Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Kigali

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
High Angle View Of Kigali City Street on November 29, 2018. Emmanuel Kwizera
city

The name Kigali means 'wide' or 'broad' in Kinyarwanda and was originally applied to Mount Kigali.

Kigali
Rwanda
Tap to learn more
city

Kigali

Rwanda

Country
Rwanda
Population
1.1M
Coordinates
-1.97, 30.10
280th most populous city in the world

Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City, is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 1 permalink
High Angle View Of Kigali City Street on November 29, 2018. Emmanuel Kwizera
city

Kigali was founded in 1907 when German administrator Richard Kandt established it as the headquarters of Rwanda.

Kigali
Rwanda
Tap to learn more
city

Kigali

Rwanda

Country
Rwanda
Population
1.1M
Coordinates
-1.97, 30.10
280th most populous city in the world

Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City, is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 2 permalink
High Angle View Of Kigali City Street on November 29, 2018. Emmanuel Kwizera
city

Kigali is located in a region of rolling hills, with an average elevation of 1,567 m (5,141 ft) above sea level.

Kigali
Rwanda
Tap to learn more
city

Kigali

Rwanda

Country
Rwanda
Population
1.1M
Coordinates
-1.97, 30.10
280th most populous city in the world

Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City, is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 3 permalink
High Angle View Of Kigali City Street on November 29, 2018. Emmanuel Kwizera
city

Kigali has been ranked the 'cleanest city in Africa' in recent years.

Kigali
Rwanda
Tap to learn more
city

Kigali

Rwanda

Country
Rwanda
Population
1.1M
Coordinates
-1.97, 30.10
280th most populous city in the world

Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City, is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.

From the “Cityscape” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 4 permalink
High Angle View Of Kigali City Street on November 29, 2018. Emmanuel Kwizera
city

As of the 2022 Rwandan census, the population of Kigali was 1,745,555.

Kigali
Rwanda
Tap to learn more
city

Kigali

Rwanda

Country
Rwanda
Population
1.1M
Coordinates
-1.97, 30.10
280th most populous city in the world

Kigali, officially the City of Kigali also known as Kigali City, is the capital, largest city, and a province-level administrative unit of Rwanda. It is located near the country's geographic centre, in a landscape of rolling hills marked by valleys and ridges connected by steep slopes.

From the “Demographics” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Emmanuelkwizera · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 5 permalink