NATIONAL PARKS
Country Profile:
Official Name: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa.
ISO Country Code: ke
Country Calling Code: +254
Capital City: Nairobi (pop. 3 million)
Other Cities:
Mombasa (665 000), Kisumu (504 000), Nakuru (1.2 million).
Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK).
Geography:
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
Area: 582 646 sq. km. (225 000 sq mi.)
Terrain: From a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above 3 000 meters (9 000 ft.) in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north.
Mountain plains cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west. Highest elevation: Mount Kenya (Kirinyaga, 5199 m)
Climate: Varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.
People:
Nationality: Kenyan(s).
Population: 43 million.
Ethnic groups: African--Kikuyu 21%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 5%.Others 20% Non-African--Asian, European, Arab 1%.
Religions: Protestant 40%, Roman Catholic 30%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 10%, .
Languages: English, Swahili, more than 40 local ethnic
languages.Literacy (in English): 59%.
Natural resources: Wildlife, land.
Agriculture Products: Tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products.
Industries: Small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing; oil refining, cement; tourism.
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Discover Kenya:
Mombasa, Nairobi, Lake Victoria, Great Rift, Valley-LakeRegion, Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Nairobi National Parl,Amboseli National Park,Lake Nakuru National Park,Mt'Kenya National Park-Aberdare Ranges,Samburu Game Reserve, Tsavo East/West National Park.
Accommodation:
5* & budget hotels, camps, attractions, festivals, events, tourist boards, birding, wildlife, game viewing, lions, tours and much more.
