IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Rwanda

22nd July, 2024 Geography

Rwanda

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Context:  Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has smashed his own record by winning Monday's elections with more than 99% of the vote.

Details

Official Name

  • Republic of Rwanda.

Form Of Government

  • Presidential republic.

Location

  • Central/Eastern Africa.

Capital

  • Kigali.

Currency 

  • Rwandan franc.

Population:

  • 12,187,400.
  • Density is estimated at 274.6 people per square kilometer

Official Languages:

  • Kinyarwanda, French, English.

Area

  • 10,169 square miles (26,338 square kilometers).

Ethnicity

  • Hutu 85%, Tutsi 14%, Twa 1%.

Bordering Countries

  • landlocked country
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, and Burundi to the south.

Climate

  • Tropical highland climate, the climate is tempered by altitude.

Physical Description.

  • Land is typically hilly.
  • The Virunga Mountains, located in the northwest part of Rwanda, contain the country’s highest peak, Karisimbi.

Volcano Mountains

  • Mount Muhabura,  Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Gahinga.
  • All the five volcanoes are dormant.
  • Highest peaks are found in the Virunga volcano chain.

Drainage and Water body

  • Two major African rivers, the Nile and the Congo, flow through Rwanda.
  • The country's longest river is the Nyabarongo.
  • Nyabarongo merging with the Ruvubu to form the Kagera and Nyabarongo-Kagera eventually drains into Lake Victoria.
  • Lake Kivu is the country’s largest lake (and Africa’s sixth largest) and separates Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.
  • Deepest point, Lake Kivu plunges 722 feet (220 meters) below the surface.
  • · Other Lakes: Ruhondo, Muhazi, Mugasera, Ihema, Rwanye and Burera.

Vegetation

Thick equatorial rainforest is found in the north and west of the country – forest covering some 18% of the total land area – and savannah in the east.

Arable land comprises 49% and permanent cropland 10% of the total land area.

Wildlife

 National parks and game reserves cover some 8% of the country and include the Volcanoes National Park (famous for its mountain gorillas)

Akagera National Park (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras).

Other Facts

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is an international agreement to gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Sources:

BBC.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. consider the following countries

1.       Uganda

2.       Burundi

3.       Tanzania

4.       Nigeria

How many of the above country/ies does not share border with Rawanda?

A.      Only one

B.      Only two

C.      Only three

D.      All four

Answer B