Rwanda: the Country
Geography
Rwanda, a small landlocked country in central Africa, is often called 'the land of a thousand hills' or 'the Switzerland of Africa'. Situated immediately south of the Equator and bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (formerly Zaire) to the west, Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east and Burundi to the south, Rwanda is dominated by mountain ranges and highland plateaux. In the north-west is the volcanic Birunga chain, where the Karisimbi peak reaches 4,507 metres, and other high peaks include Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. Lake Kivu to the west separates Rwanda from the DRC, and at 1,460 metres above sea level it is the highest lake in Africa. Rwanda has national parks and forest reserves, the best known of which are the Virunga National Park; home of mountain gorillas, and the Akagera National Park in the north-west, rich in wildlife. The country has great potential for tourism.
Population
Rwanda covers some 26,300 square kilometres. Before the genocide and the war, the population was about 7.5 million. An estimated one million people died during the genocide, but ten years on, with the return of most Rwandans who had previously been scattered abroad, the country's population is now estimated at 7.2 million. This represents on average about 275 people per square kilometre, making Rwanda the most densely populated country in Africa.
Economy
Rwanda's economy is based on agriculture. The country enjoys a moderate tropical climate which makes agricultural work possible throughout the year. Despite under-exploited reserves of gas, wolfram, tantalite, tin and gold, the economy has been built almost exclusively on two cash crops: coffee and tea. The manufacturing sector is fairly developed and includes the production of beverages and food, detergents, textiles and agricultural tools. Decades of political turmoil, however, together with the effects of war and genocide, have left the economy dilapidated, and social conditions are very poor for many Rwandans.
The abundance of cheap labour creates some attractive investment and development opportunities, and the government is investing in human development and improving the welfare of the population. With the help of good economic policies and the right assistance from the international community, Rwanda has the potential for rapid economic recovery.