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Kenya

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

 

Administrative divisions

 

The provinces of Kenya.

 

The provinces of Kenya.

 

Kenya comprises eight provinces each headed by a centrally-appointed (by the president) Provincial Commissioner. The provinces (mikowa) are subdivided into seventy-one districts (wilaya'at) which are then subdivided into 262 divisions (taarafa). The divisions are then subdivided into approximately 1,088 locations (kata) and then sublocations (kata ndogo). The City of Nairobi enjoys the status of a full administrative province. The government supervises administration of districts and provinces. The provinces are:

  1. Central
  2. Coast
  3. Eastern
  4. Nairobi
  5. North Eastern
  6. Nyanza
  7. Rift Valley
  8. Western

 

Geography

 

 

At 224,961 mi² (582,646 km²), Kenya is the world's forty-seventh largest country (after Madagascar). It is comparable in size to France, and is somewhat smaller than the US state of Texas.

From the coast on the Indian Ocean the Low plains rise to central highlands. The highlands are bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. The highlands are the site of the highest point in Kenya (and the second highest in Africa): Mount Kenya, which reaches 5,199 meters (17,057 ft) and is also the site of glaciers. Climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in interior.

Environment

 

Kenya has considerable land area of wildlife habitat, including maasai mara, where blue wildebeest and other bovids participate in a large scale annual migration. Up to 250,000 blue wildebeest perish each year in the long and arduous movement to find forage in the dry season. The "Big Five" animals of Africa can also be found in Kenya: the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant. A significant population of other wild animals, reptiles and birds can be found in the national parks and game reserves in the country. The environment of Kenya is threatened by high population growth and its side-effects.

Climate

Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country.

Average annual temperatures

City

Elevation (m)

Max (°C)

Min (°C)

Mombasa  

coastal town

17

30.3

22.4

Nairobi

capital city

1,661

25.2

13.6

Eldoret

 

3,085

23.6

9.5

Lodwar

dry north plainlands

506

34.8

23.7

Mandera

dry north plainlands

506

34.8

25.7

The country receives a great deal of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning.

The long rain season occurs from April to June. The short rain season occurs from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.

The annual migration occurs between June and September with millions of wildlife taking part. It has been a popular event for filmmakers to capture.

 

 

 

 

 

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kenya&action=history

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