Rwanda

1. Rwanda By Megan Schultz and Julia Castillo

2. Geography • Rwanda is located in East Africa. It’s bordering countries are: • Democratic Republic of Congo • Burundi • Tanzania • Uganda • Rwanda is mostly made of grasslands and hills • Rwanda’s highest point is the Volcan Karisimbi and it’s lowest point is the Rusizi River. • Rwanda is 26338 sq km, or slightly smaller than Maryland. • Rwanda’s capital is Kigali. • Rwanda is made up into 4 provinces: • Kigali City • Northern Province • Western Province • Eastern Province Southern Province

3. Climate and Natural Resources • Rwanda’s climate is temperate with two rainy seasons: • February to April • November to January • Rwanda has many natural resources: • Gold • Cassiterite, or tin ore (export) • Wolframite, or tugsten ore • Methane • Hydropower • Arable land • Animal hides (export) • Rwanda contains many bodies of water including: • Lake Kive • Lake Muhazi • Lake Ihema • Lake Bulera • Lake Ruhondo • Lake Mugesera

4. Languages, Ethnic Groups, and Religions • The variety of languages spoken here are: • Kinyarwand (official language) • French (official language) • English (official language) • Bantu universal vernacular • Kiswahili (Type of Swahili used in commercial centers) • The ethnic groups in Rwanda are: • Hutu (Bantu) • Tutsi(Hamitic) • Twa (Pygmy) • There are many religions in Rwanda. Some of them are: • Roman Catholic • Protestant • Adventist • Muslim • Indigenous beliefs

5. Food • Rwanda has a large variety of food they consume every day. Some dishes include: • Peanut Sauce • Beans • Cassava • Tropical fresh fruits • Salad • Noodles • Amendaze (thick doughnuts) • Samoas (fried dough triangles filled with meat) • American and European food

6. Pre-Colonial and Colonial • Before it was colonized, Rwanda was a highly centralized kingdom. • It was ruled by the Tutsi clan, who ruled with three categories: • Cattle Chiefs • Land Chiefs • Military Chiefs • In 1899 Rwanda became a German colony. • When Germany was defeated in WWI, it became a Belgian colony with help from Germany • In 1935, the Belgian administration created identities based on wealth: • People with ten or more cows were the Tutsi • People with less than ten cows were the Hutu • The first massacres of the Tutsi by the Hutu were in 1959 • On July 1, 1969, Belgium granted it’s first formal political independence to Rwanda

7. Post-Independence • From 1959 onward, massacres of the Tutsi by the Hutu were more common. • The 1st Republic was with President Gregorie Kayibanda, who supported the massacres. • During this time, refugees tried to return to Rwanda, but it was a failed attempt • In 1965 Rwanda was declared a one party state under the Hutu • In 1973 President Gregorie was kicked out of office by his people and President Major General Juvenal Habyarimana came into office. • President Gregorie and all supporters were killed • In 1975 President Habyarimana formed the Movement Revolutionare Nationale pour le Developpment • Political parties by citizens were banned from the 1970-1980s

8. An Armed Struggle, Search for Peace and the Arusha Peace Agreement • On October 5, 1990 the War of Liberation began against the dictatorship in Kigali • France, Belgium, and Congo supported the dictatorship • On March 29, 1991 in Congo, the Government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Patriotic Front both signed N’seles Ceasefire Agreement (stop war, ect.) • After signing this, the Government ignored it and continued the war • The Arusha Peace Agreement was signed on August 4, 1993 • It stated that both sides would: • Stop the war • Have no democracy or rule in Rwanda • Have National unity

9. The Genocide • The Genocide is when the Hutus killed the Tutsi, believing they were against their political ideas • The word did not exist until 1944 • This was when Hitler massacred the Jews • Genocide means to kill another race • This word comes from the Greek word geno (race) and the Latin word cide (kill)

10. Population and Education • The population of Rwanda is 10,473,282 • The life expectancy is about 50 years. • There are 7,800 deaths from HIV every year. • 150,000 people are currently living with HIV. • Rwanda is the most densely populated country. • The school education expectancy is 8-9 years • Ages 15 and up can read and write.

11. Agriculture • Rwanda has many farmlands, so they have a lot of produce: • Coffee (export) • Tea (export) • Pyrethrum (insecticide) • Bananas • Beans • Sorghum • Potatoes • Livestock

12. Industry • Rwanda has many industries. They create: • Cement • Farm products • Small-scale drinks • Soap • Furniture • Shoes • Plastic objects • Textiles • Cigarettes

13. Import partners, communications and transportation • Rwanda’s import partners are: • Kenya • China • Uganda • Belgium • Germany • Rwanda has four types of communication: • Telephone (Local, Domestic, International) • Radio (10 FM Stations) • Television (2 Local Stations) • Internet (www.example.rw 81 host servers) • Rwanda has three main types of transportation: • Airports (9 total, 4 with paved runways) • Roadways (14008 KM) • Waterways (shallow craft needed to float)

14. Traditions • Rwanda has many present and past traditions. • Music and Dance are an important tradition. • They demonstrate epics of bravery and excellence • There are traditional songs used to tell stories • There are also celebratory dances • Many instruments, beats, and rhythms are used • Arts and Crafts are also important. • Ceramics • Baskets • Woodcarvings • Paintings

15. Tourism • There are many elements of Rwanda that tourists come to view. Some include: • National Parks • Gorilla Tours • The Annual Gorilla Naming Ceremony • Traditional Dances and Song performances • Scenery and Landscape • Crafts

16. Rwanda Today • Today Rwanda is no longer massacring others. • They currently have 9 political parties. • Their Prime Minister is Bernard Makuza • Head of State is President Paul Kagame • There are about 8 million people in Rwanda • The Currency is Rwanda franc

17. Bibliography • www.gov.rw • www.rwandatourism.com • www.cia.gov/worldfactbook • Pictures from various sites from google images and sites listed above. Thank You!