Rwanda

1890 (August 15, Friday): Rwanda becomes a part of the German East Africa colony

1916 (July 1, Saturday): Belgian forces take control of Rwanda during World War I

1962 (October 1, Monday): Rwanda gains independence from Belgium and becomes a republic

1973 (July 5, Thursday): General Juvénal Habyarimana seizes power in a military coup

1990 (October 1, Monday): The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) invades Rwanda from Uganda

1994 (April 6, Wednesday): The assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana marks the beginning of the Rwandan Genocide

1994 (July 4, Monday): The RPF seizes Kigali, ending the genocide and establishing a new government

2003 (June 26, Thursday): A new constitution is adopted, establishing a presidential republic

2010 (January 1, Friday): Rwanda becomes a member of the East African Community (EAC)

2017 (October 4, Wednesday): President Kagame is re-elected for a third term after a referendum allows the change to presidential term limits

2020 (March 21, Saturday): Rwanda enforces a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2022 (July 15, Friday): Heavy rains and flooding in the western region of Rwanda, causing damage and casualties

2023 (February 7, Tuesday): Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 hits the region, with significant tremors felt in Rwanda

Continent: Africa
Location: Central and East Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Capital: Kigali
Language: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili (official)
Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF)
Population: ~13.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)

Borders: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Landscape: Rugged mountains, savannas, rolling hills, volcanic mountains, and lakes
Major Rivers: Kagera River, Nyabarongo River, Rusizi River
Major Mountains: Virunga Mountains, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Nyiragongo
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi
Volcanoes: Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Karisimbi, Mount Visoke
Highest Point: Mount Karisimbi (4,507 m / 14,787 ft)
Lowest Point: Rusizi River (950 m / 3,117 ft)
Climate: Tropical savanna climate, with a wetter season from March to May and a drier season from June to September
Geological Features: The Great Rift Valley, volcanic mountains of the Virunga range, and Lake Kivu Rift

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%), Twa (1%)
Religion: Roman Catholic (approximately 45%), Protestant (approx. 35%), and smaller Muslim and indigenous religious communities
Urban Population: ~17% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~5% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Kigali Genocide Memorial, wildlife tourism, music, dance, and art
Cuisine: Ugali (maize porridge), Isombe (cassava), Brochettes (skewered meats), and beans
Arts: Traditional music and dance, basket weaving, painting
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, athletics, cycling

Economy Type: Developing, with a focus on agriculture and services
GDP: Approx. $12.7 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (coffee, tea), mining, tourism, construction
Key Exports: Coffee, tea, tin, tantalum, tungsten, minerals, and pyrethrum
Unemployment Rate: ~16.2% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Rural areas focused on agriculture, urban centers growing in services, tourism, and construction

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Paul Kagame (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 2003, revised in 2015

Kigali: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kigali Convention Centre, local markets
Volcanoes National Park: Mountain gorilla trekking
Lake Kivu: Beaches, boat tours, and relaxation
Nyungwe Forest: Rainforest, wildlife, and hiking trails
Akagera National Park: Safari wildlife, including elephants, lions, and giraffes