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 Capital
of Kenya, situated at an altitude of about 1660 m (about
5450 ft) in the highlands of the southern part of the
country.
Nairobi is Kenya's principal economic, administrative,
and cultural center and is one of the largest and fastest
growing cities in Africa. Manufactures include processed
food, textiles, clothing, building materials, and communications
and transportation equipment. The city also has a large
tourist industry.
The University of Nairobi (1956), Kenya Polytechnic (1961),
and Kenya Conservatoire of Music (1944) are here.
Nairobi National Park, a large wildlife preserve on the
outskirts of the city, is a major tourist attraction.
Other points of interest include the National Museum of
Kenya, known for a display on early humans in Africa;
the Parliament buildings; the law courts; City Hall; McMillan
Memorial Library; the busy Municipal Market and nearby
bazaar; the Kenya National Theatre; and Sorsbie Art Gallery.
Located in an area once frequented by the pastoral Maasai,
Nairobi was founded in the late 1890s as a British railroad
camp on the Mombasa to Uganda railroad. From 1899 to 1905
it served as a British provincial capital. In 1905 the
city became the capital of the British East Africa Protectorate
(called Kenya Colony from 1920 to 1963). In 1963 Nairobi
became the capital of independent Kenya and annexed neighboring
areas for future growth.
 Situated
on the Indian Ocean in southern Kenya, is the nation's
main port. 75% of its population is black African and
the rest Asian and Arab.
Most of the city is located on Mombasa Island, which is
connected to the mainland by causeways and bridges. About
2,000 ocean going ships use Mombasa's modern, deepwater
harbor every year. It is the only port for both Kenya
and landlocked Uganda.
Mombasa's industries include petroleum refining and cement,
automobile production, and processed-food manufacturing.
By the 8th century, Arab traders had settled there.
Mombasa was visited by Vasco de Gama in 1498, and the
city was essentially controlled by the Portuguese in the
16th and 17th centuries. The sultan of Zanzibar controlled
the port from 1840 to 1895, when the British took over
and made Mombasa the capital (until 1907) of their East
Africa Protectorate. |
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 Malindi
is second to Mombasa in size on the Kenyan Coast. Many
beach resorts here have a significant Italian influence.
Malindi is famous for its Marine National Park and for
deep-sea fishing.
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 Being
an interesting, historic town of Kenya, Lamu attracts
many visitors. This ancient town has narrow winding
streets, historic ruins and monuments and colorful markets.
Donkeys and dhows are the only mode of transportation
here. A perfect place to return to nature, explore a
coral reef, sail on a dhow or stay in a romantic grass
shack on a secluded beach.
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Last
update:
April 29, 2001
Copyright ©2001  and
its licensors. All rights reserved
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the
coast
safaris
nairobi
