Facts

Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Area (only Total) total: 26,338 sq km

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

Population: 10,186,063

Main Language (only first): Kinyarwanda

Government type: republic; presidential, multiparty system

Capital (Name): Kigali

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)