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Rwanda

Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country located in the Great Rift Valley, where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. It is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Kigali is the capital and largest city. Rwanda's history has been marked by periods of ethnic tension, particularly between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi ethnic groups. This culminated in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, where about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in just 100 days. Since then, the country has made significant progress in terms of political stability, economic growth, and social reconciliation. The economy of Rwanda is based largely on subsistence agriculture, with coffee and tea being the major cash crops for export. In recent years, Rwanda has made remarkable strides in economic development, with a growing service sector, and initiatives in eco-tourism and information technology. Despite these advances, Rwanda remains a low-income country with a large portion of the population still engaged in subsistence farming. The population of Rwanda is predominantly from three ethnic groups: the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. The official languages are Kinyarwanda, French, English, and Swahili. The majority of Rwandans are Christian, with a small Muslim minority. Culturally, Rwanda is known for its traditional music and dance, which often involve drumming and intricate choreography. The country is also famous for its crafts, particularly basket weaving and pottery. Geographically, Rwanda is known as the "land of a thousand hills" due to its lush and mountainous landscape. It is home to a portion of the Albertine Rift Mountains, which include the Virunga mountain range. These mountains are one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered mountain gorilla, a major draw for tourists. Rwanda has made significant progress in governance and social development since the 1994 genocide where more than 1,100,000 people lost their lives. It is known for having one of the world's highest representations of women in parliament. The government has implemented various initiatives to foster national unity and reconciliation, including the Gacaca court system for genocide crimes and the annual commemoration of the genocide. Despite its tragic history, Rwanda has become a symbol of resilience and renewal, making significant strides in economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental conservation. The country continues to face challenges, including poverty, rural development, and regional security issues. Population of Rwanda from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 12.3 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 12.63 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 12.95 million inhabitants. Capital (Kigali): Population in 2020: About 1.1 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Kigali: 1.1 million Butare: 89,600 Gitarama: 87,613 Ruhengeri: 86,685 Gisenyi: 83,623 Byumba: 70,593 Cyangugu: 63,883 Kibuye: 48,024 Rwamagana: 47,203 Kibungo: 46,240 Rwanda is divided into 5 provinces.