Rwanda — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Rwanda: capital Kigali, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Rwanda is in Africa. Its capital is Kigali.

Climate

Temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in the mountains

Grassy uplands and hills; mountains in the west (Albertine Rift); marshes and lakes in the southeast

Rwanda is the cleanest country in Africa, banning plastic bags since 2008.

Rwanda is known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills" for its stunning mountainous landscape.

Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in parliament of any country in the world.

1400: Kingdom of Rwanda emerges under Tutsi monarchy

1884: Germany colonizes Rwanda as part of German East Africa

1919: Belgium takes control under League of Nations mandate

1962: Rwanda gains independence

1994: Genocide against the Tutsi claims approximately 800,000 lives

2000: Paul Kagame becomes president and leads rapid reconstruction