Geography of Kenya

Geography of Kenya
ContinentAfrica
RegionEast Africa
Coordinates1°00′N 38°00′E / 1.000°N 38.000°E / 1.000; 38.000
AreaRanked 48th
 • Total580,367 km2 (224,081 sq mi)
 • Land98.07%
 • Water1.93%
Coastline490 km (300 mi)
Borders3,446 km (2,141 mi)
Highest pointMount Kenya
5,197 metres (17,051 ft)
Lowest pointIndian Ocean
0 metres (0 ft)
Longest riverTana River (Kenya) (wholly within Kenya)
800 km (500 mi)
Largest lakeLake Turkana
6,405 km2 (2,473 sq mi)
Exclusive economic zone116,942 km2 (45,152 sq mi)
A United Nations map of Kenya
Location of Kenya

The Geography of Kenya is diverse, varying amongst its 47 counties. Kenya has a coastline on the Indian Ocean, which contains swamps of East African mangroves. Inland are broad plains and numerous hills. Kenya borders South Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, and Ethiopia to the north. Kenya currently faces border disputes with South Sudan over the Ilemi Triangle and with Somalia over Jubbaland where, if the Somalian Government gives it up, it could be a new part of Kenya, which would bring the total land area of Kenya to approximately 692,939 km2.

Central and Western Kenya is characterized by the Kenyan Rift Valley and central Province home to the highest mountain, Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon on the border between Kenya and Uganda. The Kakamega Forest in western Kenya is a relic of an East African rainforest. Much bigger is Mau Forest, the largest forest complex in East Africa.


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