Filed under Africa and more precisely Eastern Africa, Rwanda is a sovereign state. In formal use it is Republic of Rwanda. Kigali is the capital.
Around 14.3 million people live there, placing it 77th of 250 by population — between Benin above it and Burundi below. Among the 20 entries in Eastern Africa it ranks 13th by area and 11th by population.
By land area it covers 26,338 km², which ranks it 150th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Haiti and just ahead of North Macedonia. For scale, it is around a fifth smaller than Belgium.
Where Rwanda is and what surrounds it
Its reference point sits at 2.0° south and 30.0° east, which puts it in the southern hemisphere, roughly 223 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.
Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Ecuador and Nauru.
Its land neighbours number 4: Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. The largest of them by area is DR Congo, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 241.9 million people.
Rwanda is landlocked. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, which reliably raises the cost of trade, because port access depends on a transit agreement with a neighbour. 2 of its neighbours, Burundi and Uganda, are landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
People, population and language
Population divided by land area gives roughly 541 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.
The demonym is Rwandan, so residents are Rwandans.
It recognises 3 languages: English, French and Kinyarwanda. Kinyarwanda is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to Rwanda. English, the first listed, is shared with 90 other entries worldwide.
Inside Africa it places 29th of 59 by population, and it accounts for 2.9% of everyone living in Eastern Africa.
Money, internet and phone codes
The currency is the Rwandan franc (Fr, RWF). No other entry in this dataset uses it, so the currency is specific to Rwanda.
Its internet country code is .rw. Calls from overseas start with +250. In ISO terms it is rw in two letters and RWA in three.
Kigali is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.
As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.
Neighbouring countries
Rwanda shares borders with 4 countries:
Fun facts about Rwanda
- In land area it is around a fifth smaller than Belgium.
- It is 77th of 250 by population, with about 14.3 million residents.
- Its full official name is Republic of Rwanda.
- It is landlocked, one of 45 entries here with no coastline of its own.
- Population density works out at roughly 541 people per square kilometre.
- English is official here and in 90 other entries worldwide.
- Within Eastern Africa it is the 13th largest of 20.
- Kinyarwanda is listed as an official language for no other entry in this dataset.
Rwanda — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Rwanda?
- The capital of Rwanda is Kigali.
- Which countries border Rwanda?
- Rwanda borders 4 countries: Burundi, DR Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. DR Congo is the largest of them by area.
- Is Rwanda landlocked?
- Yes. Rwanda has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.
- What currency does Rwanda use?
- Rwanda uses the Rwandan franc, written Fr (currency code RWF). No other entry in this dataset uses it.
- Where is Rwanda located?
- Rwanda is in Eastern Africa, part of Africa. Its reference coordinates are 2.0° south and 30.0° east, roughly 223 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.
- What is the population of Rwanda?
- Rwanda has a population of about 14.3 million, which makes it the 77th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Benin sits just above it and Burundi just below.
- What language is spoken in Rwanda?
- Rwanda lists 3 official languages: English, French and Kinyarwanda. Kinyarwanda does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.
- Is Rwanda a country?
- Yes. Rwanda is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.
- How big is Rwanda?
- Rwanda covers 26,338 km², ranking 150th of 250 by land area. That makes it around a fifth smaller than Belgium.
