Kingdom of Rwanda (1650-1961), Rwandan Republic (1961-2003), Republic of Rwanda (2003-present)
Independent Country (1650-1897, 1962-present), Part of German East Africa (1897-1922), Part of Ruanda-Urundi (1922-1962)
Location: East Africa
Capital City: Nyanza (1650-1962), Kigali (1962-present)
Government type: Absolute Monarchy (1650-1959),Constitutional Monarchy (1959-1961), Republic (1961-present)
Main languages: Kinyarwanda, French, Swahili
Main religions: Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity
Chronology
1650: Kingdom of Rwanda founded by King Ruganzu I (approximate date)
1884: German protectorate
1897: Part of German East Africa
1916: Belgian occupation
1922: Part of Ruanda-Urundi
1961: Gitarama coup, King Kigeli V overthrown by Hutu ultranationalists, establishing a republic
1962: Independence restored
1973: Military coup by Juvénal Habyarimana
1990-1994: Rwandan civil war
1994: Habyarimana assassinated, prompting Hutu groups to launch the Rwandan genocide, killing around 600,000 Tutsi, Twa, and Hutu moderates for four months until Rwandan opposition led by Paul Kagame deposes the government and defeats the Hutu militias.
2003: Current constitution enacted
Currency
Franc (1964-present)
1 Franc = 100 Centimes
Coins from Rwanda in the collection
•1 Franc, 1974 (aluminum, Llantrisant mint, KM#12)
•1 Franc, 1985 (aluminum, Llantrisant mint, KM#12)
•1 Franc, 2003 (aluminum, KM#22)
•2 Franc, 1970 (aluminum-magnesium, London mint, KM#10) Commemorative: FAO
•10 Franc, 1974 (cupronickel, Llantrisant mint, KM#14.1)
•10 Franc, 2003 (brass-plated steel, Llantrisant mint, KM#24)
•20 Franc, 2003 (nickel-plated steel, Llantrisant mint, KM#25)
•100 Franc, 2007 (copper-plated steel center in nickel-plated steel ring, Llantrisant mint, KM#32
Banknotes from Rwanda in the collection
•20 Franc, 1976 (P#6)