Geography of Rwanda
Location
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic Coordinates
2 00, 30 00
Geographical Area
Land
24,948 Sq Km.
Water
1,390 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
893 Km.
Border Countries
Burundi
290 Km.
Congo (DRC)
217 Km.
Tanzania
217 Km.
Uganda
169 Km.
Length of Coastline
Unknown
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
46%
Permanent Crops
10%
Other
44%
Irrigated Land
90 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Environmental Issues
Deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching
