Rwanda Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Rwanda?

Overview

The Republic of Rwanda is located along the Great Rift Valley in the mountains of east central Africa and covers 10,169 square miles, 4,587 sq. miles of which is water. Rwanda is circular in shape. The western edge of the country along the Congo/Nile watershed rises steeply, formed by a chain of volcanoes called the Virunga Mountains. It is here that the country's highest point, the volcano Karisimbi at an elevation of 14,782 feet, is found. Gisenyi, a town at the northern end of Lake Kivu, enjoys spectacular vistas of the surrounding volcanoes. Rwanda’s green valleys produce beans, sorghum, corn, manioc, Irish potatoes, rice, sweet potatoes, soybeans, bananas, coffee, and tea.

The low mountains and steep hills of the remainder of the country diminish in height as one travels towards the east and southeast. On the Tanzania border, low hills, papyrus swamps, and shallow lakes are interspersed with semiarid savanna. Hardy thickets, 8 to 15 feet tall, cactus-like candelabrum trees, and grassy glades are found here.

Geography - note

landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural

Rwanda Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location	Africa
Total Area	10,169 Square Miles 26,338 Square Kilometers
Land Area	9,524 Square Miles 24,668 Square Kilometers
Water Area	645 Square Miles 1,670 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	555 Miles 893 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	37 Square Miles 96 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km
Geographic Coordinates	2 00 S, 30 00 E
Terrain	mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Highest Point	4,519 Meters
Highest Point Location	Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Lowest Point	950 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Rusizi River 950 m
Natural Resources	gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
Time Zone	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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