19facts you may not know about Kenya
1. Kenya is located in East Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia, and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
2. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is known as the “green city in the sun” because of its abundant greenery and pleasant climate.
3. Swahili and English are the two official languages of Kenya, with Swahili being used as a lingua franca among different ethnic groups.
4. Kenya has a population of more than 54 million and includes diverse ethnic groups such as the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai and others.
5. The country is known for its rich wildlife and is home to the “Big Five” of wild animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros.
6. Masai Mara National Reserve, located in southwestern Kenya, is known for its annual wildebeest migration and diverse wildlife.
7. Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule in 1963 and is now a republic with a president as the head of state and government.
8. Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak after Kilimanjaro, is located in central Kenya and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9. The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya and is known for its stunning scenery, lakes such as Lake Turkana and Lake Naivasha, and geological formations.
10. Kenyan cuisine is diverse, including staple foods such as ugali (corn porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat) and samosas, with influences from various ethnic groups.
11. Lake Victoria, which it shares with Uganda and Tanzania, is the world's largest tropical lake and a vital water source for Kenya.
12. Kenya has a mixed economy, with agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services sectors contributing significantly to its GDP.
13. Nairobi National Park, located just outside the capital, is unique in being the only national park in the world within the borders of a capital city.
14. Kenya is known for its vibrant culture, music and dance, with traditional celebrations such as weddings and rites of passage being important social events.
15. The Old Town of Mombasa, on the coast of Kenya, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its Swahili architecture, markets and history.
16. Kenya has a diverse climate, ranging from tropical on the coast to dry inland, with variations in temperature and rainfall throughout the year.
17. Kenyan athletes are world-renowned for their prowess in long-distance racing, especially marathons and middle-distance races.
18. The Masai Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, shared with Tanzania, hosts one of the most spectacular wildlife migrations on Earth, attracting tourists from around the world.
19. Kenya celebrates cultural festivals such as Republic Day (Independence Day) on December 12 and Madaraka Day on June 1, which commemorates the achievement of self-rule.
Source: websites