Gisenyi
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Gisenyi | |
The Lake Kivu beach at Gisenyi | |
Location in Rwanda | |
Coordinates: | |
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Country | Rwanda |
Admin. Province | West Province |
District | Rubavu |
Government | |
- Mayor |
Gisenyi is a city in Rubavu district in the West Province of Rwanda. Gisenyi is contiguous with Goma, the city across the border in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
[edit] Description
The city features a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu, with several hotels and three sandy beaches. The area is also known for water sports. The northern shore of the lake on which Goma and Gisenyi lie is a flat plain featuring lava formations from the eruptions of nearby Mount Nyiragongo. Gisenyi but not Goma escaped the lava flows of the 2002 eruption which destroyed between 15 and 40% of the latter. The centre of the Gisenyi lies at the foot of hills in north-east corner of the lake, and low-density expansion is taking place in the hills which should be safe from any future eruptions.
Gisenyi is also home to BRALIRWA, the only brewery in Rwanda, which manufactures various local beers Primus and Mutzig, as well as Amstel, Guinness and a range of Coca cola brand soft drinks.
During the Rwandan Genocide, the provisional government was based in the city.