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Kenya lies across the equator in east-central Africa, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Kenya borders Somalia to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. In the north, the land is arid; the southwest corner is in the fertile Lake Victoria Basin; and a length of the eastern depression of the Great Rift Valley separates western highlands from those that rise from the lowland coastal strip.
Currently there are more than 40 different ethnic group in Kenya. The main groups of tribes are the Bantu who migrated from western Africa, the Nilotic people who originated from Sudan and the Hamitic group, who were mainly pastoral tribes from Ethiopia and Somalia. The main tribes are Kikuyu (21%), Meru (5%), Kalenjin, Luyha, Luo (14%), Kisii, Kamba, Swahili, Masai, Turkana. The other large ethnic groups include the Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin- There are also some groups of people who form a very small population. This includes the tribe of El Molo. A large proportion of the Kenyan population are Christians found mainly outside the coastal and eastern provinces. Muslims make up some 30% of the population found in the coastal areas and in the eastern side of the country - the rest is a combination of other minority religions such as Hindus, Bhuduist and those who follow their ancestral tribal beliefs. Kenya contains diverse vegetation. Forests containing palm, mangrove, teak, and sandalwood trees can be found along the Indian Ocean coast. Baobab, euphorbia, and acacia trees dot the lowland plateaus, while extensive tracts of savanna (grassland), interspersed with groves of acacia and some temperate forests, characterize the terrain of the highlands up to about 3,000 m (about 9,000 ft). The higher alpine zone contains giant senecio and lobelia shrubs. Kenya is known for its varied wildlife and is particularly famous for its big game animals in the African savanna. These include elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, giraffes, and lions and other large cats. Most of these species are protected in national parks and game reserves. Birds, including ostriches, flamingos, and vultures abound in Kenya, as do reptiles such as pythons, mambas, and cobras. The annual migration of wildlife between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya that takes place between June and September is a favorite with wildlife lovers. The migration of almost two million wildebeest, zebras and other species is one of nature's greatest spectacles. Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The country receives a great deal of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning. The long rain season occurs from April to June. The short rain season occurs from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August. The annual migration occurs between June and September with millions of wildlife taking part. It has been a popular event for filmmakers to capture. The Kenyan official national language is English, and it is wide spoken. There also another national language, Kiswahili. Both Languanges are taught throughout the country. It's extremely useful for the traveller to have a working knowledge of Swahili, especially outside the urban areas and in remote parts of the country. Kenya's most spectacular annual event is organised by an unlikely group - wildebeests. Literally millions of these ungainly antelopes move en masse in July and August from the Serengeti in search of lush grass. They head south again around October. The best place to see this phenomenon is at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Kenya's more orthodox annual events include public holidays such as Kenyatta Day (20 October) and Independence Day (12 December). National name: Jamhuri ya Kenya |
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