Kenya





Full name: The Republic of Kenya. Population: 34.3 million (UN, 2005) Capital: Nairobi. Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles) Major religion: Christianity. Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 cents. Main exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products. President: Mwai Kibaki. Languages: The national language is Swahili (Kiswahili) although English is widely spoken, especially for business and official purposes. In total there are 45 ethnic languages in Kenya. Government: Republic.


 * Kenya** has become the worldwide emblem of Africa. While famous for it's national parks and game preserves, recent tribal violence has dominated the news. Current population approaches 30 million.

The climate is as varied as the spectacular terrain. The Indian Ocean coastline and northern desert areas are consistently hot and humid. Tourism is the largest contributor to the economy, while exports of tea and coffee are significant factors. The manufacturing base has expanded in the past decade.



=Geography= Kenya lies across the equator in east-central Africa, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. It is twice the size of Nevada. 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.

A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The environment of Kenya is threatened by high population growth and its side effects.

Area: 582,650 square kilometers (569,25 km2 land; 13,400 km2 water)



__**Major Citys:**__ Mombasa Nairobi Eldoret Lodwar Mandera

Shimba Hills Taita and Chyulu Hills Western Highlands Loroghi Hills Mt Elgon Mt. Kenya Mt. Longonot
 * __Major Mountains:__**



Varies from tropical near the Indian Ocean to arid in the interior Highest point: Mount Kenya, 5199 meters. 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.
 * __Climate:__**



Kenya, a country of diverse and rich cultural traditions, seeks to cultivate and develop those traditions to ensure that its valuable cultural assets are not irretrievably lost and that social cohesion is not undermined in the process of change to newer ways. A National Archive Service has been established, and it is saving an increasing number of documents. A national library service board has also been established to equip, maintain, and develop libraries in Kenya, including a branch library service. Kenya's national museum contains collections of wildlife, archaeological remains, and objects of material culture.
 * __Culture:__**


 * __Why Kenya is an English speaking country:__**

Kenya was a British colony from 1895 to 1963. Kenya was colonized by the British government for 70 years. It became a British protectorate after the Anglo-German agreement of 1890. At this time the British main interest was not to control local people, but to construct a railway that would connect Uganda, Zanzibar, and the Indian Ocean. The railway was important for strategic and economic reasons; it was to be the main link that would connect Lake Victoria (the source of the river Nile) and Uganda, which was also under British control. The construction of the railway led to a large immigration of people from India who were imported to work on the railway. Other immigrants from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada followed in 1903 as economic interests grew. European settlers from South Africa also moved to the new British territory.




 * __History:__**

Kenya has an influential history. Kenya is known as the land behind Born Free, but few people realise how the colonial influences on Kenya have altered the economic base of this African nation. In 1500, the Portuguese colonized Kenya, but by the 17th century Oman and the other Arab nations ousted this colonial power and took control. The Arabs had control of Kenya until 1885, when British signed an agreement with Oman releasing the east African colony into England's colonial commonwealth. Kenya finally gained complete independence in 1963. In the 1960s and 1970s, much of Kenya's lifestyle was based on agriculture, but in about the last ten years or so Kenya has become more industrialized. And, as it continues to expand, it begins, slowly, to leave the urban centers such as Niarobi and Mombasa. However, unlike some South African countries, cars are not a luxury item for only the rich political leaders. Even in rural areas, many Kenyans own cars. In the suburbs, and in the cities themselves, everyday traffic much resembles New York City.


 * __Similarities between Kenya and England:__**


 * In Britain and Kenya they bouth talk english, but Kenya's national language is Swahili.
 * They have the same religion which is Christian.
 * They use schillings and dollars in Kenya.
 * Football and cricket is popular in bouth countries.
 * They both have primary, secondary and college schools.
 * Kenya was a Brithish colony.



Cultural Values:


 * Kenyans love to party, and the music style known as benga is the contemporary dance music that rules.
 * Most Kenyans place great importance on the family and the traditional values and responsibilities associated with it.
 * Kenyans families tend to be large, and households often include many members of the extended family.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4938930476262892898&q=Some+pictures+of+Kenya&total=20&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=0
 * __Video:__**

http://www.magicalkenya.com/ http://www.jambokenya.com/jambo/kenya/kenya.htm East Africa handbook http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107678.html
 * __Sources:__**

Made by Sara