Rwanda (Modern World Nations)

Rwanda. The very name evokes troubling images of unparalleled violence, senseless human atrocities, and genocide. The country is best known as the scene for one of the world's worst ethnic-based conflict. Approximately 1 million people were killed in 100 days in 1994, and millions more fled the country, while the world looked on passively, watching the daily carnage of human butchery on television. Rwanda is a tiny, landlocked country about the size of Maryland, but has many names. Due to its mostly hilly terrain, it has been called the "Land of a Thousand Hills."Early European travelers admiring Rwanda's natural beauty called the country the "Pearl of Africa." Others called it the "Switzerland of Africa" for its mountainous terrain. Native Rwandans have an even more profound name - "Rwanda Nziza," meaning "beautiful Rwanda." These many names capture different aspects of the incredible variety of natural beauty that is Rwanda. Featuring full-color photographs and maps, "Rwanda" explores the history, culture, geography, economy, and government of this African nation.