Rwanda - Information, Geography and History

INTRODUCTION

Being designated from the title of “The Land of a Thousand Hills” to the land of 'Gorillas in the Mist', to lastly being entitled as the 'Little Switzerland of Africa', the Central African nation of Rwanda is acclaimed for holding suprising scenic sights. From chasing Gorilla along the Virungas province to fresh air walking along the greenery stretches of the Akagera National Park, from the diverse attraction placed along the Nyungwe Forest to the crystal clear water near the Kivu Lake, all these wonderful sights surely catches your attention while touring to this fantastic location.

LOCATION OF RWANDA

Rwanda is nestled within the Great Lakes area along the east-central Africa, which is engulfed by areas like Uganda (north), Burundi (south), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (west) and Tanzania (east). The province is alienated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo through which the valley of Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River passes by from the western end.

PHYSICAL MAP OF RWANDA

Rwanda is centrally located along the African continent, lying towards the southern part of the Equator. The region is comprised of lush and rocky terrain, because of which it is entitled the name of the "Land of a Thousand Hills", along the area adjacent to the continental Africa. The countryside boasts of greenery grasslands with stretches of undulating hills, with jagged mountains along the southeastern area and a chain of volcanoes running along the northwestern area. A divide between the Congo and Nile drainage structure broadens from the northern end to the southern end from the western Rwanda, which measures to about 9,000 feet.

From the western end of the undulated ridgeline, the land inclines down towards the Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River valley that together comprises the Great Rift Valley. The eastern end is marked with rising and falling hills gently sloping from the central uplands while reaching the plains and the swampy lakes within the province.

CLIMATE OF RWANDA

Rwanda experiences a tropical kind of weather conditions where the high raised mountainous region is frequently subjected to frost and snow. Rwanda is placed just two degrees towards the southern region of the equator that is rarely subjected to extreme conditions. The months of July-September and January are dry in nature. The months of February–May and September–December are the major period when the area is affected with heavy showers accompanied with thunderstorms. The western and northwestern mountains expects heavy down pouring in compared to the eastern savannas region.

FLORA AND FAUNA OF RWANDA

Comprised of savanna grasslands along most of the regions in Rwanda, watch out for tropical forests near the western, northern and southern borders of the Lake Kivu. Eucalyptus is the most common species thriving in the region that was once introduced from the southern region along with bringing in plants like acacias, and oil palms.

The native animals residing within the region are hippopotamuses, flying lemurs, partridges, elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, guinea hens, lions, zebras, leopards, geese, monkeys, gorillas, jackals, hyena, snipe, wild boar, antelope, crocodiles, ducks and quail. One may even catch up with species like Mountain Gorilla and Shoebill Stork that are commonly found here.