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 Tutsi in 1994.
The first goal was to decentralise power. The perception was that Rwanda's centralised governing system had been a contributing factor to the genocide. The new provinces are more multiethnic than the previous twelve which helps to weaken ethnic divisions. Finally, the new provinces do not have the associations that the previous twelve had with events from the genocide.
Until 2002, the provinces were called prefectures.Provinces
As of January 1, 2006 the five provinces of Rwanda are:
| Province | Kinyarwanda name | Capital | Area
| Population
| Density
|
| Kigali | Umujyi wa Kigali | Kigali City | 730 | 1,132,686 | 1,551.62 |
| Southern | Amajyepfo | Nyanza | 5,963 | 2,589,975 | 434.34 |
| Western | Iburengerazuba | Kibuye | 5,883 | 2,471,239 | 420.06 |
| Northern | Amajyaruguru | Byumba | 3,276 | 1,726,370 | 526.97 |
| Eastern | Iburasirazuba | Rwamagana | 9,458 | 2,595,703 | 274.44 |
Eastern Province
Northern Province
Western Province
Southern Province
Kigali
Former provinces
Prior to 2006 the provinces were:
- Butare Province
- Byumba Province
- Cyangugu Province
- Gikongoro Province
- Gisenyi Province
- Gitarama Province
- Kibungo Province
- Kibuye Province
- Kigali City
- Kigali-Rural Province
- Ruhengeri Province
- Umutara Province
