Rwanda is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, bordering Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Below are some of the facts about Rwanda:
- Rwanda is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, bordering Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rwanda covers a total area of 26,338 square kilometers, with 24,948 square kilometers being land and 1,390 square kilometers consisting of water bodies.
- The country is also known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
- Rwanda has two climatic seasons: the rainy seasons are from February to April and November to January, while the dry season is from May to September and December.
- The highest point in Rwanda is Mount Karisimbi, at 4,519 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is the Ruzizi River, at 950 meters above sea level.
- Rwanda is one of the three countries in the world where you can trek the endangered mountain gorillas.
- You can start a business in Rwanda within 48 hours, while in high-income OECD countries, this process takes an average of 11 days.
- Rwanda has been ranked number one in Africa for gender equality. The country has the highest percentage of female representatives in parliament, with 64% of the members being women.
- Rwanda has a tradition called Umuganda, which takes place on the last Saturday of every month. On this day, all Rwandans, including the president, participate in general cleaning. This has made Kigali one of the cleanest cities in the world.
- In 2007, Rwanda became the first country in the world to ban the use of plastic bags.
- Rwanda is leading Africa’s digital revolution through the Smart Kigali Initiative, which provides wireless internet in public areas and 4G internet access to 95% of its citizens, in partnership with Korea Telecom.
- Over 90% of Rwandans have access to medical insurance, making Rwanda one of the African countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
- Rwanda has four official languages: English, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, and French.
- The Nyungwe Rainforest in Rwanda is the best-preserved montane rainforest in Central Africa. Nyungwe Forest National Park also offers beautiful canopy walkways.
- Rwanda was colonized by Germany as part of German East Africa in 1884. Belgium took control in 1916 during World War I.
- Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa, with few natural resources and minimal industry.
- Rwanda is the fourth smallest country on the African continent, covering a total area of 26,338 square kilometers. It is the 149th smallest country in the world.
- Walking in public areas with flip-flop sandals is not allowed in Rwanda.
- In 1959, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the Tutsi king. In the following years, many Tutsis were killed or driven into exile in neighboring countries. In 1994, the Rwandan genocide occurred, leading to the deaths of millions of people in just 100 days. You can visit the Rwandan Genocide Museum to learn more about this tragedy.
- The most common religions in Rwanda are Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Seventh-Day Adventism, and Islam.
- The average life expectancy in Rwanda is 40 years.
- Rwanda exports tea, coffee, hides, and tin ore.