Geography of Kenya

This article describes the geography of Kenya.

Location -
: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Geographic coordinates -
:

Map references -
: Africa

Area -
:* Total: 582,650 km²
:* Land: 569,250 km²
:* Water: 13,400 km²

Land boundaries -
:* Total: 3,446 km
:* Border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Coastline -
: 536 km

Maritime claims -
:* Continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
:* Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
:* Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate -
: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Terrain -
: Low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Elevation extremes -
:* Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
:* Highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Natural resources -
: Gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barites, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower

Land use -
:* Arable land: 7%
:* Permanent crops: 1%
:* Permanent pastures: 37%
:* Forests and woodland: 30%
:* Other: 25% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land -
: 660 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards -
: Recurring drought in northern and eastern regions; flooding during rainy seasons

Environment--current issues -
: Water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

Environment--international agreements -
:* Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
:* Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography--note -
: The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value

See also