A state almost literally at the heart or the center of the African continent, Rwanda has much to behold. Just like several other African countries, Rwanda is teeming with African wildlife and wilderness. One of the unique things you will get to do here is see rare mountain gorillas that find their home in bamboo forests. It’s really not just about the safari and savannah here, but of forests as well. There are also a few volcanoes there for exploration. Despite the tragedy that has occurred in this country, the people have become optimistic and remained strong. Indeed, an admirable trait that you will see in the faces of their people.
Rwanda – Interesting and Important Facts
- Rwanda is also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills because most of the country is covered by rolling, grassy hills.
- The Karisimbi Volcano (4,519 m high) in the Virunga Mountains, is the highest point in Rwanda.
- Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Ihema, Lake Bulera, Lake Ruhondo and Lake Mugesera are the main water bodies in Rwanda.
- Rwanda is one of the smallest nations on Earth with size of 26 338 square kilometers.
- Rwanda is the 4th smallest country on the African Continent.
- Rwanda is only one of three countries in Africa where you can visit Mountain Gorillas in the Wild.
- Rwanda is largely a rural country with about 90% of the population involved in agricultural, agro-processing and mineral work.
- The head of the state of Rwanda is its president who is elected every seven years by its citizens. The President has been conferred great constitutional powers such as creating policy along with his cabinet, exercising the prerogative of mercy, negotiating and signing treaties, commanding the army, and declaring war or a state of emergency. The president also appoints the prime minister and the cabinet.
- Kigali in Rwanda is Africa’s cleanest country because they had a consistent schedule in community cleaning days which takes place every last Saturday of the month.
Rwanda – Cool, Fun and Funny Facts
- Rwanda’s Parliament has more female members than any other parliament in the world. 56% Rwanda’s Parliamentarians are women that put them as #1 for female member of a parliament.
- Rwanda is a leader of Gorilla tourism
- Kigali is the African city where things work. The police is pro-active in traffic so the street light work, the traffic lights work and traffic laws are obeyed.
- Unlike Kampala: the city that never sleeps, Kigali’s nightlife, rolls up the sidewalks at 7 to 8 pm.
- Rwanda’s policy is “No Plastic Bags Allowed”, At the point of entry plastic bags are actively looked for and confiscated.
- No Flip-Flop Sandals allowed in Rwanda.
- It is simply a no-no walk across lawns in Kigali, so stay off the grass.
- Rwanda has manicured lawn,if you step on it, you will be finger wag.
Rwanda – Historical and Cultural Facts
- In 1894 the explorer, Gustav Adolf von Götzen became the first European to explore Rwanda.
- Kigili, Rwanda was founded by Ferman Dr. Richard Kandt in 1907 where it had 6000 inhabitants at independence from Belgium in 1962 and today over 1 million Rwandans call Kigali their town.
- Rwanda (Ruanda) and Burundi (Urundi) became a part of German East Africa in 1890.
- During the First World War Belgian forces captured Rwanda and Burundi.
- Ruanda-Urundi, a League of Nations Trust Territory administrated by Belgium, was formed After the First World War.
- Ruanda-Urundi became a United Nations Trust Territory governed by Belgium following the Second World War.
- In 1959, The majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next few years, thousands of Tutsis were slaughtered and around 150,000 were driven into exile to nearby countries.
- In 1962, Rwanda attained Independence.
- In 1993, an agreement was reached to end the civil war (the Arusha Peace Accords) in Rwanda.
- Genocide and massacres that lasted until July 1994 took place because of the assassination of the Rwandan President.
- To deal with a number of people responsible for the genocide, the United Nations appointed an International Tribunal in 1995.
- Agriculture and cattle is the traditional way of life in Rwanda.
- Rwandan people do not form villages but each family is surrounded by its own fields
- The most dominant religions in Rwanda are Roman Catholic, Protestant, Adventist and Muslim.
RWANDA, Africa – Below are 10 facts about the Rwandan Genocide:
1. It took place between two ethnic groups populating Rwanda: the Hutus and the Tutsis
At the start of the 20th century, most of the Rwandan population belonged to the Hutu ethnic group, who were traditionally crop-growers. Over many centuries, Rwanda attracted another group, traditional herdsmen, the Tutsis, from northern Africa. While the Tutsis were more frequently landowners, the Hutus were usually the laborers. This division of labor perpetuated a population in which the Hutus outnumbered the Tutsis.
It wasn’t until European colonists arrived during the 1950s, that a divide developed between the two groups. The Europeans saw the Tutsis, who were taller with European ‘aristocratic’ appearances and, as was the practice of the time, selected this group to be both privileged and educated.
Coupled with the introduction of modern weapons and war technique, this introduction of class into the Rwandan people marked the beginning of the end.
2. On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying President Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down. Immediately after that, violence ensued.
