Kenya Geography

Kenya, located in Eastern Africa, boasts a remarkable geographic diversity that stretches from the tropical coastlines along the Indian Ocean to the arid inland regions. Covering a total area of 580,367 square kilometers, the country's landscape includes low plains rising to central highlands, which are divided by the Great Rift Valley. This unique geography supports a variety of ecosystems and is reflected in the land use, where approximately 49.5% is dedicated to agriculture, including arable land and permanent pastures. Notably, the Kenyan Highlands are among the most agriculturally productive regions in Africa, while Mount Kenya stands as the second-highest peak on the continent. The country's coastal region, with a 536 km long coastline, is complemented by its extensive maritime claims, including a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Kenya's natural resources, such as limestone, hydropower, and wildlife, further enhance its economic and ecological significance. These features make Kenya a vital hub of biodiversity and cultural heritage in the African continent.

Area

land

569,140 sq km

water

11,227 sq km

total

580,367 sq km

Climate

ranges from tropical near the coastline to arid in the inland regions

Terrain

low plains elevate to central highlands separated by the Great Rift Valley; a fertile plateau is located in the western region

Land use

other

44% (2023 est.)

forest

6.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

49.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 36.7% (2023 est.)

Location

Eastern Africa, situated along the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Coastline

536 km

Elevation

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

mean elevation

762 m

Irrigated land

1,030 sq km (2012)

Major aquifers

Ogaden-Juba Basin

Map references

Africa

Land boundaries

total

3,457 km

border countries

Ethiopia 867 km; Somalia 684 km; South Sudan 317 km; Tanzania 775 km; Uganda 814 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; flooding occurs during the rainy seasons

volcanism: minimal volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island represents the only other historically active volcano

Geography - note

the Kenyan Highlands are among the most productive agricultural regions in Africa; glaciers are present on Mount Kenya, which is the continent's second-highest peak; the distinctive physiography fosters a diverse and abundant wildlife population of both scientific and economic significance; Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake globally and the second-largest freshwater lake, is shared by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Natural resources

limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Area - comparative

five times larger than Ohio; just over double the size of Nevada

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Population distribution

the population is predominantly situated in the western region along the shores of Lake Victoria; additional densely populated areas include the capital city of Nairobi and the southeastern region along the Indian Ocean coast, as illustrated in this population distribution map

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s)

Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km

fresh water lake(s)

Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage

(Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

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