Geography of Rwanda

Rwanda is located in eastern/central Africa.  It is a landlocked nation.  Rwanda is located near the equator.  The entire country is at a high altitude: the lowest point is the Rusizi River at 950 metres (3,117 ft) above sea level.[1] 

  

The country's longest river is the Nyabarongo, which rises in the south-west, flows north, east, and southeast before merging with the Ruvubu to form the Kagera; the Kagera then flows due north along the eastern border with Tanzania. [2]  

There are many lakes in Rwanda, the largest is Lake Kivu. This lake is located along the western border of Rwanda and the deepest part is 1575 feet.  This lake is one of the deepest lakes in the world.  [3]

There are mountains located in western and central Rwanda.  The mountains are included in the Albertine Rift mountains that flank border the East African Rift.  The two highest peaks are located in the Virunga volcano chain located in the Northwest.  Mount Karisimbi is the highest point in Rwanda measuring at 14,787 feet. [4]

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and it is situated near the center of the country.  It is the largest city and has a population of over 1 million people.  This city is the main hub of Rwanda and has been since 1962 when it became the capital.  The president of Rwanda resides in this city as well as all the government offices.  An interesting fact about Rwanda is that it is one of two countries that has a female majority in national parliament. [5]

The population of Rwanda is predominantly rural and young.  Rwandans have just one cultural group, the Banyarwanda and there are three subgroups with in this group.  The Twa live in the forest and they come from the line of the earliest inhabitants of Rwanda.  Hutu and Tutsi are believed to arrive into this country from different locations; some also believe that the differences in these people come from different social classes within the same grouping of peoples. [6]

Christianity is the most popular religion in Rwanda.  The main language is called Kinyarwanda, which is spoken by most Rwandans and they also have French and English as their official language. In Rwanda today they have one of the lowest corruption rates as compared with other African countries. [7]

 Rwanda has tropical highland climates.  The temperatures range from 54 degrees Fahrenheit to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, with little to no variance throughout the year.  There are two different rainy times through the year, February - June and September- December.  There are two different dry seasons as well; From June- September and December- February. [8]

Flag of Rwanda [9]

Location of Rwanda [10]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Rwanda

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Rwanda


[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Rwanda

[4]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Rwanda


[5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kigali

[6]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda#Geography

[7]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda#Geography

[8]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda#Geography

[9]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda#Geography

[10]http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/95/62295-004-107945FE.jpg