Idjwi

Idjwi
	Idjwi, in the central-southern region of Lake Kivu
	Idjwi
Geography
Location	Lake Kivu
Coordinates	2°09′57″S 29°03′22″E / 2.165851°S 29.056091°E
Area	340 km2 (130 sq mi)
Length	70 km (43 mi)
Highest point	Nyamusisi
Administration
	Democratic Republic of the Congo
Demographics
Population	250,000 (2009)
Pop. density	700/km2 (1800/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Havu (Bany'Idjwi)

People singing on boat on Lake Kivu from Idjwi to Bukavu.

Idjwi, or Ijwi, is an island in Lake Kivu belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the Sud-Kivu province. At 70 km (43 mi) in length and with an area of 340 km² (131 sq mi), it is the second largest lake island in Africa, and the tenth largest in the world.^[1] Idjwi is roughly equidistant between the DRC and Rwanda, with 10 to 15 kilometres (6 to 9 mi) separating its western shore from the DRC mainland and a similar distance between its eastern shore and the coastline of Rwanda. The island's southern tip, however, lies only 1 kilometre from a promontory of the Rwandan coast.

History

Historically a clan-based Bahavu society, Idjwi island became a kingdom in the late 18th century (roughly between 1780 and 1840).^[2]

Demographics

In 2013, the island was estimated to have a population of 252,000. This is a massive increase from the estimated population of 50,000 in 1983. Malnutrition is common, especially among children, and almost all of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture.

References

^ Retrieved 4 June 2007. Ukerewe Island in neighbouring Lake Victoria is considerably bigger than Idjwi, at 530 km² (205 sq mi).
^ Newbury, David S. (1991). Kings and Clans: Ijwi Island and the Lake Kivu Rift, 1780-1840. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 239. ISBN 9780299128944.

2°09′57″S 29°03′22″E / 2.165851°S 29.056091°E / -2.165851; 29.056091

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[1] Retrieved 4 June 2007. Ukerewe Island in neighbouring Lake Victoria is considerably bigger than Idjwi, at 530 km² (205 sq mi).

[2] Newbury, David S. (1991). Kings and Clans: Ijwi Island and the Lake Kivu Rift, 1780-1840. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 239. ISBN 9780299128944.

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