Facts about Kenya
Kenya Information at a glance
Kenya is a country of wildlife, landscapes, lakes, tropical coastline, culture, history and friendly welcoming people. Kenya has geographical diversity from snow-capped peaks, a Rift Valley with extinct volcanoes and hot springs, wide open plains, forest and coastline with reefs and magnificent beaches. A well developed tourist infrastructure with hotels, lodges, campsites and lots of activities make Kenya a popular tourist destination.
About Kenya Geography and Climate
Situated on the equator and comprised of more than 224,000 sq. miles (582,000 sq. Km), Kenya is slightly smaller than Texas. It is an East African nation that borders Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the northeast, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south and Somalia to the northeast. The Indian Ocean borders the country to the southeast. The capital is Nairobi and the other major cities are Mombasa on the coast, Nakuru and Eldoret in the centre and Kisumu in the west on the shores of lake Victoria.
Kenya is blessed with a wide range of topographical features - from low plains in the coastal lowlands bisected by the Great Rift Valley to fertile plateau in the west. The Rift Valley has a series of lakes, arid and rugged landscapes and volcanic landforms with areas of active hot springs and geothermal activity.
The highlands areas of Central Kenya provide fertile ground for agriculture, making Kenya one of the most productive agricultural centers in Africa. The north of Kenya is largely a desert with scattered thorn bush. The Kenyan coast has many beaches, coral reefs, creeks and coral islands. The coastal strip is largely flat, giving rise to the rolling Taita hills.
In the centre is Mount Kenya the second highest mountain in Africa. Along the border of Tanzania is Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa. Good views of Kilimanjaro can be seen from Amboseli national park.
Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. The coastal area is warm and humid, temperate in the central highlands and hot and dry in the north and north east of Kenya. Rainfall is seasonal with most rain in April to June. Short rains occur in the month of October to December.
About Kenya People and Cultures
Kenya has a population of more than 36 million people. Nairobi is home to just under 4 million people. 42 ethnic groups call Kenya home, and each group has their own language and culture. Kikuyu is the largest ethnic group and the Maasai the most well-known ethnic group due to tourism. The official languages of Kenya are English and Swahili.
Tourist Attractions in Kenya
Game Safaris and wildlife tours are the biggest attraction bringing in the most visitors to Kenya. With over 20 managed national parks and national game preserves, visitors can view some of the most spectacular wildlife in Kenya. The "Big Five" animals make up for Safari tours and wildlife expeditions in the parks. The most visited park is the Masaai Mara and borders the Serengeti plains in Tanzania. Between July and September, the annual wildebeest migration takes place.
Kenya's beaches along the Indian Ocean are the next biggest draw for tourists. With coral reefs just offshore, visitors can enjoy clean beaches lined with palm trees and studded with luxury resorts. The entry point is Mombasa and beaches are found to the south and north of Mombasa, extending to Malindi and finishing in the north in Lamu archipelago, a world heritage site.
Products
Kenya is one of the top agricultural producers in Africa thanks to the rich Kenyan Highlands. Coffee, tea, tobacco, cotton, pyrethrum, flowers, cashew nuts and sisal are the cash crops for Kenya, with fruit, vegetables, beans, and cassava emerging as key crops for subsistence. Cattle, goats and sheep are also important agricultural products. Major export markets include Kenyas neighboring countries as well as several European, Asian countries and the United States.
The Government
The Republic of Kenya is a multi party democracy having a National Assembly. The constitution declares the President as both head of State and head of Government. The government has been stable and the recent administration has worked hard to improve the country on many levels, from education to health care to economic growth.
Kenya's Challenges
Kenya has many challenges to overcome. The government is still trying to reach the rural communities to provide adequate services and corruption in some segments is still under investigation. Unemployment is a continual challenge, as well as crime, disease and poverty. However, as Kenya continues to make a place for itself on the world stage, the abundant natural resources it possesses, the diverse yet cohesive populace and its vision for the future will see it emerge as a leader in Africa.
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