An Overview Of Kenya For Travelers

An Overview of Kenya for Travelers

Summary: Kenya is stunningly beautiful African country that has seen its share of good and bad times. If you are traveling to Kenya, the following information will give you a head start.

kenya, africa, kenyans, saharan, england, ethnic groups, colonial, corruption, economy

Article Body: Kenya is stunningly beautiful African country that has seen its share of good and bad times. If you are traveling to Kenya, the following information will give you a head start.

An Overview of Kenya for Travelers

Kenya is a crossroads country in Africa, which means a little bit of various African countries reside there. More than languages are spoken and as many as eleven different ethnic groups can be identified. The religious breakdown is also very diverse. Despite this variety, the country has a fairly harmonious existence. The national slogan is harambee which loosely translates to lets pull together.

Compared to other sub-Saharan countries, Kenya has historically been advanced in infrastructure and general living standards. During the colonial period, England controlled the country and developed the area. Kenyans were not allowed to participate in government, much like South Africa. As you might expect, Kenyans rebelled and eventually became independent on December , . The Kenya Peoples Union then became the only political party and ruled until . In October , the National Rainbow Coalition dominated elections.

Following independence, Kenya continued to grow economically and the standard of living was the envy of much of Africa. Unfortunately, corruption threw a wrench in the proceedings the country has suffered from a lurching economy for the last years. In , the country turned things around and things have generally improved since then.

Kenya covers , square miles and is slightly smaller than Texas. The capital is Nairobi. Kenya rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above , feet in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Mountain plains cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west. The climate varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.

The people of Kenya are known as Kenyans. Total population is million and growing at . percent a year. Ethnic groups break down as Kikuyu percent Luhya percent, Luo percent, Kalenjin percent, Kamba percent, Kisii percent, Meru percent. Religious break down is Indigenous beliefs percent, Protestant percent, Roman Catholic percent, Muslim percent. Languages include English, Swahili, and more than local ethnic languages. The literacy rate is percent and life expectancy is years of age.

As this brief overview reveals, the country suffers the economic problems of many countries in Africa. That being said, it is beautiful place that will hopefully overcome such hurdles. It is definitely a place you will remember visiting.