Idjwi
 Idjwi is in the southern region of Lake Kivu | |
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| 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 |
| Country | |
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Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 250,000 (as of 2009) |
| Density | 700 /km2 (1,800 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Havu (Bany'Idjwi) |
Idjwi or Ijwi is an island in Lake Kivu, belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At 70 km in length and with an area of 340 km², it is the second largest inland 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 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.
Historically a clan-based society, Idjwi island became a kingdom in the late 18th century (roughly between 1780 and 1840) under the influence of the neighboring Kingdom of Rwanda.[2]
Idjwi lies within the Sud-Kivu province of the DRC.
In 2009 the island was estimated to have a population of 203,000. 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.
- ↑ Newbury, David. Kings and Clans: Ijwi Island and the Lake Kivu Rift, 1780-1840 (ISBN 0299128903 / 0-299-12890-3 ) 1992.
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Coordinates: 2°09′57″S 29°03′22″E / 2.165851°S 29.056091°E