Rwanda
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Rwanda -- Transport

Rwanda is 1,500 kilometers from the Indian Ocean. Since Rwanda has no rail network, it relies on two main export routes to the Indian Ocean: one by lake and rail to Dar es Salaam, and the other by road to Mombasa. This route through Mombasa normally carries more than 70% of Rwanda's imports and about 80% of exports. Rwanda's external trade is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in economic and political relations with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Despite its political difficulties, Rwanda's arterial roads remain in good condition. There are about 1,200 kilometers of tarred roads and another 12,000 kilometers of unpaved main and secondary roads. In 1992 there were 27,441 registered vehicles. Commercial transport is largely in private hands. The country has no rail network, but Kanombe airport has been repaired and is functioning. The Belgian carrier, Sabena, has scheduled direct flights to Kigali. The capitol can be easily reached from Kampala, Nairobi, and Bujumbura.

Railways: 0 km
Highways:
total: 12,000 km
paved: 1,000 km
unpaved: 11,000 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft
Ports and harbors: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye
Airports: 7 (1997 est.)
Airportswith paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)

Airportswith unpaved runways:
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)

Source: CIA World Fact Book, 1999

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