Top 15+ Interesting Facts About Rwanda : A little African nation called Rwanda is well known for the horrifying genocide that took place there in 1994. It was among the most awful moments in history, not just for Rwanda but also for the entire planet. But it also marked a turning point in the history of the nation. Since then, it has started on a new path of social, economic, and ecological growth, and it should be remembered for more than just the 1994 events. Here are some intriguing facts about Rwanda that will pique your interest and make you want to visit this country:
COMMON FACTS ABOUT RWANDA
This African nation, officially known as the “Republic of Rwanda,” is home to about 13.5 million people. In addition to its stunning capital, Rwanda is well-known for its gorilla tourism. This nation has a rough and arid landscape, amazing people, and a lengthy history. Apart from that, a lot of fascinating facts about Rwanda will capture your attention.
HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT RWANDA
Rwanda is over 1,000 years old.
While we cannot say with certainty how ancient Rwanda is now, we can state that it is older than 1000 years. According to some theories, the area may have been inhabited as early as the Neolithic or late glacial epoch, roughly 8000 BC.
The Hutu people moved to present-day Rwanda between the fifth and eleventh centuries. Early in the 14th century, the Tutsi people closely followed them. Hanning Speke was the first European to set foot in the area, arriving in 1858. Germany colonized Rwanda after that in 1890, followed by Belgium in 1916. The nation achieved independence in 1962.
The two nations joined when the colony became independent in 1962 after being administered by Germany and then Belgium as a European colony. After gaining independence, the two nations once again split into Rwanda and Burundi, both of which are now independent.
Therefore, the fact that Burundi and Rwanda have considerable cultural overlap is not particularly remarkable. Beyond adopting European civilizations, the two nations are closely related since they both speak and practice similar native languages.
Rwanda Genocide
One of the most regrettable things about Rwanda is that the most infamous modern-day genocide took place in that nation. The Tutsi group was the target of a genocide. A portion of the Hutu ethnic group, which made up the majority, spearheaded it.
It began in the nation’s capital, Kigali, and quickly spread throughout the country. It was unimaginably terrible. Here is a fact about the genocide in Rwanda: It only lasted 100 days, from April to July of 1994. However, it did result in the deaths of just under a million people and the displacement of at least 2 million people.
However, despite the horror of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has miraculously recovered and rebounded. After that, ranking as one of the safest nations in Africa is no small accomplishment.
Ruanda-Urundi
Did you know that Rwanda is a country? It was formerly known as Ruanda-Urundi. After merging Rwanda and Burundi, a second little African country that borders Rwanda to the north, the name was created. Prior to the German invasion in 1894, they were both sovereign nations.
OTHER INTERESTING FACTS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT RWANDA
Plastic bags are banned.
What you might not anticipate from an African nation is that it would be among the world’s cleanest. Rwanda is a case in point. There is rarely any trash present, and its public areas are consistently incredibly clean. That is partially attributable to the nation’s 2008 ban on plastic bags. Officials will inspect your luggage as you enter the country, and they’ll ask you to take out any plastic bags you might have.
The highest percentage of women in parliament in the world
Rwanda has the greatest proportion of female lawmakers in the world, with almost 60% of its members being female.
Every last Saturday of the month is community work day.
People across the country take part in community initiatives from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month. It is called Umuganda and is required. People across the nation participate in activities like mowing the grass, clearing the streets, and building schools. This custom is intended to help people come together after the genocide as well as keep everything neat and orderly.
It is home to endangered mountain gorillas.
The Virunga Massif, of which Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a part, is home to about 60% of this species’ population. Given that humans and gorillas share more than 97% of the same genetic code, witnessing a gorilla in its natural environment is an unforgettable experience. Rwanda is very dedicated to conservation. This implies that a gorilla tracking safari excursion, which costs more than $1000, can only accommodate less than 100 tourists each day.
It’s known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Rwanda is known for its steep and hilly landscape. The average elevation of the nation is 1,000 meters above sea level, and it never falls below it.
It was part of Germany.
Together with Tanzania, Rwanda was a part of Germany before it joined the Belgian Empire following World War One.
One of the most horrific genocides in history happened here.
