Environment
Primary 6 · English
Environment
Lesson 2 of 4
18 min
Let's begin
Gatete's class has a big map of Rwanda on the wall. The teacher hands him a card that says NYUNGWE FOREST and asks him to pin it in the right place.
Gatete holds the pin over the map and hesitates. North? West? Today you will learn where Rwanda's key resources are, and the words that tell someone exactly where a place is.
There are four main directions: north, south, east and west. Between them are north-east, north-west, south-east and south-west. Rwanda has four neighbours: Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the west.
| Location words | Example |
|---|---|
| in the north / south / east / west of | Akagera National Park is in the east of Rwanda. |
| along (a river, a border, a road) | Lake Kivu lies along the border with the DRC. |
| on the shores of (a lake) | Rubavu stands on the shores of Lake Kivu. |
| on (a slope, a hill) | Gorillas live on the slopes of the volcanoes. |
| near, around, between | Tea grows on the hills near Nyungwe Forest. |
| past, through (for rivers and roads) | The Nyabarongo River flows past Kigali. |
Useful verbs: a place lies, is found or is located somewhere; a river flows; a country borders another.
Careful! In the east of Rwanda means inside the country, in its eastern part. East of Kigali means somewhere to the east when you compare it with Kigali. Both are correct, but they are not the same.
Rwanda is a small country, but it is rich in natural resources. Let us travel around it.
In the west, Lake Kivu lies along the border with the DRC. It is Rwanda's biggest lake. Fishermen catch small fish called isambaza in its waters at night. Deep under the lake there is methane gas, which is used to make electricity. Towns such as Rubavu, Karongi and Rusizi stand on the shores of the lake.
In the south-west is Nyungwe Forest, one of the oldest mountain rainforests in Africa. Chimpanzees and many kinds of monkeys live in it, and many streams begin there. Tea grows on the cool hills near the forest.
In the north-west, the Virunga volcanoes rise along the borders with Uganda and the DRC. Mountain gorillas live on their slopes in Volcanoes National Park, and the rich volcanic soil around Musanze grows excellent potatoes.
In the north, the Rugezi wetland soaks up rainwater like a giant sponge and feeds Lakes Burera and Ruhondo.
In the east, Akagera National Park lies along the border with Tanzania. Its grassy plains, lakes and swamps are home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions and buffaloes.
In the centre of the country, the Nyabarongo, Rwanda's longest river, flows past Kigali. Its water is used for farming, and the clay in its valleys is used to make bricks.
Minerals such as tin, tungsten and coltan are dug from mines in many parts of the country, especially in the west and the north.
Worked example
answer in a full sentence. Where is Nyungwe Forest?
Step 1 Scan the passage for the name Nyungwe.
Step 2 Find the location words in the same sentence: in the south-west.
Step 3 Answer with a full sentence: Nyungwe Forest is in the south-west of Rwanda.
Tip
Never Eat Sour Watermelons
Start at the top of the map and go round like the hands of a clock: North, East, South, West. Then put the resource on your mental map: volcanoes top left (north-west), Nyungwe bottom left (south-west), Lake Kivu all along the left (west), Akagera on the right (east).
Use the passage and the map, then check.
In which part of Rwanda is Akagera National Park?
Answer: in the east, along the border with Tanzania.
Which lake lies along Rwanda's western border?
Answer: Lake Kivu. It lies along the border with the DRC.
Write in, on or at: Mountain gorillas live ___ the slopes of the volcanoes.
Answer: on. We live on a slope or a hill, and in a country or a forest.
Which resource is found deep under Lake Kivu, and what is it used for?
Answer: methane gas. It is used to make electricity.
Describe where your school is, using two location words.
Answer: for example, “Our school is on a hill near the main road, between the market and the health centre.”
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
In which part of Rwanda do the Virunga volcanoes rise?
