Idjwi

Idjwi

Idjwi, in the central-southern region of Lake Kivu
Idjwi
Geography
Location	Lake Kivu
Coordinates	02°06′18″S 29°03′36″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)

Idjwi, or Ijwi, is an inland island in Lake Kivu which forms part of South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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. Idjwi is roughly equidistant between the Congo 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 (0.62 mi) 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).

Demographics

In 2013, the island was estimated to have a population of 252,000, mostly Havus, with a small Pygmy minority. 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.