Rwanda

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Overview

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Rwanda

Anthem Rwanda nziza (Beautiful Rwanda)
Capital Kigali
Largest city Kigali
Official language(s) Kinyarwanda / French / English
 
Demonym
 

Rwandan, Rwandese
Government Republic
Area 26,338 km2, 10,169 sq mi
Population ~ 11 million
Currency Rwandan franc (RWF)
Internet TLD .rw

Geography

Rwanda
Rwanda is a landlocked country in Africa. It borders Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
Rwanda
The largest cities in Rwanda are Kigali, Gitarama and Butare. Kigali is also the capital of the country with an estimated population of 965,398. The city is situated near the geographic centre of the nation.

Society and culture

Unlike many countries in Africa, Rwanda has only one ethnic group and therefore a shared cultural heritage. Music and dance are an integral part of Rwandan culture.

Population

In 2010, Rwanda's population was estimated to be 10,746,311. This population is young: around 42.7% are under 15 years old. The life expectancy is 56.77 years. There is only one ethnic group in Rwanda: the Banyarwanda. This group froms three separate groups: the Hutus, the Tutsis and the Twas. These groups share a common history, culture and language.

Languages

There are three official languages in Rwanda: Kinyarwanda, English and French. English is the language of instruction in all schools. The country's principal language, however, is Kinyarwanda. It is spoken by most Rwandans. Also, Swahili, the lingua franca of East Africa, is widely spoken in rural areas.

Religion

Most Rwandans are Christian. As of 2006, Catholics represented 56.5% of the poulation, Protestants 37.1% and Muslims 4.6%. 1.7% claimed to have no religious beliefs.

Government and politics

Rwanda is a presidential republic. It is based upon a multi-party system. The current President of Rwanda is Paul Kagame. He is the head of state. Moreover, he commands the armed forces. The Parliament, which consists of two chambers, makes legislation. Rwanda is the only country with a female majority parliament. Rwanda's legal system is largely based on German and Belgian civil law systems.

Economy

Rwanda is a country of few natural resources. The economy is mostly based on agriculture by local farmers. Major export markets include China, Germany and the United States. Coffee and tea are exported the most. The industrial sector is small. Abundant wildlife, including rare mountain gorillas, have led to a fast-growing tourism sector. Nevertheless, large numbers of Rwandans live in poverty.
 

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