Butare is located in the southern region of Rwanda, sometimes known as Huye. This largest city in Rwanda has a population size of 89,600. Butare was previously the colonial capital of the country, then called Astrida. Established in 1900, it is also the site of the first Catholic mission in Rwanda. Because of a large number of universities located here today, however, it is known as the educational capital. The North Gate University, the National University of Rwanda, the Rwandan National Institute of Scientific Research, and the Nyakibanda Seminary all these are Butare is home.