Rwanda: The Land Of A Thousand Hills

Located in the heart of Africa with a total area of 26,338 km2, Rwanda is a country of a thousand hills bordered to the North by Uganda, to the East by Tanzania, to the South by Burundi, and to the West by the Democratic Republic of Congo. It lies astride the Congo-Nile.

From Northern to Southern Rwanda, Rwandans speak one language, Ikinyarwanda, as the national language. However, some dialects are observed in North-West, East and South-Western parts of the country.


Rwanda is also known for its folkloric dances, transmitted over generations.

 Rwanda’s forests cover 6735.17 km2 and represent 25.5% of the total surface area of the country. They are ranged into three categories: National parks, Natural forests and Forest plantations largely dominated by exotic species. Following the two main rain seasons of the year, Rwanda is remarkable for its green landscape. 

Rwanda has a balanced ecosystem that allows the presence of a rich fauna including 402 mammal species, 1,061 bird species, 293 reptile and amphibian species. Apart from its big five mammals located in Akagera National Park, Rwanda is most renowned for the mountain  gorillas populating the Volcanoes National Park. 

Known for its breath-taking scenery, Rwanda is often referred to as land of a thousand hills due to its mountainous landscape comprised of inter-locking and rolling hills that make up the largest part of the country. Its dominant feature is a chain of mountains of rugged beauty that runs on a North-South axis and forms part of the Congo-Nile divide. From Karisimbi volcano in North that reaches 4,507 m, the elevation drops to 1,220 m in swampy Akagera river valley in East. The interior highlands consists of rolling hills and valleys. 

Rwanda became part of German East Africa in 1897, but passed under Belgium mandate after WWI. After the turmoil of 1959, it got independence in 1962 which was followed by painful human right violations culminating in April 1994 genocide against Tutsi. Three months later the genocide was stopped by RPA soldiers, and then started the rehabilitation and reconstruction journey.

From April 7th to July 17th, Rwandans take 100 days to commemorate more than one million of Rwandans who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It is also a time to learn about Rwanda’s history, think about measures for combatting genocide ideology and reinforce reconciliation and nation building.

Today, Rwanda is a  rehabilitated and politically stable nation. Its long term development goal is focused on transformation of the entire economy and society. The journey towards self-reliance continues through a private sector led growth and transformation of economic model.