prehistoric times, consisted of montane forest in one third the territory of present-day Rwanda.

However,
natural vegetation is now mostly restricted to the three national parks and four small forest reserves, with
terraced agriculture dominating the rest of the country.[1][2] Geography[edit] Rwanda is a landlocked country
in Central Africa, bordered by Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. It measures
26,338 square kilometres (10,169 sq mi), of which 26,668 square kilometres (10,297 sq mi) is land and 1,670
square kilometres (640 sq mi) is water. Its highest point is Volcan Karisimbi at 4,519 metres (14,826 ft), while
its lowest point is the Rusizi River at 950 metres (3,120 ft). Rwanda's geography is dominated by savanna
grassland with approximately 46 percent considered arable land and 9.5 percent dedicated to permanent crops.
Grassy uplands and hills are predominant characteristics of the terrain, while the country's relief is described as
mountainous, its altitude demonstrating a decline from the west towards the east.[3] Left: The confluence of the
Kagera and Ruvubu rivers near Rusumo Falls, Rwanda/Tanzania. Right: Volcanoes National Park (background)
encompasses a portion of the Virungas volcanic chain, the last habitat of the mountain gorilla. A unique feature
in the geography and geology of Rwanda is Africa's Great Rift Valley. As part of this rift, Albertine Rift passes
through the Nyungwe forest. It is a mountainous feature that "as a whole, harbors more endemic birds,
mammals, and amphibians than any other region in Africa".[4] A rift valley is defined as: "A rift is where
sections of the earth are slowly spreading apart over millions of years, creating mountains, lakes, valleys and
volcanoes." Another feature is the Congo-Nile Divide. This mountain range passes through Rwanda in a north to
south direction.[4] Nyabarongo River is a major river in Rwanda, part of the upper headwaters of the Nile and
accounts for nearly 66% of the water resources of the country fed by a catchment which receives an annual
average rainfall of more than 2,000 mm.[4] The country has a temperate climate with rainy seasons twice per
year, February to April and again November to January. Temperatures in the mountains are mild, though there is
the possibility of frost and snow.[3] Protected areas[edit] Left: Gorilla mother and child in Volcanoes National
Park. Right: Young gorilla grabs tourist at Volcanoes National Park There are only three protected areas
established as national parks. The Akagera National Park covers 108,500 ha, Nyungwe National Park covers
101,900 ha and Volcanoes National Park covers 16,000 ha. In addition the forest reserves are the Gishwati
Forest Reserve (700 ha), Mukura Forest Reserve (1600 ha), Busaga Forest Reserve (150 ha) and Buhanga forest
and gallery forest in the eastern province (about 160 ha).[2] Nyungwe is the largest remaining tract of forest. It
contains 200 species of tree as well as orchids and begonias.[5] Vegetation in the Volcanoes National Park is
mostly bamboo and moorland, with small areas of forest.[1] By contrast, Akagera has a savanna ecosystem in
which acacia dominates the flora. There are several rare or endangered plant species in Akagera, including
Markhamia lutea and Eulophia guineensis.[2] In 2020, Gishwati-Mukura National Park was designated a World
Biosphere Reserve.[6] According to Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, in the Rwandan reserves,
"species conservation succeeds when local communities are placed at the heart of the conservation strategy.
Measures to protect biodiversity must go hand in hand with measures that meet the needs of these local
communities".[7] In Rwanda, the cost of a visit to see the gorillas is $1,500 per person. Under Rwandan law,
10% of these revenues must be returned to the community, which represents around 10 million euros invested in
the construction of schools, roads and drinking water supplies. In 1980, there were just 250 mountain gorillas;
today there are 1,063, 80% of them in Rwanda.[8]" Flora[edit] Nymphaea thermarum is endemic to Rwanda.
The forest cover in Rwanda as of 2007 accounted for 240,746 ha comprising humid natural forests in 33.15%
area, degraded natural forests covering 15.79%, bamboo forest of 1.82%, savannas accounting for 1.55%, large
eucalyptus plantations to the extent of 26.4%, recent plantations of eucalyptus and coppices and 5.01 percent of
Pinus plantations.[2] Montane forest, one of the most ancient forests dated to even before the Last Ice Age
which has a richness of 200 species of trees, many flowering plants including the giant lobelia and many
colourful orchids.[9] There are more than 140 species of orchids in the wildlife area of Nyungwe forest.[10]
There are four defined forest categories. These are the Congo Nile Ridge Forest, a natural forest that
encompasses the national parks and reserves; the savanna and gallery-forests; forest plantations consisting of
species of Eucalyptus, Pinus, and Grevillea robusta; and agroforestry areas in farmlands and also anti-erosion
measures.[2] The world's smallest water lily, Nymphaea thermarum, was endemic not only to Rwanda but to
the damp mud formed by the overflow of a freshwater hot spring in Mashyuza.[11] It became extinct in the wild
about 2008 when local farmers began using the spring for agriculture. The farmers cut off the flow of the spring,
which dried up the tiny area—just a few square meters—that was the lily's entire habitat.[11] Carlos Magdalena,
at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, managed to germinate some of the last 20 seeds; eight began to flourish
and mature within weeks, and in November 2009, the waterlilies flowered for the first time.[12] A wild
population of Nymphaea thermarum was discovered in 2023.[13] Fauna[edit] Main article: List of mammals in
Rwanda The greatest diversity of large mammals is found in the three national parks, which are designated
conservation ar
**Multiple Choice Questions:**

1. What is the highest point in Rwanda?

A) Nyungwe Forest
 B) Rusizi River
C) Volcan Karisimbi
D) Kagera River

**Correct Answer: C) Volcan Karisimbi**

2. Which national park in Rwanda has a savanna ecosystem dominated by acacia flora?
A) Nyungwe National Park
B) Akagera National Park
C) Volcanoes National Park
D) Gishwati-Mukura National Park

**Correct Answer: B) Akagera National Park**

**Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:**

1. Nyungwe Forest contains _______ species of trees as well as orchids and begonias.

**Correct Answer: 200**

2. The world's smallest water lily, Nymphaea thermarum, was endemic to Rwanda but became extinct in the
wild about 2008 when local farmers began using the spring for _______.

**Correct Answer: agriculture**

**Works Cited:**

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwanda
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyungwe_Forest
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akagera_National_Park
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanoes_National_Park
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gishwati-Mukura_National_Park