Kenya

A. Introduction

Kenya is located in East Africa, with an area of 582,660 km2. Its east coast, with a tropical climate is lapped by the Indian Ocean. The Great Rift Valley and central highlands area offers the most agreeable weather and an abundant supply of agricultural produce.

Kenya is the heart of African safari countries with its world-famous wildlife national parks. It has a population of around 52 million. Natural resources are gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barites, rubies, fluorspar, garnets and wildlife.

B. Economic and Social Situation

Although Kenya is rich in natural resources, its economy is stagnating because of instability in the political and social situation.

English and Swahili are the official languages. The major religion is Protestantism, followed by Roman Catholicism and Islam.

Industries in the country include small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing, oil refining, cement and tourism.

Agriculture is the main vein of Kenya's economy, which is the second largest contributor to its gross domestic product. Some of the major commodities for exports are tea, coffee, horticultural products, chrysanthemum, pineapple, tobacco and cotton.

There are roughly 60 national parks and hunting reserves, taking up to about 75% of the land in Kenya. There, you can see a wide variety of wildlife African animals and plants. From a small luxurious lodge in the park or a ride on open-top bus enables one to have a good view of the animals. Kenya is a world-famous tourism and wildlife study location.