Rwanda and Its Neighbours in East Africa

1The long road from the sea

Mugisha's uncle drives a lorry. Each month he carries goods from the port of Mombasa in Kenya, through Uganda, into Rwanda at the Gatuna border post in Gicumbi, and on to Kigali. "Rwanda is at the heart of Africa," he tells Mugisha, "so I drive through two other countries before I get home."

2Rwanda's four neighbours

Rwanda shares its borders with four countries:

3Water along the borders

• Lake Kivu, Rwanda's largest lake, lies along much of the western border with the DRC.
• The Rusizi River in the south-west flows out of Lake Kivu. At about 950 metres above sea level, it is the lowest place in Rwanda.
• The Akagera River runs along much of the eastern border with Tanzania.

4Rwanda in East Africa

When your lessons talk about East Africa, they usually mean Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. These five countries also belong to a bigger group called the East African Community (EAC), which today has eight members. You will learn more about the EAC in the unit on civics.

Rwanda covers 26,338 km². It is the smallest of these countries in area. Burundi is only a little bigger.

5Drawing the map of East Africa

1. Draw the outline of Rwanda in the centre-left of your page.
2. Add Uganda above it, Tanzania to the right and below, Burundi below Rwanda and the DRC to the left.
3. Kenya goes to the right of Uganda, touching Tanzania. Kenya and Tanzania reach the Indian Ocean; Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi do not.
4. Label every country and capital, and add a title, key and north arrow.

Try it yourself