2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

12 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - prefigintara for singular and plural); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali Rurale, Kigali-ville, Umutara, Ruhengeri

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 1,777,178/female 1,762,252) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 2,328,686/female 2,356,572) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 87,155/female 128,977) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock

Airports

9 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

5 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.) Military Rwanda

Area

land

24,948 sq km

total

26,338 sq km

water

1,390 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Background

In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the former Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but about 10,000 that remain in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo have formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in August and September 2003, respectively - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output, and ethnic reconciliation is complicated by the real and perceived Tutsi political dominance. Kigali's increasing centralization and intolerance of dissent, the nagging Hutu extremist insurgency across the border, and Rwandan involvement in two wars in recent years in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to hinder Rwanda's efforts to escape its bloody legacy. Geography Rwanda

Birth rate

40.6 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$385 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$354.5 million

Capital

Kigali

Climate

temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

new constitution adopted 4 June 2003

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Rwanda

conventional short form

Rwanda

former

Ruanda

local long form

Republika y'u Rwanda

local short form

Rwanda

Currency (code)

Rwandan franc (RWF)

Currency code

RWF

Current account balance

$-212.5 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

16.32 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$1.3 billion (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Henderson PATRICK

embassy

337 Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali

FAX

[250] 57 2128

mailing address

B. P. 28, Kigali

telephone

[250] 50 56 01 through 03

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Zac NSENGA

FAX

[1] (202) 232-4544

telephone

[1] (202) 232-2882

Disputes - international

Tutsi, Hutu, Hema, Lendu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; DROC and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism in 2005 to address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the Congo providing rebel Rwandan "Interhamwe" forces the means and bases to attack Rwandan forces; as of 2004, Rwandan refugees lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Zambia

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.9 (1985)

Economic aid - recipient

$372.9 million (1999)

Economy - overview

Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; landlocked with few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels, although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and inflation has been curbed. Export earnings, however, have been hindered by low beverage prices, depriving the country of much needed hard currency. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with population growth, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and was approved for IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in late 2000. Kigali's high defense expenditures have caused tension between the government and international donors and lending agencies. An energy shortage and instability in neighboring states may slow growth in 2005, while the lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continues to handicap export growth.

Electricity - consumption

195 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

40 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

166.7 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

2.3%

hydro

97.7%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

lowest point

Rusizi River 950 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Exchange rates

Rwandan francs per US dollar - 574.62 (2004), 537.66 (2003), 476.33 (2002), 442.8 (2001), 393.44 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)

election results

Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%

elections

last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)

head of government

Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000)

Exports

$69.78 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, hides, tin ore

Exports - partners

Indonesia 64.2%, China 3.6%, Germany 2.7% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Rwanda

Flag description

three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band Economy Rwanda

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

41.1%

industry

21.2%

services

37.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.9% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.43 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note

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

Government type

republic; presidential, multiparty system

Highways

paved

996 km

total

12,000 km

unpaved

11,004 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

5.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

22,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

250,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 24.2% (1985)

Imports

$260 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material

Imports - partners

Kenya 24.4%, Germany 7.4%, Belgium 6.6%, Uganda 6.3%, France 5.1% (2004)

Independence

1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2001 est.)

Industries

cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Infant mortality rate

female

85.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

96.37 deaths/1,000 live births

total

91.23 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.rw

Internet hosts

1,495 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

2 (2002)

Internet users

25,000 (2002) Transportation Rwanda

Investment (gross fixed)

20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

40 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees

Labor force

4.6 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 90%

Land boundaries

border countries

Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

total

893 km

Land use

arable land

40.54%

other

47.3% (2001)

permanent crops

12.16%

Languages

Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers

Legal system

based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (53 seats; members elected by direct vote)

election results

seats by party under the 2003 Constitution - RPF 40, PSD 7, PL 6

elections

last held 29 September 2003 (next to be held Chamber of Deputies - NA 2008; Senate - NA 2011)

Life expectancy at birth

female

48.03 years (2005 est.)

male

45.92 years

total population

46.96 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

64.7% (2003 est.)

male

76.3%

total population

70.4%

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,004,750 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,103,823 (2005 est.)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

18.7 years (2005 est.)

male

18.26 years

total

18.48 years

Military branches

Rwandan Defense Forces

Army, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$50.1 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.2% (2004) Transnational Issues Rwanda

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Nationality

adjective

Rwandan

noun

Rwandan(s)

Natural gas - proved reserves

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

Natural resources

gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

5,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2002)

People - note

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa Government Rwanda

Political parties and leaders

Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Alfred MUKEZAMFURA]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Adrien RANGIRA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR (officially banned) [Celestin KABANDA]; Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Andre BUMAYA]; Liberal Party or PL [Prosper HIGIRO]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned) [Pasteur BIZIMUNGU and Charles NTAKARUTINKA]; Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

IBUKA - association of genocide survivors

Population

8,440,820 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

60% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

2.43% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 8 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters, three international FM programs include the BBC, VOA, and Deutchewelle), shortwave 1 (2005)

Radios

601,000 (1997)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

4,158 (incursions by Hutu rebels from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1997-99; most IDPs in northwest) (2004) This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

refugees (country of origin)

37,691 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Religions

Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$210.9 million (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal adult

Telephone system

domestic

the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone

general assessment

telephone system primarily serves business and government

international

country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)

Telephones - main lines in use

23,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

134,000 note: Rwanda has mobile cellular service between Kigali and several provincial capitals (2003)

Television broadcast stations

2 (2004)

Televisions

NA; probably less than 1,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east

Total fertility rate

5.49 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA

Waterways

Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft (2004)