Idjwi Territory

Idjwi Territory is a territory in South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established in 1974 in response to local demands for administrative recognition, the territory encompasses Idjwi Island, the largest island in Lake Kivu, along with numerous surrounding islets, collectively forming a small archipelago.

The territory lies within the western branch of the Central African Rift Valley, between latitudes 1°33' and 2°30' south and longitudes 28°49' and 29°19' east. Lake Kivu, situated in this section of the rift valley, is located at an altitude of 1,460 meters and spans over 26,000 square kilometers. Idjwi Island itself extends approximately 50 kilometers from north to south and up to 15 kilometers from east to west, with its total area estimated between 307.5 and 310 km², making up nearly one-ninth of the lake's surface area. The island serves as a natural divide within Lake Kivu, splitting the lake into two branches that reconnect in the northern and southern sections. The northern section is known as the "Great Lake" and forms the lake's deepest basin. The islets surrounding Idjwi Island are grouped into three clusters, with the Kirshanga group comprising Murshuza, Kirshanga, Nyabi, Nyakirirshu, Kabwanga, Kezina, Karubambura, Kazimbaka, Gahengeri, Kabwikulule, Shushu I and II, Kanaka Lahinga, Mpavu Kabunduguhi, Kalunga I and II, Kamashe, and Karwakakaraza. The Burshende group comprises Nyamubibi, Muhova, Burshende, Kishushu, Miku, and Karwakakaraza, while the Nyamizi group contains Muhembe, Nyamizi, Irhe, Cegera, Ibuza, Mushenyi, and Kinyabalanga.