Kenya is a country in East Africa bordering the Indian Ocean, with Tanzania to the south and Ethiopia to the north. It is famous for its remarkable wildlife, including the annual Great Migration of wildebeest across the Maasai Mara. Kenya is also celebrated for its long-distance runners, who have dominated international athletics for decades.
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Eastern Africa
- Area
- 580,367 km²
- Coordinates
- 1° N, 38° E
Country facts
- Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule on December 12, 1963.
- The country is home to Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa.
- Swahili and English are both official languages of Kenya.
- The Maasai Mara National Reserve hosts one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth each year.
- Kenya straddles the equator, giving it a remarkably diverse range of climates and ecosystems.
Capital facts
- Nairobi was founded in 1899 as a railway supply depot during the construction of the Uganda Railway.
- The city is home to Nairobi National Park, the only national park situated within a major capital city.
- Nairobi serves as a major hub for international organizations, including the UN Environment Programme.
- The name Nairobi comes from a Maasai phrase meaning 'cool water,' referring to a local river.
- The Kenyatta International Convention Centre, with its distinctive circular tower, is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.