Short facts about the geography of Rwanda

Location:

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates:

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total:  26,338 sq km land:  24,948 sq km water:  1,390 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total:  893 km border countries:  Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

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

Terrain:

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

Elevation extremes:

lowest point:  Rusizi River 950 m highest point:  Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

Natural resources:

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

Land use:

arable land:  35% permanent crops:  13% permanent pastures:  18% forests and woodland:  22% other:  12% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

40 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

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

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified:  Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

landlocked; predominantly rural population

Source: World Factbook