Understanding Rwanda in Reference to Its Location
Senior 3 · History and Citizenship
Understanding Rwanda in Reference to Its Location
Lesson 2 of 3
20 min
Almost everything Rwanda buys or sells by sea, such as fuel, machines, cement, coffee and tea, travels along one of two routes. Study the map.
Analysing the map. Both routes are long and cross other countries. A container landed at Mombasa must cross Kenya and Uganda before it reaches Rwanda; one landed at Dar es Salaam must cross most of Tanzania. Every border, every kilometre and every delay adds to the price that Rwandans pay for imports and lowers what farmers earn for exports. On the other hand, the map shows Rwanda at a crossroads: between the ports of the Indian Ocean and the markets of eastern DR Congo and Burundi.
Definition
Transport corridor: a main route, by road, rail, pipeline or water, that links a region to a port or market. Example: the Northern Corridor from Mombasa.
Transit country: a country through which goods pass on their way to another country. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are transit countries for Rwanda.
One-stop border post: a border crossing where the officials of both countries check people and goods once, together, instead of twice.
Hub: a central place through which people, goods, money or information pass.
From 21 Days to Just 3, East African Community (EAC). Watch for what the EAC Single Customs Territory changed for goods travelling from the port of Mombasa to inland countries such as Rwanda, and why fewer stops at borders lowers costs.
Worked example: comparing the routes
Question: A trader must bring goods from the coast to Kigali. Using the map, give one advantage of each route. (4 marks)
Central Corridor: it is shorter, about 1,400 km against about 1,700 km, so fuel and driving time cost less. (2 marks)
Northern Corridor: it passes through more large cities, such as Nairobi and Kampala, where the trader can also buy and sell goods; it is a second option if the other route is blocked. (2 marks)
Having two routes is itself an advantage: it reduces dependence on any single neighbour.
Some say being landlocked condemns a country to poverty. Others point to landlocked countries that have done well through good relations, air transport and services. What would you advise Rwanda to do to turn its location into an advantage?
Tip
Always both sides. "Location" questions usually expect advantages and disadvantages. Give at least two of each, with a named place or figure: "about 1,700 km to Mombasa", "the Rusumo crossing", "Lake Kivu methane".
Practice
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
