| Every year thousands of people from
all over the world come to Canada to begin a new life. They arrive with
many different skills and with the hope of contributing to their new society.
This cultural profile was written to help Canadians welcome Rwandan newcomers
to Canada. It describes life in Rwanda and some aspects of Rwandan culture.
This information will be useful if you are hosting a Rwandan family as
part of the HOST program, learning about Rwanda in school or working with
Rwandan colleagues who have recently arrived in Canada.
In the early 1990s, many Rwandans came to
Canada as refugees to escape the civil war that ravaged their country.
Today, some Rwandans come to Canada to pursue higher education. Like all
recent immigrants, Rwandans may find aspects of their new home unfamiliar.
They will have questions about health care, employment, housing, school
and even shopping. You can help by answering their questions. Not only
will your help make their adjustment to life in Canada easier, you will
also discover that you can learn a great deal from your new friends.
Although this cultural profile provides insight
into some customs, it does not cover all facets of life in Rwanda. The
customs described may not apply in equal measure to all newcomers from
Rwanda.
|
Summary Fact Sheet |
 |
| Official
Name |
Republic of Rwanda |
| Capital |
Kigali |
| Type of
Government |
Republic |
| Population |
8.1 million |
| Area |
26,340 sq. km |
| Major
Ethnic Groups |
Hutu, Tutsi, Twa |
| Languages |
Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French, English |
| Religions |
Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs |
| Unit of
Currency |
Rwandan franc |
| National
Flag |
Three equal vertical bands of red,
yellow and green, with a large black letter R in the centre |
| Date of
Independence |
July 1, 2021 |
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Did you know? |
| Rwanda
is Africa's most densely populated country. More than eight million people
live in a country that is less than half the size of Nova Scotia. More
than 90% of the population lives in rural areas. |
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