Speaking about which city is the capital of Rwanda, it should be noted that Kigali has such a status for only a little over sixty years. In general, this administrative center can be called a reflection of the entire state. The fact is that the local layout and buildings are no different from other cities and towns located in the country. Be that as it may, Kigali is a large metropolis even by European standards, because more than one million people live here.
Short story
In 1890, along with Burundi, the country of Rwanda became a German colony . Its capital was founded seventeen years later. Initially, it was the residence of the colonial government of Germany. In 1921, Rwanda became the property of Belgium, independence from which was proclaimed in 1962. After that, the city began to develop rapidly, from year to year gaining increasing political and cultural significance not only for the region of its location, but also for the entire state of Rwanda. The capital has experienced a great tragedy. In particular, in 1994, the city became the epicenter of genocide, which killed more than one million inhabitants of the country, and more specifically - the Hutu and Tutsi peoples.
general description
Kigali is located in the very center of Rwanda. It is noteworthy that as of 1946, less than six thousand inhabitants lived here. Currently, the population of the city has exceeded one million people. The capital of Rwanda is interesting in that it is dominated by one-story residential buildings. In this regard, it is not surprising that the city spread tens of kilometers along the curved slopes of a mountain valley. Because of this, it is unrealistic to see the whole of Kigali.
Government and administrative institutions, together with the largest political institutions and the richest houses, are located on a hill. Not far from the city is Kamebele International Airport. In the vicinity you can see large coffee plantations. With its mild climate, relaxed atmosphere and friendly residents, the capital of Rwanda attracts a large number of tourists every year. In this regard, Kigali boasts a good selection of hotels, restaurants and bars. As in the whole country, the streets here are pretty clean.
Transport and housing
The most affordable way to get around Kigali is minibuses. As in our country, their destination is indicated on the windshield. They ply both in intercity communication and between settlements. The next mode of transport is mototaxi. Its only drawback is that it carries only one person. On the other hand, having paid a few dollars, you can drive through half a city. Mototaxi drivers are always dressed in green vests and helmets, which are also offered to the passenger. The most expensive form of transport in Kigali is a taxi, which can be ordered by phone or stopped on the street. It should be borne in mind that there are no meters in the cars, therefore, when he sees a foreigner, the driver will probably increase the price. Thus, we can say that the capital of Rwanda is a rather expensive city in terms of transport.
As for housing, the situation here is similar. One place in a hostel in a room for eight people will cost an average of $ 20, while a hotel room costs about $ 150.
sights
In terms of availability of attractions, the capital of Rwanda is far from the most interesting city. It is a convenient starting point for trips to three national parks of the country (Akagera, Newngwe and Volcanoes National Park). As for Kigali itself, the Dr. Richard Candt Museum of Natural History is considered the main local attractions (since 1897, this person was looking for the source of the Nile River) and the National Museum located in the building of the former presidential palace. In addition to all this, tourists are rather willing to visit the old quarter of Nyamirabo, where you can get to know the everyday life of the local population, as well as several galleries and centers of folk craft and art.
Separate words deserve the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, dedicated to the tragic events of 1994. Then, in just a hundred days, during the conflict between the two ethnic groups (Hutu and Tutsi), more than one million people died. It is noteworthy that in the whole state at that time there were about 8 million people. The capital of Rwanda became the epicenter of those events. The center building was erected at the burial place of more than 250 thousand people who were then exterminated. Inside, there are many photographs of children killed by a machete, so tourists with weak nerves are not recommended to go inside.