Ruhengeri, also known as Musanze or Muhoza, is the third largest city in Rwanda and the capital of Musanze District in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The city has a population of 135,000 as of the 2022 census.[1]
Ruhengeri
Musanze | |
---|---|
Ruhengeri Location in Rwanda | |
Coordinates: 1°30′S 29°38′E / 1.500°S 29.633°E | |
Country | Rwanda |
Admin. Province | Northern Province |
District | Musanze |
Area | |
• Muhoza sector | 8.17 sq mi (21.15 km2) |
Elevation | 6,178 ft (1,883 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 135,000 |
• Muhoza sector | 69,741 |
• Muhoza sector density | 8,500/sq mi (3,300/km2) |
Climate | Cfb |
Some sources now refer to the city itself as Musanze, after the district in which it lies within.[3] This has to do with the adopted policy of renaming Rwanda cities, which was done to eliminate memories of the past and to install new administrations in the country.[citation needed]
Ruhengeri lies near the twin lakes of Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo and is the gateway city to Volcanoes National Park and the famous mountain gorillas in the north-western part of the country.
The city's proximity to the Volcanoes National Park has made it a popular tourist destination with several restaurants and hotels mainly aimed at visitors to the national park.
Ruhengeri is also home to the Institute of Applied Sciences (INES-Ruhengeri).[4] INES-Ruhengeri was established in 2003 in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Ruhengeri.[5]
The city is served by the Ruhengeri Airport.[6]
1°30′S 29°38′E / 1.500°S 29.633°E