Under the cover of war, Hutu extremists launched their plans to destroy the entire Tutsi civilian population. Any Hutu moderate, suspected Tutsi, and Tutsi was systematically murdered. These killings took place in homes and even while Tutsis tried to flee.
Extremists set up roadblocks across the country during the genocide, effectively putting a stopper to any escape attempts. Women were systematically and brutally raped.
3. Between April and June 1994 (~100 days), an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part in the killings. Hutu civilians, forced by military personnel, were to murder their neighbors, friends, and even relatives.
Participants were given incentives, in the form of money, food, or land, to kill Tutsis; they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
4. An estimated 200,000 people participated in the perpetration of the genocide.
Sadly enough, the two ethnic groups are actually very similar – they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas, and follow many of the same traditions.
5. Corpses in the countryside were covered with banana leaves to screen them from aerial photography.
The genocide organizers were actually very conscious of the risks of international scrutiny, and over the radio would constantly incite killers to continue, but asked that “No more corpses [be put]on the road.”
6. An unofficial militia group called the Interhamwe (meaning those who attack together) was formed after encouragement by the presidential guard.
At its peak, the group was 30,000-strong.
7. Unlike the genocides of Armenians in 1915, and Jews in 1941-5, the genocide in Rwanda was not kept secret.
Journalists would report what they saw, and even what was found after the genocide was over. A UN force (UNAMIR), which watched as people were killed in the streets, claimed: “We have no mandate to intervene.”
Prior to the onset of the genocide, there had been at least ten clear warnings to the UN about the “Hutu power” action that was occurring. The UNAMIR commander had even sent a telegram to the then UN Secretary – General, Boutros Ghali, three months before the event.
The UN met in secret after violence broke out. Here, Great Britain urged the pull out of UNAMIR, and later tried blocking an American proposal to send a fact finding mission when the death toll had reached 6 figures.
8. The USA had initially banned officials from using the term ‘genocide’ immediately after the violence.
9. An International War Crimes Tribunal has been set up in Arusha, Tanzania, to try leaders of the genocide. However, no death sentences can be given.
The civil war and the genocide only ended when the Tutsi-dominated rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RBF), defeated the Hutu regime. Subsequently, President Paul Kegame took control.
After the RBF victory, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
10. Local Rwandan radios would use propaganda, an act against international law, to incite Hutus to violence.
Statements such as, “You have to kill the Tutsis, they’re cockroaches. We must all fight the Tutsis. We must finish with them, exterminate them, sweep them from the whole country. There must be no refuge for them,” were whispered into the ears of civilians across the country.
The killers, subsequently, were not fueled by drugs or violence but rather by a fanatic dedication to a political cause.
RWANDA, Africa – Below are 10 facts about the Rwandan Genocide:
1. It took place between two ethnic groups populating Rwanda: the Hutus and the Tutsis
At the start of the 20th century, most of the Rwandan population belonged to the Hutu ethnic group, who were traditionally crop-growers. Over many centuries, Rwanda attracted another group, traditional herdsmen, the Tutsis, from northern Africa. While the Tutsis were more frequently landowners, the Hutus were usually the laborers. This division of labor perpetuated a population in which the Hutus outnumbered the Tutsis.
It wasn’t until European colonists arrived during the 1950s, that a divide developed between the two groups. The Europeans saw the Tutsis, who were taller with European ‘aristocratic’ appearances and, as was the practice of the time, selected this group to be both privileged and educated.
Coupled with the introduction of modern weapons and war technique, this introduction of class into the Rwandan people marked the beginning of the end.
2. On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying President Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down. Immediately after that, violence ensued.
Under the cover of war, Hutu extremists launched their plans to destroy the entire Tutsi civilian population. Any Hutu moderate, suspected Tutsi, and Tutsi was systematically murdered. These killings took place in homes and even while Tutsis tried to flee.
Extremists set up roadblocks across the country during the genocide, effectively putting a stopper to any escape attempts. Women were systematically and brutally raped.
3. Between April and June 1994 (~100 days), an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part in the killings. Hutu civilians, forced by military personnel, were to murder their neighbors, friends, and even relatives.
Participants were given incentives, in the form of money, food, or land, to kill Tutsis; they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
4. An estimated 200,000 people participated in the perpetration of the genocide.
Sadly enough, the two ethnic groups are actually very similar – they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas, and follow many of the same traditions.
5. Corpses in the countryside were covered with banana leaves to screen them from aerial photography.
The genocide organizers were actually very conscious of the risks of international scrutiny, and over the radio would constantly incite killers to continue, but asked that “No more corpses [be put]on the road.”
6. An unofficial militia group called the Interhamwe (meaning those who attack together) was formed after encouragement by the presidential guard.
At its peak, the group was 30,000-strong.
7. Unlike the genocides of Armenians in 1915, and Jews in 1941-5, the genocide in Rwanda was not kept secret.
Journalists would report what they saw, and even what was found after the genocide was over. A UN force (UNAMIR), which watched as people were killed in the streets, claimed: “We have no mandate to intervene.”
