By: Holly Buell
Is the second highest mountain in Africa. Is an extinct Volcano. From 5,000 to 10,000 ft. there are dense woodlands which are home to elephants, buffalo, and leopards. There is a national park located there, called Mount Kenya National Park.
There are three main rivers in Kenya: The Galana River The Tana River The Athi River
Is the World s second largest fresh water lake. Has a surface area of 70,000 sq km. Although it is a large lake, it has a maximum depth of only 100 meters. Although this lake is bordered by multiple countries it is no longer possible to travel between these countries via the lake.
The lake is an important fishery, but fish stocks and diversity have decreased. The area surrounding the lake is home to many animals, especially birds: Such as the Hooded Plover, Little Egret, and Orange-Bellied Parrot.
Species of fish in Lake Victoria include: Alestes Bargus Barbus Clarias Labeo Momrys Tilapias
Is 170 miles long. Is surrounded by desolate volcanic mountains, and has no outlet but has interior drainage. It has become increasingly saline.
Species of fish found in Lake Turkana include: Lates Niloticus Tilapias Labeo Clarias Citharinus
Is said to be Kenya s last remnant of the ancient Guineo-Congolian rainforest which once spread across the continent. The forest encloses 230 square kilometers. Has a huge variety in birds, reptiles, and insects. Which makes it an eco-tourists spot. The climate is very wet, with over 2 meters of rain annually. In the north there is the 36 km-square Kakamega National Reserve.
Is a geological fault system. It extends 4,830 km. In South Kenya the Great Rift Valley elevates 1,830 m. above sea level. In Kenya, especially, erosion has caused many there to be many sheer cliffs.
South East Kenya is bordered by the Indian Ocean. Kenya has 536 km. of coastline. Kenya has a territorial sea of 12 nm. Kenya has an exclusive economic zone of 200 nm.
Demersal: Cat Fish, Rock Cod, Parrot Fish, Pouter, Grunter, Rabbit Fish, and Snapper Pelagics: King Fish, Tunas, Dolphins, Mullets, Sail Fish, Barracudas, and Queen Fish Crustaceans: Lobsters, Prawns, and Crabs
Kenya has low plains which rise to central highlands. These highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley. Kenya s highest point: Mt. Kenya- 5,199 m. Kenya s lowest point: Indian Ocean- 0 m. The Kenyan highlands are one of the most successful agriculture regions of Africa.
According to Koppen s system Kenya has climates of Seasonally-humid tropical, Desert, and Semi Arid. The climate is tropical near the coast and arid in the interior.
Only 1/7 of the land receives reliable yearly rainfall of 30 in. or more. Rain throughout Kenya is very unreliable. This is why drought is a common problem in Kenya.
In 2006 Kenya had a terrible drought. That year seasonal rains failed, which led to problems for animals and people. No rain means no grazing, so farmers were greatly affected. The people are also not receiving the nourishment they need, and the government has no recourses to fix that.
A report last February warns that Kenya s food security is under serious threat from climate change. The semi-arid and arid lands cover about 83% of Kenya, and only a small percentage of that land is suitable for livestock. Some 400,000 Kenyans who grow 60% of the tea in the country are at risk of losing their crop if the temperature has a rise of only two degrees.
In the coastal region: Coconut Trees and Mangrove swamps
In the Hinterlands and Northern Regions: grass, low bush, and the start of Savannah land.
In the Highlands: Bamboo and valuable timber
Herbivores: Elephant- Can be from the hot coastlands to the cool moorlands. Also found in parks around Kenya. Rhinoceros- Many have been located to parks because they are endangered. However, some roam freely. Eland- Is the largest antelope in the Savannah. Weighing around 600 kilograms. They are found in the Savannah lands.
Predators: Lion- Can be found all over Kenya. Cheetah- Is known for its speed. Cheetahs are endangered so they will be found in many parks, but can also be seen running freely through Kenya. Hyena- Have the strongest jaw pressure and most powerful bite of any animal. They are both spotted and stripped. They can be seen commonly in Kenya.
Kenya s natural resources include: Limestone, Soda, Ash, Salt, Gemstones, Fluorspar, Zinc, Diatomite, Gypsum, Wildlife, and Hydropower.
When drought hit Kenya last year the lights went out as well. Kenya depends on hydroelectric energy for 65% of its electricity. The Kenyan government wanted to make sure that the drought would not effect the country as harshly the next time. So they have implemented a new plan for energy.
Kenya is now borrowing $97 million more from China s Exim Bank to build another 140-megawatt geothermal plant. Kenya estimates that it s capable of generating 7,000 megawatts of geothermal energy. This will help to generate lower costs for consumers. If Kenya pulls this off it will be the dominant provider for geothermal energy in Africa.
