PIP: Rwanda's population characteristics, history, government, political situation, economy, and foreign relations were briefly discribed. Rwanda, a small African country, covers an area of 10,160 square miles and is situated between Zaire, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania. During the 1400s, Tutsi cattle breeders moved into the region and turned the Hutu farmers, the original occupants of the region, into serfs. The Tutsi maintained their dominant position until 1959. Rwanda was a German protectorate between 1899-1916 and a territory under the administration of Belgium following World War I. During the 1950s, the Tutsi resisted efforts by the Belgians to democratize the country, and in 1959, the Party of the Hutu Emancipation Movement (PARMEHUTU) overthrew the Tutsi monarchy. The PARMEHUTU leader, Gregoire Kayibanda was selected by the elected unicameral National Assembly to head the government following the granting of independence to Rwanda in 1962. In 1973 growing government inefficiency and corruption led to the takeover of the country by the military leader, Major General Juvenal Habyarimana, who in 1975 formed the National Revolutionary Movement for Development. Although civilian rule is being gradually restored, Habyarimana, who is now the elected president of the country, retains considerable power. In addition to the president, the country is run by a 17-member cabinet and a 70-member elected legislative body, the National Development Council. The current goverment is strongly committed to the developing the country's economy. Rwanda is a poor and overpopulated country, and its economy is based mainly on subsistence level farming. 93% of the work force is engaged in agriculture. 35% of the gross national product (GNP) is derived from agriculture, and the main agricultural products are tea, pyrethrum, and cinchona. Small-scale industries account for another 21.6% of the GNP. The government is working to increase the country's energy sources and to attract foreign investments. The country has some mineral desposits which contribute toward the country's foreign exchange. In 1984, the GNP was US$1.7 billion, the annual economic growth rate was 2.9%, the per capita GNP was US$270, and exports and imports were US$147.9 million and US$204.9 million respectively. Rwanda's population size is 6.3 million, and 85% of the population is Hutu and 14% is Tutsi. The annual population growth rate is 3.7%. The dominant religion is Christianity. The literacy rate is 37%, schooling is compulsory for 8 years, the infant mortality rate is 102/1000 live births, and life expectancy is 48 years. In 1981, the government established the National Population Office to develop and implement a national family planning policy. Rwanda follows a moderate and nonaligned course in foreign matters and maintains friendly relations with the US. In 1984 the US provided Rwanda with US$6.2 million in development assistance and US$1.5 million in food assistance. Most US aid is directed toward agricultural and health development.