Another fascinating country with great and nice destinations that most travelers would love to visit any day is Kenya in Africa.
Kenya which is officially known as the Republic of Kenya is a country in the Eastern part of Africa. The nation or country has total land area of about 580,367 square kilometres (224,081 sq mi) making it the world’s 48th largest country by area.
Kenya is the 29th most populous country in the world with a population of more than 47.6 million in the 2019 census. Kenya’s capital and largest city is Nairobi while it is oldest, currently second largest city, and first capital is the coastal city of Mombasa. Kisumu City is the third-largest city and also an inland port on Lake Victoria. Other important urban centers include Nakuru and Eldoret.
As of 2020, Kenya is the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa. Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
Kenya’s geography, climate and population vary widely, ranging from cold snow-capped mountain tops (Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana on Mount Kenya) with vast surrounding forests, wildlife and fertile agricultural regions to temperate climates in western and rift valley counties and dry less fertile arid and semi-arid areas and absolute deserts (Chalbi Desert and Nyiri Desert).
The early settlers in the land of Kenya were hunters and gatherers just like the current Hadza people in Tanzania. According to archaeological dating of associated artifacts and skeletal material, Cushitic speakers first settled in Kenya’s lowlands between 3,200 and 1,300 BC, a phase known as the Lowland Savanna Pastoral Neolithic. Nilotic-speaking pastoralists (ancestral to Kenya’s Nilotic speakers) began migrating from present-day South Sudan into Kenya around 500 BC.
Bantu people settled at the coast and the interior between 250 BC and 500 AD. European contact began in 1500 AD with the Portuguese Empire, and effective colonization of Kenya began in the 19th century during the European exploration of the interior. Modern-day Kenya emerged from a protectorate established by the British Empire in 1895 and the subsequent Kenya Colony, which began in 1920.
Numerous disputes between the UK and the colony led to the Mau Mau revolution, which began in 1952, and the declaration of independence in 1963. After independence, Kenya remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The current constitution was adopted in 2010 to replace the 1963 independence constitution.
Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, in which elected officials represent the people and the president is the head of state and government. Kenya is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, COMESA, International Criminal Court, and other international organizations. With a GNI of 1,840, Kenya is a lower-middle-income economy. Kenya’s economy is the largest in eastern and central Africa, with Nairobi serving as a major regional commercial hub.
Agriculture is the largest sector in Kenya with tea and coffee being the traditional cash crops, while fresh flowers are a fast-growing export. The service industry is also a major economic driver, particularly tourism. Kenya is a member of the East African Community trade bloc, though some international trade organizations categorize it as part of the Greater Horn of Africa. Africa is Kenya’s largest export market, followed by the European Union.
English is the official language of Kenya and Swahili being the national language. The country has more than 10 ethnic groups with beautiful cultures. Some of the notable tribes include Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, Somalis, Kisii, Mijikenda, Meru and others among which the Kikuyu tribe is the dominant with about 17 percent of the population. Christianity, Protestantism, Catholicism and other Christian, Islam, traditional faiths and pagan belief are the religion practiced in the country.
The Kenyan shilling is the currency used as a medium of exchange in the country. The currency has a lower rate when converted to the pounds, euro and dollar.
What is Kenya famous for?
Kenya has become one of the most visited countries in Africa over the years for their great destinations of tourism. Their safe guided tourist attractions have seen numerous travelers visiting daily which contributes enormously to the revenue of the country.
Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign exchange revenue following agriculture. The Kenya Tourism Board is the body responsible for maintaining information pertaining to tourism in Kenya. The main tourist attractions are photo safaris through the 60 national parks and game reserves.
Other attractions include the wildebeest migration at the Masaai Mara, which is considered to be the 7th wonder of the world, historical mosques and colonial-era forts at Mombasa. Malindi and Lamu is renowned scenery such as the white-capped Mount Kenya and the Great Rift Valley, tea plantations at Kericho, coffee plantations at Thika is also a splendid view of Mount Kilimanjaro across the border into Tanzania and the corals at the beaches along the Swahili Coast, in the Indian Ocean.
Recommended reading..Best Things Do At Maasai Mara Reserve National Park
Tourists, the largest number being from Germany and the United Kingdom (UK), are attracted mainly to the coastal beaches and the game reserves, notably, the expansive East and Tsavo West National Park, 20,808 square kilometres (8,034 sq mi) to the southeast. The safari game reserves have different species of animals like the Wildebeest, African Elephants, Impala, Zebras, Grey Kestrel, just to mention few.
There are the nicest and safest accommodations that will provide you with comfort while away from home. Giraffe manor is one of the notable bouquet you can look out for on your booking.
Plan your next travels to the great destination of Kenya in Africa to have a memorable experience that cannot be erased. Visit the Kenyan embassy in your country or online for your travel visas and flights to begin your journey.
View upcoming events and tours in Kenya.
Also read…
Travel Guide To Tanzania And Top Things To Do
Mount Kilimanjaro:The Highest Point In Africa
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