One pro for this project is that will improve the quality of life for citizens. Also Kenya will not have to be as worried when droughts come. One con for this project is that Kenya will now have more loans to foreign countries. Some people are questioning how reliant on other countries they should be.
4,100 square miles of Kenya consists of natural lakes. Fishing in Kenya is mostly done by artisanal fishermen. Fisheries provide employment and income to 500,000 Kenyans. In 2003 the fishing industry had a value of approximately KShs 8 billion. (In 2003 the exchange rate of KShs to US $ was 75.9 to 1)
About 92% of the fish come from Lake Victoria. About 4% of the fish come from the Indian Ocean. About 3% of the fish come from inland lakes and rivers. And about 1% of the fish come from aquatic culture.
There are about 17 industrial fish processing companies in Kenya. These companies deal with different types of fish, including: Nile Perch Prawns Lobsters Octopus Cuttlefish Squids Tuna
In 2002 the percentage breakdown of fish exported was: 84% Nile Perch 13% Tuna 3% Others
75% of occupations in Kenya are in agriculture. Agriculture makes up 21.4% of the GDP of Kenya. Natural hazards dealing with agriculture in Kenya are: recurring drought and flooding during the rainy season.
The major agricultural products of Kenya include: Coffee Tea Wheat Corn Potatoes Sugarcane Fruit Vegetables Dairy Products Beef Pork Eggs
Kenya has a population of 39,002,772. This ranks them 33 rd in the world. Kenya has a population growth rate of 2.691%. The Urban population makes up 22% of the population. The population living with HIV/AIDS is 1.2 million.
0-14 years: 42.3% 15-64 years: 55.1% 65 years and older: 2.6% Median Age: Male-18.7 yrs. Female- 18.8 yrs.
Birth Rate: 36.64 births/1,000 population Death Rate: 9.72 deaths/1,000 population Infant Mortality Rate: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births Net Migration Rate: 0 Migrant(s)/1,000 population Meaning there is the around the same amount immigrating and emigrating.
Total Fertility Rate: 4.56 children born/woman Life Expectancy at Birth: Total population- 57.86 years Male- 57.49 years Female- 58.24 years
Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11% Kisii: 6% Meru: 6% Other African: 15% Non-African: 1%
There is an estimated population of 590,000 Maasai people in Kenya. They live in the Southern Region of the Great Rift Valley, in the south of Kenya. They are traditionally nomadic people.
Are Kenya s traditional forest dwellers. The majority of the members live in the Mau forest, in the Great Rift Valley province. Their population is estimated from 5,000 to 20,000 people. However, no census has been done on this endangered community.
An article written on November 14,2009 looked at a major problem the Ogiek people were facing. The Kenyan government is getting ready to get rid of all the people living in the Mau forest. The government used too much of the forest so now they want all the people out so they can plant more trees. The Ogiek leader says he believes the only people who will benefit from this eviction are the saw millers.
The 1995 roan antelope census showed a 30% decline in numbers in one year. Only 22 of these antelopes remain in Kenya. The major threat to these animals is subsistence poaching. They are sought after for their skin and meat. Efforts are being made to keep these antelope in national parks.
In 1996 it was estimated that there were 30,000 to 100,000 free roaming lions in Kenya. By 2004 the estimated lion population declined to 23,000 lions in Kenya.
Furdan is a lion killing pesticide that Kenyans are trying to ban completely. Farmers and herders are buying this pesticide to try to help their animals to survive. But by doing this they are killing off the lion population. Kenya is working to get furdan completely off the market.
According to a report done in 2005 the population of birds could be threatened. This study looked at important bird areas and how they were being up kept. In 57% of the IRAs overgrazing and illegal grazing is a problem. Logging is a threat to 73% of the IRAs. Invasive and exotic species, especially plants, threaten 27% of IRAs. If these statistics are not fixed the populations of many birds will be effected for the worse.
Animal populations have decreased because of increased human settlement in the unfenced park. From 1989-2003 there has been a decrease in: Giraffes: by at least 95% Warthogs: by 80% Hartebeest: by 76%
Due to urban and industrial waste. Also there is a decreasing water quality because of pesticides.
The United Nations Environmental Program says that the agricultural sector is losing up to Sh200 billion revenue because of soil erosion.
Poaching causes a huge problem for animal populations around Kenya. Many of these poached animals are facing being endangered species or extinct.
I chose the country of Kenya because my aunt and uncle were missionaries there. My Aunt and Uncle were in Garissa Kenya, which is in North East Kenya. I interviewed my Aunt about her time in Kenya.
The area they were in was desert land. When they were there Garissa was in a drought. This led to famine and loss in livelihood. The animals in this area include giraffes, crocodiles, baboons, gazelles, and many other animals.