Rwanda

East Africa

Rwanda is a country in East Africa, home to 14.3 million people, with an area of 26,338 km². Its capital is Kigali.

Capital: Kigali
Population: 14.3 million
Area: 26,338 km²
Region: East Africa
Density: 543 / km²
Status: Sovereign state

Rwanda · East Africa · map loads on click

Population: UN World Population Prospects, 2024 revision. Area: CIA World Factbook.

What Rwanda is known for

Rwanda is best known for Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Lake Kivu.

Rwanda is a landlocked country located in East Africa. It is known as the “land of a thousand hills” due to its beautiful and hilly landscape. Rwanda has made significant progress in recent years in terms of economic development and has become a popular tourist destination.

Rwanda at a glance

Language: Kinyarwanda, English, and French are the official languages
Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF)
Religion: Christianity is the predominant religion in Rwanda, with a significant Muslim minority
National dish: Rwandan cuisine is largely based on local produce, with common dishes including grilled meat, beans, cassava, and plantains
Climate: Rwanda has a temperate tropical highland climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons
Main industries: Agriculture (coffee, tea, and other crops), mining, and tourism
GDP: $10.5 billion (nominal, 2020 estimate)
Development: Rwanda is considered a developing country with a human development index (HDI) ranking of 156 out of 189 countries (2020)

Things to do in Rwanda

Some of the main tourist attractions in Rwanda include:

Volcanoes National Park a national park located in the Virunga Mountains, known for its population of endangered mountain gorillas.
Nyungwe Forest National Park a national park in southwestern Rwanda, known for its biodiversity and canopy walk.
Lake Kivu a large freshwater lake located on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, known for its scenic beauty and water activities.
Genocide Memorials memorials and museums located throughout Rwanda that honor the victims of the 1994 genocide.
Akagera National Park a national park in eastern Rwanda, known for its wildlife, including elephants, lions, and hippos.
Butare a city in southern Rwanda, known for its cultural heritage and museums.
Kigali Genocide Memorial a memorial and museum in Kigali that commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide.
Inema Art Center an art center located in Kigali that showcases contemporary Rwandan art.
National Museum of Rwanda a museum in Butare that showcases Rwandan history and culture.
Lake Muhazi a small lake located in eastern Rwanda, known for its scenic beauty and birdwatching opportunities.

These are just a few examples of the many attractions that Rwanda has to offer. The country is also known for its vibrant culture, with traditional dance, music, and art.