Kenya lies astride
the equator on the eastern coast of Africa. Kenya is bordered in the north by
Sudan and Ethiopia, in the east by Somalia, on the southeast by the Indian
Ocean, on the southwest by Tanzania and to the west by Lake Victoria and
Uganda.
Kenya is notable for its' geographical variety. The low-lying,
fertile coastal region, fringed with coral reefs and islands, is back by a
gradually rising coastal plain, a dry region covered with savanna and
thornbush.
At an altitude of about 1,524 m and 300 miles inland, the
plain gives way in the southwest to a high plateau, rising in parts to 3,048 m,
in which about 85% of the population and the majority of economic enterprise
are concentrated. The northern section of Kenya, forming three-fifths of the
whole territory, is arid and of semidesert character, as is the bulk of the
southeastern quarter. In the high plateau area, known as the Kenya Highlands,
lie Mt. Kenya (5,200 m), Mt Elgon (4,322m) and the Aberdare Ranger (rising to
over 3,963 m). The plateau is bisected from north to south by the Rift Valley,
part of the great geological fracture that can be traced from Syria through the
Red Sea and East Africa to Mozambique. In the north of Kenya, the valley is
broad and shallow, embracing Lake Turkana (160 miles long), while further south
it narrows and deepens and is walled by escarpments 610 to 930 mtr high. West
of the Rift Valley, the plateau descends to the plains that border Lake
Victoria. The principal rivers are the Tana and the Athi, flowing southeast to
the Indian Ocean, the Ewaso Ngiro flowing northeast to the swamps of the Lorian
Plain, and the Nzoia, Yala and Gori, which drain eastward into Lake Victoria.
Low plains rise to central highlands, divided by the Great African Rift
Valley.
The Africa Guide's recommended book
Travellers Kenya, 2nd ed - Thomas Cook
- Sept 06 (amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - UK comes from the world's leading
travel experts and has everything you need to plan the perfect trip. Inside you
will find: information on the top sights and the less well-known ones; walks
and tours with clear maps; places off the beaten track; special features on
cultural background and other aspects; holiday hints and tips; A-Z of essential
information; advice on shopping, eating out, sport and nightlife.
The Africa Guide's recommended book
Kenya Globetrotter Travel Map (amazon.com) - USA(amazon.co.uk) - Europe Globetrotter Travel Maps cater
specifically to the needs of tourists and visitors, packed with all the
essential information to introduce travellers to each dynamic destination. Key
buildings and places of interest are pinpointed, as well as where to stay.
Distance and climate charts enable travellers to plan their visits, while
stunning photographs conjure up each destination’s special
atmosphere.
