Gography

Courtesy of: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/YearbookHomeInternal/139131/

Cortesy of: litikutours.com

courtesy of: http://kentanzatoursandsafaris.com/Kenyan_Safaris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nphe6O8TXy8&feature=player_detailpage

Kenya lies astride the equator the equator on the eastern coast of Africa.  It’s bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Lake Victoria and Uganda.  It is notable for its’ geographical variety of fertile coastal region with islands, its gradually rising coastal plain and its dry region covered with savanna and thornbush.  The northern part of the country (which forms 3/5 of the whole territory is of semidesert characteristics as is the southeastern quarter.  The principal rivers are the Tana and the Athi, the Ewaso Ngiro flowing northeast to the swamps of the Lorian Plain, and the Nzoia, Yala and Gori, which drain eastward into Lake Victoria.

The climate of Kenya is varied from the tropical humidity of the coast, through the dry heat of the hinterland and northern plains, to the cool air of the plateau and mountains. Mountain Kenya is perpetually snow-capped. The coastal temperature averages 27°C (80°F).  The capital, Nairobi, has a mean annual temperature of 19°C. The arid plains vary from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F). Seasonal variations are distinguished by duration of rainfall rather than changes of temperature; most regions of the country have two rainy seasons, the long rains falling between April and June, and the short rains between October and December.

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and has become the largest city.  Nairobi became to existence from the railroad with the building of the Kenya-Uganda railroad, and it has grown to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities as it houses the International Airport.

The Coastline is home to the Miki Kenda civilization of which there are nine tribes that inhabit the area.  Along the palm fringed coastline lies a spectacular coral reef running, almost uninterrupted, for a stretch of almost 480 kilometres. The area is teeming with marine life, lagoons and creeks and numerous species of birdlife who live in the mangrove forests or on overhanging cliffs. The coastline is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, with many tourist class hotels offering a full range of activities.

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The Bongo (antelope) is a wild, herbivorous, nocturnal and considered one of the largest in size of the antelope species.  Its natural habitat is in the high altitudes of Central Africa mainly Kenya.  It’s population has been in major decline due to hunting, however, several organizations have come together to continue the preservation of this nearly extinct species.  It is clearly distinctive from other species for its reddish-brown coat, black and white margins, and white stripes.

Reference: http://www.ireference.ca/search/Bongo%20(antelope)/

LENGUAGES

Republic of Kenya, Jamhuriya ya Kenya. 35,599,000. National or official languages: Kiswahili [swh], English. The number of individual languages listed for Kenya is 69. Of those, all are living languages.

Arabic, Onami Spoken, Aweer, Borana, Burji, Chichonyi-Chidzihana-Chikauma, Chidigo, Chiduruma, Cutchi-Swahili, Daasanach, Dahalo, Dawida, Dholuo, Ekegusii, El Molo, English (Increasing and more than 60% of Kenya population speaks English), Gichuka, Gikuyu, Gujarati, Kachchi, Kalenjin, Kamba, Keiyo, Kenyan Sign Language (Increasing primarily for schools for the deaf), Kiembu, Kigiriyama, Kimiiru, Kipfokomo, Kipsigis, Kiswahili, Kitharaka, Kiwilwana, Konkani Goan, Kuria, Lubukusu, Luidakho-Luisukha Lutrichi, Lukabaras, Lulogooli, Lutachoni, Maasai, Markweeta, Mwimbi-Muthambi, Nandi, Nubi, Nayala, Okiek, Olukhayo, Oluluyia, Olumarachi, Olumarama, Olunyole, Olusamia, Olushisa, Olutsotso, Oluwanga, Omotik, Orma, Panjabi, Eastern, Pokoot, Rendile, Sabaot, Sgalla, Samburu, Somali, Suba, Taveta, Terik, Teso, Tugen, Turkana, Waata, Yaaku,

Reference: 

http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=Kenya

http://www.kenya-information-guide.com/kenya-language.html

Courtesy of: http://www.cheap-kenya-vacation-tips.com/images/religion-in-kenya.jpg

RELIGION

A large proportion of the Kenyan population are Christians found mainly outside the coastal and eastern provinces. Muslims make up some 30% of the population found in the coastal areas and in the eastern side of the country - the rest is a combination of other minority religions such as Hindus, Bhuduist and those who follow their ancestral tribal beliefs.  The influence of the British and the Portuguese rule are the reason behind Christianity being so popular in Kenya.

Reference:

http://www.mapsofworld.com/kenya/religion/

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/



PEOPLE and TRIBES

Currently there are more than 40 different ethnic group in Kenya.

The main groups of tribes are the Bantu who migrated from western Africa, the Nilotic people who originated from Sudan and the Hamitic group, who were mainly pastoral tribes from Ethiopia and Somalia. The main tribes are Kikuyu (21%), Meru (5%), Kalenjin, Luyha, Luo (14%), Kisii, Kamba, Swahili, Masai, Turkana

The other large ethnic groups include the Luo, Luhya, Kamba and Kalenjin- There are also some groups of people who form a very small population. This includes the tribe of El Molo.

Persian and Arab traders established business contacts with east Africans over 1,000 years ago. These relations, coupled with refugees who fled the turmoil in Arabia after the death of Muhammad in the 7th century, resulted in a significant number of Arab immigrants residing on the coast of east Africa. The mixing of the coastal Bantu-speaking African peoples with these Arab immigrants led to the emergence of the Swahili people and language. The Swahili people lived and worked for the next seven centuries with the indigenous African population. During this time, the Swahili people expanded their trade and communication further inland and to the south with the other African groups, including ancestral tribes of the Somali Bantu.

Reference: http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epidemiology/DiseasePrevention/Programs/NewcomerHealth/ethbantu.htm

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/

Reference:

http://www.africaguide.com/country/kenya/