Kenya is on the east coast of Africa with the equator running through the middle. It is about the size of Texas. It is west of Somalia, south of Ethiopia and Sudan, east of Uganda and Lake Victoria and north of Tanzania. Kenya’s short coastline boarders the India Ocean. Kenya’s land is full of variety. It has huge grassy plains also know as savanna ,which covers three quarters of the land. There are bamboo forest, rich farmland, waterfalls, deserts, white sand beaches, and snow capped mountains.
Because of it’s location its climate is sunny and hot. Oddly enough because of the variation in altitude a person can be very hot on the grassland or build a snowman on Africa’s second highest mountain, Mount Kirinyaga ( Mount Kenya). This mountain is covered with snow all year.
An ancient trench of land cuts from north to south. This is called the Great Rift Valley. It cuts through the highlands of central and southwestern Kenya, one quarter of the country. The highlands have a mild climate, plenty of rainfall making soil good for farming. This is the most populated region with 80% of Kenya’s people living there.
Kenya’s large savanna has a great population and concentration of wild animals. They include large herds of elephants, some rhinoceros and hippopotamus. Shallow waters are home to crocodiles and shore birds and a variety of snakes including cobras and pythons.
The relationship between people and animals is strong. The wildlife is important to their heritage. Therefore no hunting is allowed in Kenya. People who hunt, kill or steal animals illegally are severely punished if caught.
There are more than forty natural parks and game reserves. They cover almost 10% of the country. The largest Tsavo National Park covers an area the size of Massachusetts.
