Kenya

Kenya, independent republic of East Africa. Since achieving independence from Britain in 1963, Kenya has been one of the most prosperous and politically stable new African states for a long time. Economic and social progress has been made more difficult by the rapid growth of population.

Land and climate

Kenya has an area of 224,960 sq mi (582,646 sq km). Its northern neighbors are the Sudan and Ethiopia, with Somalia in the northeast. On the west, Kenya is bordered by Uganda; on the south, by Tanzania. Straddling the equator, the country has a varied landscape, with 4 main regions: the coastal strip bordering the Indian Ocean; the vast, dry plains of the Nyika; the highlands; and the western plateau.

The coastal strip is narrow and fertile, with scattered rain forest, mangrove swamps, and coconut palms. The plains extend from northern Kenya over more than half of the country, and are about 150 mi (240 km) wide in the south, where they are crossed by Kenya's 2 chief rivers, the Tana and the Athi. They are mostly scrubland pasture, but the Tana Valley and the Taita Hills are cultivated.

The highlands, where most Kenyans live, are mainly in the southwest, and are cut from north to south by the Great Rift Valley, of which Lake Rudolf (in the north) is part. They are mostly 5,000–8,000 ft (1,525–2,440 m) above sea level, but volcanic action has raised such lofty cones as Mount Kenya (17,058 ft/5,200 m), Kenya's highest mountain, and Mount Elgon (14,178 ft/4,321 m). With rich volcanic soils, moderate temperatures, and ample rainfall, the highlands provide most of Kenya's farm crops.

Beyond the Great Rift Valley and the highlands, the western plateau (sometimes called the Nyanza Plateau) stretches to Lake Victoria. At an average altitude of 4,000 ft (1,220 m), this well-watered plateau has good farmlands, forests, and grasslands. Kenya is famous for its big game, including elephants, hippos, giraffes, and antelopes. There are many national parks and game reserves, the largest and best known being the Tsavo National Park (8,034 sq mi/20,809 sq km) in southeast Kenya. Every year many visitors come from abroad to go on safari.

People

Nearly 98% of the population is African, comprising more than 40 ethnic groups, chief among which are the Kikuyu. There are also Indian, Arab, and European (primarily British) communities. Most Kenyans live in the southwest, mainly in the highlands where Nairobi, the capital and largest city, is situated.

Economy

Agriculture is the major occupation, with coffee, tea, timber, fruit, and vegetables the main exports. Chief industries center around food processing, textiles, footwear, and clothing. There is also a large livestock industry. Kenya has few natural resources, and its reliance upon imported oil places a strain on the economy. Hydroelectric and geothermal power sources are being developed. Tourism is also important.

History

Until 1887 the coast was under Arab control. The British then opened the interior with imported Indian labor and encouraged European settlement. In 1944 the first African nationalist party was set up, and Jomo Kenyatta became its leader in 1947. Discontent led to the formation of the Mau Mau terrorist organization. Pacified by reforms, Kenya gained independence in 1963, becoming a republic in 1964 under Kenyatta's presidency. In 1978 Kenyatta died. His vice president, Daniel arap Moi, was elected unopposed and rules since then. In 1998 the American embassy was the target of an attack by Muslim fundamentalists.