The
Swahili word safari (literally, journey) wouldn't mean much
to most people if it wasn't for this East African adventure
land. Revered by anthropologists as the 'cradle of humanity',
Kenya is also the heart of African safari country, boasting
the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent.
And no matter how many Tarzan movies you've seen, nothing
will prepare you for the annual mass migration of wildebeests
in the Masai Mara.
Unfortunately,
the feral activity isn't confined to the countryside: petty
crime in Kenya's urban centres qualifies as one of the country's
few growth industries. Still, if you're a little bit brave
- and a little bit sensible - Kenya promises the globe's most
magnificent wildlife parks, unsullied beaches, thriving coral
reefs, memorable mountain scapes and ancient Swahili cities.
Just remember to leave your Rolex at home.
Full
country name: Republic of Kenya
Area: 583,000 sq km
Population: 30,766,000
Capital city: Nairobi
People: 22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba,
6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 16% other
Languages: English, Swahili, indigenous.
Religion: 35% Protestant, 30% Roman Catholic, 30% Muslim, 5%
Animist
Government: Republic (multiparty state)
President: Mwai Kibaki
GDP:
US$23.9 billion
GDP per head: US$360
Annual growth: 1.6%
Inflation: 4.5%
Major industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture,
beer, batteries, textiles, flour), agricultural processing,
oil refining, chemicals, cement, tourism
Major trading partners: Uganda, Tanzania, UK, Germany, UAE,
South Africa
|