Hutus and Tutsis make up the majority of the people of Rwanda. These two ethnic groups have historically engaged in warfare, despite the fact that Rwandans are striving extremely hard to put their differences behind them. The violence reached its height in 1994, when the Hutus massacred almost a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus over the course of only about 100 days. With both soldiers and civilians using machetes and clubs as weapons, it is one of the fastest and most violent genocides in history.
It inspired some of the greatest movies of all time.
The 2014 drama “Hotel Rwanda” was based on the true account of Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines, who was able to stop the 1994 genocide and rescue hundreds of lives. Now that it has opened, this hotel is among those that visitors to Kigali most frequently choose.
The 1998 drama “Gorillas in the Mist” is another well-regarded drama that was inspired by true occurrences. It chronicles the tale of biologist Dian Fossey, who spent a great deal of time studying mountain gorillas and working to preserve them. In fact, one of the most well-known hiking trails bears her name and links to both her research site and tomb.
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa.
It is the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated average population density of 274.6 people per square kilometer.
Rwanda has four official languages.
The official languages of Rwanda are French, English, Kinyarwanda, and Kiswahili.
Rwanda hosts a car-free day.
Rwanda has a car-free day every month to encourage sustainable living and healthy lifestyles. On these days, Rwanda’s streets are crowded with people engaging in outdoor sports like roller skating, biking, and running.
Rwanda is one of the cleanest nations on Earth.
In addition to a ten-year ban on plastic bags and packaging, residents also participate in a monthly community cleanup event called Umuganda. Umuganda, which means “coming together for a common purpose,” was introduced to Rwandan culture in 1998 and entails anything from restoring marshes and forests to constructing clinics and schools. The last Saturday of every month is when visitors and expats are invited to roll up their sleeves and help out, even though Umuganda is required for Rwandan citizens 18 to 35 years old.
You’ll find some of the best coffee in the world here.
High in the highlands is where great coffee is known to flourish. You can find some of the best coffee in the world here, mostly of the bourbon variety, an incredibly buttery, full-bodied liquid gold, thanks to Rwanda’s high altitude and tropical climate. Additionally, Rwanda’s expanding coffee fields are a sight to behold. As far as the eye can see, green hills are covered in glossy leaves that contrast beautifully with the glistening lakes and cloud forests.
The bar for sustainable eco-tourism is set high.
Rwanda has made a conscious effort to promote exclusive, low-footprint travel that supports local communities and the environment, taking inspiration from places like Bhutan and Botswana. One of our favorite eco-lodges is Singita Kwitonda Lodge, which prioritizes sustainability, forestry projects, and wildlife conservation. The resort is vital to the preservation of natural areas and critically endangered species. Rwanda is a leader in eco-conscious travel, with a large number of its resorts following the Bioregional’s One Planet Living Sustainability Framework.
Rwanda will become the first African nation to host the Road World Championships.
The International Cycling Union has announced that Kigali, Rwanda, will host the 2025 Road World Championships, a first for Africa. The competition for the bid was close between Rwanda and Morocco. It’s no surprise that Rwanda has recently become a popular destination for cyclists given the tremendous variety of breathtaking panoramas, difficult ascents, and exhilarating descents. The nation has a long history of hosting the Tour du Rwanda, where tens of thousands of spectators show up to support cyclists from the country and its neighbors. The 2025 Road World Championships are expected to rank among the most eagerly awaited sporting occasions in Rwandan cycling history, riding the wave of the Tour’s cult following.
It’s very safe.
One of the safest nations in the world is without doubt Rwanda. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Rwanda’s next-door neighbor, which has caused it to drop in the rankings, although 83 percent of its inhabitants say they feel comfortable traveling alone at night. The African continent’s capital, Kigali, is still considered to be the safest, making it a popular choice for lone travelers.
DISCOVERING MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT RWANDA
Beautiful Rwanda has many undiscovered beauties for travelers to find. There are many things that make Rwanda a wonderful country, like its cleanliness, a strong dedication to gender equality, great coffee types, car-free days, and motivational movies. Plan a trip as soon as you have the opportunity if you want to discover more fascinating facts about Rwanda and everything that it has to offer. There is no better way to learn about a country than to go visit it.
