Rwanda

(Republic of Rwanda, Repubulika y’u Rwanda, République du Rwanda)

General Information:

• Location: East Central Africa
• Capital: Kigali
• Language(s): Kinyarwanda, English, French
• Population: 12,374,397
• Total Area: 26,338 sq km
• Currency: Rwandan Franc
• Curious Alcohol Fact: The most popular brand of alcohol in Rwanda is actually made in the villages from cereals or plantain.
• Annual Average Liquor Consumption Per Capita: 9.78 liters
• Most Popular Drink(s): Urwagwa (local brew), Amstel beer

Travel Video

Video Courtesy: African Fun Videos

The Country

A tiny but beautiful nation, Rwanda is located in the central and eastern parts of the continent. This landlocked nation is bounded by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the serene Lake Kivu. And that reminds me of the fact that Rwanda is a nation of many lakes. Because of its diminutive size and relatively large population, Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Once ruled by kings, Rwanda is now a fully-fledged democracy headed by President Paul Kagame. The economy is also improving and this is very impressive, especially considering the long history of conflict of civil wars and genocide. Against all odds, Rwanda is making sure and steady progress.

The People

Numbering over 11 million, Rwandans are from different tribes and ethnic groups. This did not come as a surprise to me as many African countries have a similar pattern when it comes to the demographics. However, one interesting thing with this pattern is that instead of the hundreds of tribes and ethnic groups that you find in places like Cameroon and Nigeria, Rwanda has only three major groups, and these are the Hutus, Tutsis and the Twas. The three groups are often referred to as the Banyarwanda and they have a lot in common. In terms of religion, most Rwandans are Christians and there is also a significant population of Muslims and traditionalists.

Places to Visit

The beauty of Rwanda is magical. It is a land of rolling hills, dense jungles, glistening lakes and gushing rivers. For centuries, explorers have marveled at the incredible beauty of this enchanting land. There are some places that you must take time out to visit once you land in the country. One of these is the Lake Kivu, one of the great lakes of Africa. Full of fish of various species, the Lake has a number of islands and one of these is called Ijwi. A cruise to this exotic island is a fantastic idea. There is also the Volcanoes National Park where you can see some of the world’s last mountain gorillas.

Eating

Considering the fact that many Rwandans are into subsistence farming, it does not sound incredible that many of the staple foods are based on food crops such as cassava, plantains, sweet potatoes and beans. Unlike the nations in West Africa and North Africa, beef is not a popular item in Rwandan cuisine. However, if you visit villages that are located close to the lakes and river, you will be filled with fish of all types and sizes.

Drinking

Considering the fact that many Rwandans are into subsistence farming, it does not sound incredible that many of the staple foods are based on food crops such as cassava, plantains, sweet potatoes and beans. Unlike the nations in West Africa and North Africa, beef is not a popular item in Rwandan cuisine. However, if you visit villages that are located close to the lakes and river, you will be filled with fish of all types and sizes.

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