History
The Twa (a Pygmy people) are the earliest known inhabitants of Rwanda.

Hutu people settled in Rwanda around the eleventh century and Tutsu people arrived some time in the fifteenth century.

In 1890 Rwanda and Burundi became part of German East Africa.

After the First World War Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi) was administered by Belgium as a League of Nations Trust Territory. Following the Second World War Ruanda-Urundi became a United Nations Trust Territory, also governed by Belgium.

In the years leading up to independence Rwanda suffered unrest; in 1959 the king was driven into exile in neighbouring Uganda.

Rwanda achieved independence in 1962 with Gregoire Kayibanda as president.

President Kayibanda was deposed by a military coup in 1973. Juvenal Habyarimana elected president in 1978.

In 1990 Rwanda was invaded from Uganda by the Rwandan Patriotic Front - largely composed of Rwandan refugees. An agreement was reached in 1993 to end the civil war (the Arusha Peace Accords).

In April 1994 the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi were both killed when their plane was shot down over Rwanda. The assassination of President Habyarimana gave rise to genocide that lasted until July 1994.

In 1995 the United Nations appointed an international tribunal to deal with a number of people responsible for the genocide.

Economy
Subsistence agriculture provides a livelihood for the majority of the working population. The agricultural sector earns a significant percentage of Rwanda's Gross Domestic Product.

Coffee and tea exports account for most of the country's foreign exchange earnings. Pyrethrum, an insecticide, is also exported. Other agricultural products include bananas, beans, sorghum and potatoes. Livestock is reared.

Industries are mining, cement, furniture, plastic goods, textiles, soap, shoes, cigarettes, agricultural products and beverages. (2008)

Arts
History and culture are passed on through the tradition of storytelling, poetry, and song.

Dancing and drumming are performed during ceremonies and at official events.

Crafts include pottery, basketwork, rugs and carving. Traditional crafts can been seen in the National Museum of Rwanda in Butare.

Sport
Football is the national sport in Rwanda. The national team has participated in the African Nations Cup. Athletics and swimming are also popular.

Holidays
All religious holidays are celebrated. Independence Day is on 1 July (1962 from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration).

News
News from Rwanda is available in Newslink.

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