At a Glance

Official Name: Rwandese Republic

Continent: Africa

Area: 9,633 square miles (24,950 sq. km)

Population: 7,312,756

Capital City: Kigali

Largest City: Kigali (232,733)

Unit of Money: Rwanda franc

Major Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili (all official), English

Literacy: 61%

Land Use: 35% arable land, 13% permanent crops, 18% pastures, 22% forests, 12% other

Natural Resource: Gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore)

Government: Republic

Defense: 112.5 million

The Place

Rwanda is a small landlocked country in eastern Africa. It is bordered by Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi.

Rwanda is mountainous. The 14,800-foot-(4,510-meter-) high Virunga Mountains are in the northwest. The country's highest peak—Karisimbi volcano at 14,187 feet (4,324 m)—is there. Plateaus in the east rise from 5,000 to 7,000 feet (1,500 to 2,100 m). The Rusizi River and Lake Kivu are in the west and are part of Africa's Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu is the highest lake in Africa at 4,829 feet (1,472 m). Rwanda's other major rivers are the Akagera River in the east and the Akanyaru River in the south.

Rwanda has a warm climate. Temperatures in the Great Rift Valley average 73°F (23°C). This area receives 30 inches (76 cm) of rain a year. The mountainous areas have an average temperature of 63°F (17°C) and receive about 58 inches (147 cm) of rain a year. The plateaus see temperatures rise to 68°F (20°C). Yearly rainfall totals 47 inches (119 cm).

The People

Rwanda is one of the most crowded countries in Africa. It has a population density of 711 people per square mile (274 people per sq km). The country has an annual population increase of 2.5%. Life expectancy is 42 years.

Approximately 80% of the people belong to the Hutu ethnic group. About 19% are Tutsi and less than 1% are Twa. Several wars have occurred between the Hutu and Tutsi over control of the government. In 1994, the Tutsi gained control of the government.

Many Rwandese farm for a living, however, most only grow enough food to feed their families. Major crops include bananas, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, and sorghum. About 93% of the labor force works in agriculture, 5% in government and services, and 2% in industry and commerce.

Most people are Roman Catholic, however, some practice traditional African religions. The Roman Catholic Church runs most of the elementary and high schools. Children must attend school from ages 7 to 15, however, there are not enough classrooms for all the students.