Ujima

Kenya is located in eastern Africa, on the equator. Its boundaries extend from the Indian Ocean deep into the interior of the continent. Kenya is a large country, with an area of 582,650 square kilometers. This means it is about as big as France, or more than four times the size of New York State.

Kenya is made up of three main geographical areas. In human terms, the most important region of the country is the highland area in southwestern Kenya. This is an area of beautiful valleys, plateaus and mountains, and covers about one quarter of Kenya. It includes the second-highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kirinyaga (also known as Mount Kenya) which rises to 17,058 feet. Forests and grasslands dominate the highland area. There is sufficient rainfall and the soils are often fertile and so the region is extensively occupied and farmed. Three quarters of all Kenyans live in the highland area, and the capital and largest city, Nairobi, is located here. The Great Rift Valley runs through the western part of Kenya, adding further to the beauty and drama of this region.

Between the highland area and the coast are vast, empty plains, where the climate is dry and the soils are poor. Relatively few people live on these plains. In contrast, the coastal area is hot and humid, and contains spectacular beaches, lagoons, swamps and patches of rainforest. Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and largest port, is located here. Abundant rainfall and suitable soils support a considerable amount of agriculture in the coastal area.

Tsavo National Park, Kenya. Frances Elizabeth Hanan © California Academy of Sciences