Rwanda is a small land-locked country, literally in the heart of Africa. It has borders with Tansania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is also known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills".

The country is densely populated: though it covers no more than 26.000 km2 the latest National census in 2003 came to a population of 8.4 million inhabitants. Life expectancy at birth is 47 years for men and 49 for women.

Rwanda is dependent on its agriculture as there are no significant natural resources or big industry. The main exports are coffee and tea, moreover Rwanda grows bananas, Maniok, beans, sweet potatoe, pinapple and passion fruits.