Prior to the onset of the genocide, there had been at least ten clear warnings to the UN about the “Hutu power” action that was occurring. The UNAMIR commander had even sent a telegram to the then UN Secretary – General, Boutros Ghali, three months before the event.
The UN met in secret after violence broke out. Here, Great Britain urged the pull out of UNAMIR, and later tried blocking an American proposal to send a fact finding mission when the death toll had reached 6 figures.
8. The USA had initially banned officials from using the term ‘genocide’ immediately after the violence.
9. An International War Crimes Tribunal has been set up in Arusha, Tanzania, to try leaders of the genocide. However, no death sentences can be given.
The civil war and the genocide only ended when the Tutsi-dominated rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RBF), defeated the Hutu regime. Subsequently, President Paul Kegame took control.
After the RBF victory, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
10. Local Rwandan radios would use propaganda, an act against international law, to incite Hutus to violence.
Statements such as, “You have to kill the Tutsis, they’re cockroaches. We must all fight the Tutsis. We must finish with them, exterminate them, sweep them from the whole country. There must be no refuge for them,” were whispered into the ears of civilians across the country.
The killers, subsequently, were not fueled by drugs or violence but rather by a fanatic dedication to a political cause.
RWANDA, Africa – Below are 10 facts about the Rwandan Genocide:
1. It took place between two ethnic groups populating Rwanda: the Hutus and the Tutsis
At the start of the 20th century, most of the Rwandan population belonged to the Hutu ethnic group, who were traditionally crop-growers. Over many centuries, Rwanda attracted another group, traditional herdsmen, the Tutsis, from northern Africa. While the Tutsis were more frequently landowners, the Hutus were usually the laborers. This division of labor perpetuated a population in which the Hutus outnumbered the Tutsis.
It wasn’t until European colonists arrived during the 1950s, that a divide developed between the two groups. The Europeans saw the Tutsis, who were taller with European ‘aristocratic’ appearances and, as was the practice of the time, selected this group to be both privileged and educated.
Coupled with the introduction of modern weapons and war technique, this introduction of class into the Rwandan people marked the beginning of the end.
2. On April 6, 1994, a plane carrying President Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down. Immediately after that, violence ensued.
Under the cover of war, Hutu extremists launched their plans to destroy the entire Tutsi civilian population. Any Hutu moderate, suspected Tutsi, and Tutsi was systematically murdered. These killings took place in homes and even while Tutsis tried to flee.
Extremists set up roadblocks across the country during the genocide, effectively putting a stopper to any escape attempts. Women were systematically and brutally raped.
3. Between April and June 1994 (~100 days), an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part in the killings. Hutu civilians, forced by military personnel, were to murder their neighbors, friends, and even relatives.
Participants were given incentives, in the form of money, food, or land, to kill Tutsis; they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
4. An estimated 200,000 people participated in the perpetration of the genocide.
Sadly enough, the two ethnic groups are actually very similar – they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas, and follow many of the same traditions.
5. Corpses in the countryside were covered with banana leaves to screen them from aerial photography.
The genocide organizers were actually very conscious of the risks of international scrutiny, and over the radio would constantly incite killers to continue, but asked that “No more corpses [be put]on the road.”
6. An unofficial militia group called the Interhamwe (meaning those who attack together) was formed after encouragement by the presidential guard.
At its peak, the group was 30,000-strong.
7. Unlike the genocides of Armenians in 1915, and Jews in 1941-5, the genocide in Rwanda was not kept secret.
Journalists would report what they saw, and even what was found after the genocide was over. A UN force (UNAMIR), which watched as people were killed in the streets, claimed: “We have no mandate to intervene.”
Prior to the onset of the genocide, there had been at least ten clear warnings to the UN about the “Hutu power” action that was occurring. The UNAMIR commander had even sent a telegram to the then UN Secretary – General, Boutros Ghali, three months before the event.
The UN met in secret after violence broke out. Here, Great Britain urged the pull out of UNAMIR, and later tried blocking an American proposal to send a fact finding mission when the death toll had reached 6 figures.
8. The USA had initially banned officials from using the term ‘genocide’ immediately after the violence.
9. An International War Crimes Tribunal has been set up in Arusha, Tanzania, to try leaders of the genocide. However, no death sentences can be given.
The civil war and the genocide only ended when the Tutsi-dominated rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RBF), defeated the Hutu regime. Subsequently, President Paul Kegame took control.
After the RBF victory, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
10. Local Rwandan radios would use propaganda, an act against international law, to incite Hutus to violence.
Statements such as, “You have to kill the Tutsis, they’re cockroaches. We must all fight the Tutsis. We must finish with them, exterminate them, sweep them from the whole country. There must be no refuge for them,” were whispered into the ears of civilians across the country.
The killers, subsequently, were not fueled by drugs or violence but rather by a fanatic dedication to a political cause.
