North Kivu
North Kivu (Jimbo la Kivu Kaskazini in Swahili) is a province bordering Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its capital is Goma. The 2020 population was estimated to be 8,147,400.
North Kivu Province
| |
|---|---|
|
Seal | |
| Coordinates: 0°34′S 28°42′E | |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Named for | Lake Kivu |
| Capital and largest city | Goma |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Peter Cirimwami (military) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 59,483 km2 (22,967 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 18th |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 8,147,400 |
| • Rank | 2nd |
| • Density | 140/km2 (350/sq mi) |
| Demonym | North Kivutian |
| License Plate Code | CGO / 19 |
| Official language | French |
| National language | Swahili |
| HDI (2017) | 0.440 low |
| Website | www |
North Kivu borders the provinces of Ituri to the north, Tshopo to the northwest, Maniema to the southwest, and South Kivu to the south. To the east, it borders the countries of Uganda and Rwanda.
The province consists of three cities—Goma, Butembo and Beni—and six territories—Beni, Lubero, Masisi, Rutshuru, Nyiragongo and Walikale. The Rwenzori Mountains, which form part of the Albertine Rift, are located on the province's eastern edge, serving as a vital source of freshwater and sustaining a plethora of flora and fauna. A project has been underway since 2013 to also grant city status to Kasindi, Oïcha and Luholu. It is home to the Virunga National Park, a World Heritage Site containing the endangered mountain gorillas.
The province is politically unstable and since 1998 has been one of the flashpoints of the military conflicts in the region.
North Kivu was the site of an Ebola epidemic, which was compounded by political instability in the region.