Nairobi, the capital and largest city in Kenya, is the country's principal economic, administrative and cultural center.
Situated midway between Johannesburg and Cairo, the City also serves as a commercial center for all of East Africa.
In 1972 and 1976, Kenya donated land for the construction of the United Nations Environment Program and United Nations Center for Human Settlements headquarters, helping to make Nairobi a major diplomatic post in Africa.
Nairobi was once frequented by the pastoral Masai tribespeople.
The City�s modern history began in the 1890s as a stop on the British-built Mombasa-to-Uganda railroad.
From 1899 to 1905 it served as a British provincial capital, and in 1905 Nairobi became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate.
Today, it is one of Africa�s largest and fastest-growing cities with modern skyscrapers, outdoor cafes, bars, bookstores and western-style hotels.
Kenya's economic growth is not evenly distributed. As a result, it is common to see expensive mansions overlooking the poor slums.
Nairobi is considered the educational and cultural center in Eastern Africa. The University of Nairobi, United State International University and Kenya Conservatory of Music are located here. The National Museum of Kenya, which is known for its display of early humans, is one of the finest in Africa. Other points of interest include the Parliament, Law Courts, City Hall, McMillan Memorial Library, the busy Municipal Market and nearby bazaar, Kenya National Theater and Sorsbie Art Gallery. Within a 20-minute drive of Nairobi are some of Kenya’s largest national parks and big game reserves.
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Kenya, a republic in East Africa, is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The country gained its independence from British rule in 1963, and became a self-governing republic in 1964. The 2002 census estimated the country's population at over 31 million people, with one of the largest population growth rates in the world. Unlike most other African countries that were once colonized by a European power, the population of Kenya consist mostly of black Africans. Arabs, Asians and Europeans together constitute less than one percent of the total population. Most black Africans associate themselves with specific tribes, many of which have their own unique language. However, the country's two official languages are English and Swahili.
Unlike neighboring countries, Kenya has a relatively cool climate with little or no extremes. The moderate temperatures attract a multitude of birds and big game, making Kenya the most diverse wildlife refuge in Africa. Conservation of wildlife within reserves has thus received high priority. Nearly 12 percent of the total land is classified as parks, game reserves, and other managed areas, although only 6.2 percent is strictly protected. There are 107 (2001) threatened species in Kenya. Threatened habitats include the slopes of Mount Kenya and coastal forests. Efforts are under way to restore the endangered African elephant and black rhino populations, and an aggressive campaign has been waged against poachers. Five biosphere reserves have been recognized under the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program. Kenya�s most notable natural features are Lake Victoria and Victoria Falls (the largest waterfall in the world) and the Great Rift Valley -- likely the birth place of the human species.
Kenya continues to struggle with many of the challenges that plague third world countries. Its unemployment rate is over 50%, and 40% of its population lives below the poverty line. The life expectancy is under 48 years and infant death rate is 6.8%. As with all African countries, Kenya is facing an AIDS epidemic. More then 2 million people (14% of the population) are HIV positive. With all of these issues, Kenya continues to receive humanitarian aid from the West. Despite the challenges Kenya faces -- many stemming from the days as a British colony -- its people continue to forge ahead. Kenya is one of the most progressive and fastest-growing countries on the continent of Africa.
Pop: 31.1 million
Languages: Swahili, English
Currency: Kenyan shilling (Ksh)
National holiday: 12 December (Independence Day)
Local time: GMT+3 (9 hours ahead of Washington DC)
Eastern Africa most usually refers to the countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Somalia, although it can extend to include the lower Nile Valley and the islands of the Indian Ocean. The two tallest peaks in Africa, Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, are in the region, as well as farmlands, valleys and freshwater lakes.
The Rift Valley, spanning Kenya and Tanzania, has been the most fruitful place on earth for research on early hominids. Hunter-gatherer tribes gave way to agrarian and herding societies, leaving traces of their civilization along the way.
Beginning in the late 15th century, various European countries attempted to exploit the natural resources in this fertile area. Portuguese, German, Italian, French and British explorers staked claims to large swaths of land. Colonies were managed and mismanaged for several hundred years, until the increasing marginalization of African natives set off a wave of independence.
Now, most of the countries in the area belong to the East African Community, an agreement which will promote trade and circulation of people within the East African area. Plans for a common currency, common market, and political union are under discussion.
