Interesting Facts about Rwanda

Interesting Facts about Rwanda : Rwanda is a home to the world’s only remaining mountain gorillas and this is one of the reasons this small country is quite popular. Rwanda is a quite a unique destination and there a few things that will surprise you about this country on your Rwanda tour. From the gender equality which is not a common thing in the African world to the togetherness of the people who once brutally murdered each other to the economic growth that was previously left in shambles, even the usual African safari traveler will be amazed.

1. Biggest number of women in the parliament.

Rwanda stands out on the African continent and one of the amazing facts is the fact that the women of this country are empowered and take up up to 64 percent of the seats in the Rwandan parliament. African governments or even the governments in the world tend to give priority parliamentary seats to the men but this is not the case for Rwanda. There is more of gender equality here and on the World Economic Forum, Rwanda has stood out as the sixth best government gender gap country while the USA is following at the 28^th position.

This is also the same case for the ministries and the offices where women are seen to hold positions of high authority.

2. Smallest country in East Africa.

Rwanda is part of the East African countries and also a part of the East African community along with Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic republic of Congo. Among these mentioned countries, Rwanda is the smallest sitting on an area of 26,338 square kilometers approximately 10,169 square miles. Rwanda is bordered by Burundi in the south and is still smaller than this small country. Rwanda as a country has a population of more than 12.9 million people which puts Rwanda among the most densely populated lands on the African continent.

The land in Rwanda is majorly taken up by human settlement or farm land with terraced farms.

3. Diverse ecosystem

Rwanda may be a small and densely populated main land but is still a very biologically diverse land as it is a home to a thousand hills with lush rainforests in both the north west and the south western part. Rwanda is a home to Africa’s largest pristine rain forest, the Nyungwe forest which is estimated to be 970 square kilometers big. The Nyungwe forest is also the best preserved rain forest in the entire Central Africa.

On top of being a rain forested country, Rwanda has a blend of savannah land in the north eastern part where the Akagera national park is situated and is a home to great wildlife species. Rwanda is also the home of up to 4 of the Virunga volcanic mountain ranges and these are the Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, Mount Muhabura and Mount Sabinyo.

There is so much flora, fauna and scenery that one can explore on their Rwanda safari.

4. Safest and cleanest.

You may have heard about Rwanda being a relatively clean country but on your visit to Rwanda is when you can testify on this. Rwanda as a country passed a ban on polythene bag use and this is the biggest challenge in African countries and biggest pollution contributor. Kigali city has been recognized as the cleanest city in the entire Africa and this could be factored by the “Umuganda” a day where all the country men and women put down their tools and converge to clean the city every last Saturday of the month.

Toping up the cleanliness of the Kigali city, Rwanda has also been recognized as the 11^th safest country in the entire word after a 2017 Gallup poll. This can be felt and testified by those who have been on a visit to Rwanda. Despite the safety that this country poses, one is expected to remain as vigilant as can be.

5. Great coffee

Rwanda is one of the countries you can visit and be assured of a great cup of coffee to be served. Rwanda stands right beside the likes of Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. He locally grown and produced coffee if Rwanda is very rich in flavor and also very dark to make an ideal cup of coffee. There are other coffee flavors that you can try.

Ensure to pass by a coffee shop or café when in the country or take an afternoon or half day tour to one of the coffee plants for an experience of the seed to cup of coffee treat. Roasters and artisan growers are growing bigger in the country and even being noticed on the international scene.

6. Most gruesome genocide in the world.

Rwanda recorded one of the most gruesome genocides in the world as people of the same race brutally murdered each other using the most brutal ways such as machete, stoning to death or even spear and arrow. This event was a dark time for the country and there are a number of sites around the country where guests get to pay tribute to the fallen victims.

Since this 1994 Rwanda genocide, the country was left devasted and the economy was badly hit but in the fastest country has bounced back in 25 or so years. Rwanda’s tourism is one of the thriving sectors and has played a major role in rebuilding the economy.

7. Active tourism sector.

The tourism sector of Rwanda has been recognized by big tour groups such as the New York Times and the CNN travel who saw Rwanda as a big and worthy tourist destination. There is much more to see in Rwanda besides the mountain gorillas. Rwanda is a home to chimpanzees among the other 12 primate species in the country.

You can also visit Rwanda for a chance to visit the Big 5 animals in the Akagera national park.