Rwanda (see map below) is a landlocked country in east central Africa along the western branch of the Great Rift Valley, which is its western border. Lake Kivu, on the western side, lies within the valley. North of it are the Virunga Mountains, which are of volcanic origin. Some are still active volcanoes. This is a habitat of the mountain gorilla. The highest point in the country, at 14,787 ft. (4,507 m), is the volcano Karisimbi. The Virunga Mountains are part of the rift system. From the rift in the west, to the east, the altitude declines, and is mostly made up of grassy hills/uplands. The climate is temperate, with two rainy seasons each year, February to April and November to January. Frost and snow occur in the mountainous regions.

Rwanda lies 2 degrees south of the equator. 35% of the land is fit for cultivation. Forests make up 22%, and pasturelands 18%. Total area is 10,169 square miles (26,338 sq km). Kigali, in central Rwanda, has an average annual temperature of 66° F, and rainfall of 40 inches.

Lake Kivu in Rwanda is quite interesting. A rift valley lake, it contains high amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. These gases are concentrated at the bottom, but an overturn of the lake could have deadly results, such as what happened at Lake Nyos, Cameroon in August of 1986, when some unknown event caused the carbon dioxide to come to the surface and be released, suffocating all living things in its path. Volcanoes on the lake's rim occasionally erupt, sending lava into the lake. Though it hasn't happened recently, such an event could cause an overturn. The methane in the lake is an untapped treasure, but could also cause explosions in the event of an overturn.

Called the Land of a Thousand Hills, the area of Rwanda that is north of the lake is considered spectacular, and safaris are a popular tourist attraction. The Virunga chain of volcanoes dominates the landscape, and are home to the greatest concentration of the nearly extinct mountain gorillas.

On the map of Africa, below, the red country is Rwanda. The heavy black lines trace the Great Rift Valley fault system.

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Flags courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries. Used with permission.