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Country Fact File : Rwanda
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International volunteer program
Rwanda is now known primarily for the horrific genocide which took place in 1994 when a million people were killed in a period of three months by extremist Hutu militias. However, in the last decade, much of Rwanda has been rebuilt, and it is a country of great diversity, beauty and friendliness. The best known of Rwanda’s tourist pulls is the Parc Nacional des Volcans, home to the last surviving Mountain Gorillas. Rwanda is a land of mountains and forests, and there is no shortage of exploring opportunities. For those who like the city life, many of the larger centres are blossoming with new places to eat and drink, and the tourism industry is gradually picking up. Rwanda is one of those countries to go now – before the rest of the world realizes what a natural gem it is!
| Location | Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Area | 26,338 sq km |
| Border Countries | Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda |
| Climate | Temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible |
| Terrain | Mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east |
| Highest Point | Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m |
| Natural Hazards | Periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Environmental Issues | Deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching |
| Population | 7,398,074 (July 2002) |
| Ethnic Groups | Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001) |
| Languages | Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers |
| Type of Government | Republic; presidential, multiparty system |
| Capital | Kigali |
| Independence Day | 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
Chief of state:President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (FPR) (since 22 April 2000) Head of governmentPrime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) |
| Currency | Rwandan franc |
| Time | GMT +2 |
Did you know?
More than 1 million people were killed over a period of three months during the 1994 genocide
Rwanda is also known as the Land of A Thousand Hills, because of its mountainous landscape
Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa
Hutus comprise nearly 90% of the Rwandan population
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +250
Police tel: 999
Ambulance tel: 999
British Embassy: Kampala deals with enquiries relating to Rwanda British Consulate, BP 356, Avenue Paul VI, Kigali. Tel 75219 or 75905
Embassy in UK: 42 Aylmer Road, London N2. Tel/fax +44 (0) 20 7347 6967
01727 250250
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