# Butare

> city in Rwanda

**Wikidata**: [Q509739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q509739)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butare)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/butare

## Summary
Butare is a city in Rwanda, officially founded in 1920. It serves as the administrative center of Huye District and was previously the capital of Butare Province until 2006. The city has a population of 19,937, as recorded in the 2012 census, and is located at coordinates 2.6°S, 29.75°E. It is known by various names, including Astrida (used until 1962) and Huye, and is part of Rwanda's administrative and cultural landscape.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1920
- **Population**: 19,937 (as of 2012 census)
- **Coordinates**: 2.6°S, 29.75°E
- **Timezone**: UTC+02:00
- **Administrative Status**:
  - Capital of Butare Province (until 2005)
  - Located in Huye District (since 2006)
- **Identifiers**:
  - GND ID: 4461500-0
  - VIAF ID: 159453778
  - IDREF ID: 092035396
  - UN/LOCODE: RWBTQ
  - Geonames ID: 203117
- **Aliases**: Astrida (historical), Huye, 阿斯特里达
- **Official Names**:
  - Astrida (1920–1962)
  - Butare (since 1962)
- **Related Entities**:
  - Country: Rwanda
  - Twinned Administrative Body: Castres, France
- **Digital Identifiers**:
  - Freebase ID: /m/097xvl
  - OpenStreetMap Node ID: 435637541
  - Facebook Location ID: 108074292547065

## FAQs
**What is the current administrative status of Butare?**
Butare is located within Huye District, having served as the capital of Butare Province from 1920 until 2005, when administrative boundaries were restructured.

**What are the official names of Butare?**
Butare was officially known as Astrida from 1920 to 1962 before reverting to its current name, Butare.

**What is the population of Butare?**
The most recent census recorded a population of 19,937 in 2012.

**What are the coordinates of Butare?**
Butare is situated at 2.6 degrees south latitude and 29.75 degrees east longitude.

**What is the timezone of Butare?**
Butare operates in the UTC+02:00 timezone.

## Why It Matters
Butare holds historical significance as a regional administrative center in Rwanda, transitioning from provincial capital to district-level governance. Its population data provides insights into urban development and demographic trends. The city's official name changes reflect broader historical and political shifts. Its geographic coordinates and administrative relationships highlight its role in Rwanda's territorial organization. The presence of digital identifiers underscores its integration into global and national databases, facilitating administrative, cultural, and economic interactions.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Transition**: Served as the capital of Butare Province before being reclassified as part of Huye District.
- **Name Evolution**: Transitioned from Astrida to Butare, reflecting historical and political renaming.
- **Census Data**: Provides a snapshot of urban population in 2012, useful for demographic analysis.
- **Geographic Precision**: Accurate coordinates (2.6°S, 29.75°E) enable precise mapping and spatial analysis.
- **Twinned Relationship**: Partnered with Castres, France, indicating international administrative cooperation.

## Body
### History
Butare was officially established in 1920, initially bearing the name Astrida. It served as the capital of Butare Province until 2005, when administrative boundaries were reorganized, and it became part of Huye District. The city's name was officially changed from Astrida to Butare in 1962, reflecting broader historical and political shifts.

### Geography
Butare is located at precise geographic coordinates: 2.6 degrees south latitude and 29.75 degrees east longitude. It operates within the UTC+02:00 timezone, aligning with Rwanda's standard time zone.

### Demographics
The most recent population census recorded 19,937 residents in 2012, providing a key data point for understanding urban development and demographic trends.

### Administrative Relationships
Butare is part of Rwanda's administrative framework, with historical ties to Butare Province and current affiliation with Huye District. It has a twinned administrative relationship with Castres, France, indicating international cooperation in governance.

### Digital Integration
Butare is represented in various digital databases, including Freebase, OpenStreetMap, and Facebook, facilitating administrative, cultural, and economic interactions. Its presence in these systems underscores its role in modern governance and connectivity.

### Cultural and Historical Identifiers
Butare is known by multiple aliases, including Astrida (historical) and Huye, reflecting its cultural and historical significance. Its official name changes and identifiers highlight its evolution within Rwanda's administrative and political landscape.

### External References
Butare's presence in databases like GND, VIAF, and IDREF ensures its inclusion in academic and bibliographic records, supporting research and documentation efforts. Its UN/LOCODE and Geonames identifiers further integrate it into global geospatial and administrative systems.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://statistics.gov.rw/file/2907/download?token=i09m0Bly)
5. GeoNames
6. BBC Things
7. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/rw.htm)
8. Quora
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File