Welcome to Magical Kenya

Peace Corps invites me to serve....Here's some info about Kenya and good reasons why I'm totally excited!!


LOCATION
The Republic of Kenya is in East Africa, and shares coast with the Indian Ocean. Kenya is bordered by Ethiopia (north), Somalia (northeast), Tanzania (south), Uganda plus Lake Victoria (west), and Sudan (northwest).

CLIMATE and GEOGRAPHY
The geography of Kenya ranges from the coast of the Indian Ocean to the Low plains which rise to central highlands. The highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley ; a fertile plateau in the east. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. The highlands are the site of the highest point in Kenya (and the second highest in Africa): Mount Kenya, which reaches 17,057 ft and is also the site of glaciers. Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft) can be seen in South Kenya on the Tanzanian border. Kenya has numerous wildlife reserves, containing thousands of animal species. Kenya also claims a portion of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. The "Big Five" animals of Africa can also be found in Kenya: lion, leopard, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant. The annual animal migration - especially migration of the wildebeest - occurs between June and September with millions of animals taking part. With the equator running straight through the country, Kenya has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. There is however a lot of rain between March and May, and moderate rain in October and November. The temperature remains high throughout these months.

PEOPLE and HEALTH
The population has grown rapidly in recent decades to nearly 38 million. In 2007, it was estimated that 1.4 million Kenyans (ages 15-64) are living with HIV, with women representing 3 out of 5 people living with HIV. Life expectancy: 57.86 years. There is free primary education, and in 2007 the government issued a statement declaring that from 2008, secondary education would be heavily subsidized, with the government footing all tuition fees. Kenya is currently facing its worst drought in decades, with many crops and much livestock destroyed. The U.N. World Food Program recently said that nearly four million Kenyans urgently needed food. Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%

GOVERNMENT
Semi-presidential Republic; current President: Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister: Raila Odinga. The President is both the head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

RANDOM FACTS

• The country was named after Mt. Kenya.
• Capital: Nairobi
• Time difference is GMT+ 3, or 8 hours ahead of EST (7 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time)
• Official languages: Swahili (Kiswahili), English
• Gained independence from the United Kingdom Deceber 12, 1963
• International calling code: +254 (holla at yo girl!)
• November 4th is a public holiday to celebrate the election of Barack Obama
• 181 airports...come visit!

Citations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ke.html