other parties including the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party. Key institutions include the Rwanda National Police and the Rwanda Defence Force. It is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the East African Community.

Economy

Classified as a lower-middle-income economy by the World Bank, it has experienced rapid growth driven by services, tourism, and information technology. The national currency is the Rwandan franc. Major exports include coffee and tea, with the country being a member of the International Coffee Organization. The Kigali International Financial Centre aims to establish the capital as a regional hub. Key infrastructure projects include the Kigali Innovation City and Bugesera International Airport. The government's development blueprint, Vision 2020, has been succeeded by Vision 2050, focusing on becoming a high-income nation. The Rwanda Development Board facilitates investment, while sectors like ecotourism, centered on Volcanoes National Park for mountain gorilla trekking, and conventions through the Kigali Convention Centre, are significant revenue sources.

Demographics

It is the most densely populated mainland African country, with a young population and a median age under 20. The largest city and primate city is Kigali, with other major urban centers including Musanze, Huye, and Rubavu. The official languages are Kinyarwanda, French, and English, with Swahili recognized as a national language. Religious affiliation is predominantly Roman Catholic and Protestant, with significant minorities of Seventh-day Adventists and Muslims. The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda conducts the national census.

Culture

Rich cultural traditions are expressed through Intore dance, Imigongo cow-dung art, and traditional music using instruments like the inanga. The annual Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony is a major event. The literary scene includes authors like Scholastique Mukasonga, a winner of the Prix Renaudot, and Gilbert Gatore. The film industry is growing, with the Rwanda Film Festival and movies such as *Sometimes in April*. Culinary staples include ugali (isombe) and brochettes, often accompanied by Urwagwa (banana beer). The national football team, Amavubi, competes internationally, and the country has participated in the Olympic Games. The Kandt House Museum and Kigali Genocide Memorial are key cultural institutions.

Category:Landlocked countries Category:Member states of the African Union Category:Republics