GEOGRAPHY
Cities:
Capital- -Nairobi (pop. 1.2 million in 1991). Other cities--Mombasa
(450,000), Kisumu (150,000), Nakuru (150,000).
Terrain:
Kenya rises 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 arid plain in
the north. Mountain plains cover the south before descending to
the shores of Lake Victoria in the west.
Climate:
Varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid
and semi-arid wasteland in the north and the northeast.
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and
Tanzania
Map
references: Africa
Area:
total area: 582,650 sq km land area: 569,250 sq
km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size
of Nevada
Land
boundaries: total 3,446 km, Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km,
Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline:
536 km
Maritime
claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth
of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial
sea: 12 nm
International
disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide
with international boundary; possible claim by Somalia based on
unification of ethnic Somalis
Climate:
varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain:
low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley;
fertile plateau in west
Natural
resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes, rubies,
fluorspar, garnets, wildlife
Land
use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 1% meadows
and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 4% other:
85%
Irrigated
land: 520 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial
wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides
and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification;
poaching natural hazards: NA international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Note:
the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural
production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography
supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic
value.
