Kigali Province
| Kigali | |
|---|---|
Kigali, Rwanda
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 Kigali
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| Coordinates: 1°56′38″S 30°3′34″E / 1.94389°S 30.05944°ECoordinates: 1°56′38″S 30°3′34″E / 1.94389°S 30.05944°E | |
| Country | Rwanda |
| Province | Kigali City |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Pascal Nyamulinda (FPR) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 730 km2 (280 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,567 m (5,141 ft) |
| Population (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 745,261 |
| • Density | 1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CAT (UTC+2) |
| • Summer (DST) | none (UTC+2) |
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Districts
1. Gasabo 2. Kicukiro 3. Nyarugenge |
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| Website | www |
Kigali (Kinyarwanda: [ciɡɑlí]), with a population of more than 1 million (2012), is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation. The city has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of Rwanda are located in the city, as are the government ministries. The city is coterminous with the province of Kigali City, which was enlarged in January 2006, as part of local government reorganisation in the country. Kigali's city limits covers the whole province, it is consolidated. The city's urban area covers about 70% of the municipal boundaries.
Kigali was founded in 1907 by Dr. Richard Kandt under German colonial rule, but did not become the capital until Rwandan independence in 1962. The traditional capital was the seat of the mwami (Kings Yuhi V, Mutara III and Kigeli IV) in Nyanza, while the colonial seat of power was in Butare, then known as Astrida. Butare was initially the leading contender to be the capital of the new independent nation, but Kigali was chosen because of its more central location. Since then the city has grown very quickly and is now the major political, economic and cultural centre of Rwanda.
Beginning on April 6, 1994, Kigali was the scene of the Rwandan Genocide – the slaughter of approximately one million Tutsi by Hutu militias (Interahamwe), and some members of the Rwandan army. There was fierce fighting between the army (mostly Hutu) and Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front. Although damaged, the city's structure has recovered.
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