The city of Kigali is the capital of the Republic of Rwanda and is located in the geographical heart of Rwanda. The city occupies an area of 730 square kilometers. Rwanda's territory is characterized by high terrain, which makes its climate moderate. Heavy rain falls almost daily during the rainy season (February-May and September-December) and is accompanied by sunny weather with an average annual high temperature of 27 degrees and an average annual low temperature of 16 degrees. The population of the city of Kigali is 1,745,555 people, according to the fifth Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC5). Kigali is also considered among the 10 safest cities in the world.
Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, has experienced rapid growth over the past two and a half decades. It is among the fastest growing cities in Africa with an annual urban growth rate of 4% and contributes more than 41% to the national GDP. Kigali was also classified as the smartest city in Africa in 2023. The majority of residents use advanced payment methods for all daily services (restaurants, cafes and taxis) through the Mobile Money service, which is available via any Rwandan phone number.
Geographic information
The Republic of Rwanda is located in central Africa, and is located south of the equator, between latitudes 1'04' and 2°51' south, and between longitudes 28053 and 30053' east. Its area is 26,338 square kilometers, and the country is surrounded by Uganda to the north, and Tanzania to the to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Burundi to the south.
Society
Rwanda, with an estimated total population of 13 million, is a relatively young country. 50% of Rwanda's population is young people under the age of 20, and the average age is 22.7 years.
Rwandans share cultural values, including unity, patriotism, social cohesion, resilience and hard work, among other features, and Kinyarwanda is considered a lingua franca in all provinces of the country. As for the other official languages, they are English, French, and Swahili.
Culture and heritage
Traditional Rwandan culture is linked to that of the people of the Great Lakes region of Africa. The pre-colonial monarchy impressed the region's first inhabitants with its sophisticated organization, which they could not attribute to an African people. Traditional belief in one God, language, proverbs, songs, drums and dance also occupy a large place in this culture, which is characterized by agricultural activities, livestock raising, hunting and gathering. In recent decades, culture has also been characterized by the desire to build and rebuild and make Rwanda pioneering and attractive to visitors. The cow and milk, spear with different geometric shapes, hoe, bow, banana wine and woven baskets are the most prominent symbols of Rwandan traditions.
People and politics
The Rwandan people are characterized by unique qualities, including calm, respect, discipline, and civility. The way of life of citizens in the capital, Kigali, is considered slow, calm, and very organized compared to other capitals in the world, especially on the African continent. The Rwandan people are also very interested in sports, specifically football, basketball, bicycle racing, volleyball, and golf and a large number of the capital’s residents practice sports activities during the weekend.