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Kenya lies astride the equator on the east of the African continent. Bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania, Kenya covers an area of 582,646 square kilometres; slightly more than the size of France.

Kenya's geography is marvellously varied, ranging from the desert plains to the pristine white sandy beaches. It encompasses scenic highlands and lake regions, the Great Rift Valley, and the magnificent, snow-capped Mount Kenya (Below).

The country ranges in altitude from sea-level to the 5199m (17052ft.) of Mount Kenya (Above), and has roughly 13 thousand square kilometres of lakes and rivers. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa, whilst its forests and vast open savannas support abundant and diverse wildlife. This has led to Kenya becoming one of the finest and undoubtedly the most famous safari destination in the world.

The climate in Kenya varies, but the whole country experiences two main rainy seasons. The main rains are from March to May, with short rains from October to December, the intermediate months being dry.

Kenya gained its independence on the 12th of December 1963. Its founding president Jomo Kenyatta led the country until his death in 1978. Kenya is a republic, with Nairobi (located at 1600m, 5500 ft) as its capital. Mombasa, on the Kenyan coast, serves as the major port for most of the East African region.

The country's currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES) and the Gross Domestic Product is approximately US$33 billion. Agriculture accounts for an important segment of the GDP and employs 75-80% of Kenya's labour force. Kenya's export crops are mainly comprised of tea, coffee, and horticulture. Its natural resources include limestone, soda ash, salt, semi-precious stones, wildlife, and hydro-power.

The population of Kenya is approximately 32 million with a median age of about 18 years. It is comprised of many ethnic groups, of which the Kikuyu (22%), Luhya (14%), Luo (13%) Kalenjin (12%), Kamba (11%), and Kisii (6%) are predominant. The official languages of Kenya are English and Kiswahili although many indigenous languages are also spoken. About two thirds of the population is Christian, with a large Muslim population mainly located on the coast.

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