Provinces of Rwanda


The provinces of Rwanda are divided into districts and municipalities. Prior to January 1, 2006, Rwanda was composed of 12 provinces. The Rwandan government decided to establish new provinces in an attempt to address issues that arose from the genocide against the Tutsis. The new provinces were to be "ethnically-diverse administrative areas".
Until 2002, the provinces were called prefectures.

Administrative divisions

Since January 1, 2006, the administrative divisions of Rwanda comprise four provinces and the City of Kigali:
Province / CityKinyarwanda nameCapital / SeatArea
Population
Density
City of KigaliUmujyi wa KigaliNyarugenge7301,745,5552,391
Southern ProvinceAmajyepfoNyanza5,9633,002,699503.6
Western ProvinceIburengerazubaKibuye5,8832,896,484492.4
Northern ProvinceAmajyaruguruByumba3,2762,038,511622.3
Eastern ProvinceIburasirazubaRwamagana9,4583,563,145376.7

Former provinces

Prior to 2006 the provinces were: