Land forms are very important from geographical aspect. There are many
land forms in Rwanda. Land forms of Rwanda vary in area and location.
Rwanda land forms can be categorized as follows:
- Mountains/Volcanoes
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Valley
Rwanda is has many mountains and main Mount Virunga. A brief description of the sub mountains of Mount Virunga:
- Mount Gahinga-A dormant mountain on the border of Uganda and Rwanda.
- Mount Huye-This mountain is located in the south of Rwanda and is a major source of mineral water
- Mount Karsimbi-A dormant volcano between the border of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In winter it remains partially snow covered.
- Mount Sabyinyo-An extinct volcano near the borders of Uganda, Republic of the Congo and rwanda.
- Mount Muhabura-An extinct volcano near the borders of Rwanda and Uganda.
There are two major rivers in Rwanda that are river Kagera and river Razizi . A brief description of these two rivers is as follows:
- River Kagera-The river originates from Burundi and flows in major parts of Rwanda. It flows in Lake Victoria and forms source for the great river Nile also.
- River Razizi- This river flows into Lake Tangayinka and forms a delta. A hydroelectric dam has been built on it and it generates 148 GWH on an annual basis.
There are total of 23 lakes in Rwanda comprising to most of its water bodies. The main lakes are:
- Lake Kivu.
- Lake Muhazi
- Lake Ihema
- Lake Bulera
- Lake Ruhondo
- Lake Mugesera
Great Rift valley- The western part of the great rift valley touches parts of Rwanda. The total length of rift valley is 6,000 Kms. Many lakes of Rwanda flow in this valley that got formed because of the rift.
