Geography of Kenya
The geography of Kenya is diverse. Kenya has coastline with Indian Ocean, large plains and numerous hills. Central and Western Kenya is typified by the Great Rift Valley. Three highest mountains of Africa are located in Kenya or its vicinity. Those 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.
Geography
Location
- Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
- Geographic coordinates: 1°00′N 38°00′E / 1.000°N 38.000°E
Area
- Total: 582,650 km²
- Land: 569,250 km²
- Water: 13,400 km²
Land boundaries
- Total: 3,446 km
- Border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline
- 536 km long on the eastern coat of the Atlantic Ocean.
Maritime claims
- Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
Terrain
- Low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
Elevation extremes
- Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
- Highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Water
The two main rivers are the Galana and the Tana.
Natural resources
Land use
- Arable land: 7%
- Permanent crops: 1%
- Permanent pastures: 37%
- Forests and woodland: 30%
- Other: 25% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
- 660 km² (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
- Recurring drought in northern and eastern regions; flooding during rainy seasons
Environment--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
Environment--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
Trivia
- 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