Geography of Kenya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The geography of Kenya is diverse. Kenya has a coastline on the Indian Ocean, broad plains and numerous hills. Central and Western Kenya is characterized by the Great Rift Valley. Three of Africa's highest mountains are located in Kenya or its vicinity. These are Mount Kenya, Mount Elgon and Kilimanjaro. The Kakamega Forest in western Kenya is relic of an East African rainforest. Much larger is Mau Forest, the largest forest complex in East Africa.

Contents 1 Geography 1.1 Location 1.2 Area 1.3 Land boundaries 2 Coastline 2.1 Maritime claims 3 Climate 3.1 Terrain 3.2 Elevation extremes 4 Water 5 Natural resources 6 Land use 6.1 Irrigated land 7 Natural hazards 7.1 Environment 7.1.1 Current issues 7.1.2 International agreements 8 Other 9 See also

[edit] Geography

[edit] Location

• Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
• Geographic coordinates: 1°00′N, 38°00′E

[edit] Area

• Total: 582 650 km²
• Land: 569 250 km²
• Water: 13 400 km²

[edit] Land boundaries

• Total: 3446 km
• Border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

[edit] Coastline

• 536 km along the Indian Ocean.

[edit] Maritime claims

• Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
• Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Territorial sea: 12 nm

[edit] Climate

• Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior of the country

[edit] Terrain

• Low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

[edit] Elevation extremes

• Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
• Highest point: Mount Kenya 5 199 m

[edit] Water

The two main rivers are the Galana and the Tana.

[edit] Natural resources

• Gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barites, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower

[edit] Land use

• Arable land: 7%
• Permanent crops: 1%
• Permanent pastures: 37%
• Forests and woodland: 30%
• Other: 25% (1993 est.)

[edit] Irrigated land

• 660 km² (1993 est.)

[edit] Natural hazards

• Recurring drought in northern and eastern regions; flooding during rainy seasons

[edit] Environment

[edit] Current issues

Water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

[edit] International agreements

• Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution (MARPOL 73/78), Wetlands, Whaling
• Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

[edit] Other

• The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa.
• Glaciers on Mt. Kenya.
• Unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value.

[edit] See also

• Environmental issues in Kenya
• List of national parks of Kenya

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