Jamhouri ya Kenya

Origin of Name the country was named for a mountain that the Kikuyu people call Kirinyaga ("Mountain of Whiteness")

Location eastern Africa
Bordered By Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania

Area 224,961 sq mi (582,646 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 560 mi (901 km)
Greatest Distance N-S 640 mi (1,030 km)
Coastline 284 mi (457 km)
Highest Point Mount Kenya; 17,058 ft (5,199 m)
Lowest Point Indian Ocean cost; sea level
Natural Resources limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Nationality Kenyan
Population (July 2014 est) 45,010,056
Largest Cities Nairobi
Ethnic Groups Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, Meru, other African, non-African
Religions Protestant, Catholic, Muslim
Languages English (official), Kiswahili (official)

Capital Nairobi
Form of Government republic
Present Constitution Adopted August 27, 2010
Chief of State and Head of Government President Uhuru Kenyatta (since April 9, 2013)
Cabinet appointed by the President
Legislature bicameral parliament
Judiciary Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, High Court
Administrative Divisions 7 provinces and 1 area

Currency Kenyan shilling
Per Capita Income $1,800
Industries small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism
Agricultural Products tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Export Commodities tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement
Import Commodities machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Independence from Great Britain Achieved December 12, 1963
National Holiday Independence Day, December 12
Flag three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center; black symbolizes the majority population, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green stands for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom

SEE ALSO
Uganda
Sudan
Ethiopia
Somalia
Tanzania
Great Britain

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This page was last updated on 05/25/2017.