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Country Profile: Rwanda
Fact FileCapital and largest cityKigaliOther citiesButare, Gitarama, Kibuye, Kigali, GisenyiOfficial languagesKinyarwanda (Rwanda), French, EnglishArea26, 798 sq kmPopulation10, 186, 063 (2008 est.)CurrencyRwandan franc |
Languages
Rwanda has three official languages - French, English and Kinyarwanda (or, in its simplified form; Rwanda), which is a Bantu language and mutually intelligible with Kirundi, spoken in Burundi.
Economy
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa. The economy of Rwanda was devestated following the genocide of 1994. However, since then, the country has recovered to a certain extent, and its economy strengthened, thanks in great part to international aid. Rwanda has limited natural resources and instead is reliant upon subsistence agriculture, with produce such as coffee, tea, bananas, beans, potatoes and sorghum. There is also the breeding of livestock, and fishing is another sector which provides income to the country. Rwanda's manufacturing industry makes such products as drinks, cigarettes, wheelbarrows, soap, cement and textiles. Foreign investment in the country is focused upon tourism, mining, tea and coffee, and the country is focusing on expanding the revenue from the tourist industry.
Energy
Charcoal from forests is a key source of fuel, but this is not a sustainable option due to the depletion of woodland areas. The terrain, with its mountains and lakes, lends itself perfectly to the harvesting of hydroelectric power, and Rwanda is working in this area to develop this source of sustainable and renewable energy, in partnership with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Humanitarian Aid
After the war and genocide of 1994, there was emergency humanitarian aid and support provided to Rwanda, firstly going direct to relief work and to those who had fled to refugee camps outside the country, and later to development and reconstruction. Aid comes from the US, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, PR China, the World Bank, UN and the European Development Fund.
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