Kenya
is an East African country that rises from a low
coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains
and plateaus at its center. The country size is
582,650 and is bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia,
Sudan Tanzania, Uganda. Most Kenyans live in the
highlands including, main cities and towns.
Nairobi,
is the capital centre and stands at an altitude
of 1,700 meters (5,500 feet). Even though Nairobi
is near the Equator, its high elevation brings
cooler air. To the west of Nairobi the land descends
to the north-south running through the Great Rift
Valley—the valley floor is at its lowest
near Lake Turkana further in the deserts of northern
Kenya. Around Lake Turkana, scientists have discovered
some of humankind's earliest ancestors—a
fossil known as Kenya Man, that was dated at 3.5
to 3.2 million years old.
Kenya is host to Forty ethnic groups, including
Kikuyu farmers and Maasai cattle herders, three-quarters
of Kenya's people is also located in the country
side. The total population stands at 33,830,000
with 2,818,000 staying in the capital city Nairobi.
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 terrain is low plains rising
to the central highlands bisected by Great Rift
Valley; fertile plateau in west.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.
Kenya has considerable land area
of wildlife habitat, including much of the Serengeti
plains, where Wildebeest and other bovids participate
in a large scale annual migration. Up to 250,000
Wildebeest perish each year in the long and arduous
movement to find forage in the dry season. 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
"Big Five" animals of Africa can also
be found in Kenya and these include the Lion,
the Leopard, the Buffalo, the Rhino and the biggest
of them all - the Elephant. A significant population
of other wild animals, reptiles and birds can
be found in the national parks and game reserves
in the country.
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