Facts About Kenya
Country: Republic of Kenya
Capital City: Nairobi is the capital city while Mombasa is the main port.
Government: Republic
Head of State: President
Location: East Africa
Area: 538,000sq km
Population: The population was estimated at 39,002,780 in 2009.
Languages: English and Kiswahili are official languages. Other African languages include Luo, Maa and Kikuyu.
Currency: Kenya Shillings
Religion: A large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely. Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, Indigenous beliefs 10%, others 2%.
Climate: Tropical along the coast and low lying Districts and Temperate in the Highlands and on the plateau. The best time of the year to visit Kenya is the boreal summer, from July to September. A second choice is the boreal winter from January to February. There are two rainy seasons, the “long rains” from March to June and the “short rains” from October to December. Seasonal rains condition both road communications and some cyclic wildlife movements. Wildlife is more abundant in Masai Mara during the boreal summer.
Tourist attractions: Kenya’s main tourist attractions include;
- Masai Mara National park the most popular wildlife park in Kenya, from July – October you can witness the incredible migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra. The Masai tribesmen also offer cultural tours which really add to the experience. Not excluding Ambroseli, Tsavo west and Tsavo East, Lake Nakuru and Aberdare National Parks with diversity of game to watch
- Mount Kenya has Africa’s second highest peak and like Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, you don’t need special training to reach Point Lenana one of its highest peaks. The area is home to rare species of animals as well as spectacular lakes, mineral springs and forests.
- Lamu one of Kenya’s oldest towns settled by the Swahili about 700 years ago and recently discovered by backpackers, Lamu is a great place to unwind and wash off the dirt and grime accumulated from some hard traveling. No matatus or mini-buses here, just donkeys and the sound of the ocean waves.
Economy: For many centuries Kenya traded with merchants from Arabia and parts of Asia. Today Kenya exports to its neighboring countries linked to Kenya by road and rail. Other trading partners include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Pakistan. The agricultural sector provides a livelihood for a significant percentage the population. Agricultural products include sugarcane, tea, coffee, wheat, maize, fruit and vegetables. Livestock is kept. Industries are oil refining, aluminum, lead, steel, cement, commercial ship repair, plastics, furniture, textiles, soap, cigarettes and food processing. The abundance of wildlife has fuelled the tourist industry making tourism Kenya’s largest foreign income earner.
Access: Many international airlines fly into both Nairobi and Mombasa direct from Europe and the Middle East. Long-distance buses ply routes between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Visas: A Kenyan Visa can be obtained at the Airport.
