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The Swahili word safari (literally, journey) wouldn't mean much to most people if it wasn't for this East African adventure land. Revered by anthropologists as the 'cradle of humanity', Kenya is also the heart of African safari country, boasting the most diverse collection of wild animals on the continent. And no matter how many Tarzan movies you've seen, nothing will prepare you for the annual mass migration of wildebeests.

Unfortunately the wildlife isn't confined to the countryside: petty crime in Kenya's urban centres qualifies as one of the country's few growth industries. Since any encounter with the police is likely to end with money changing hands, you'd have less chance of being fleeced if you strapped a gazelle to your safari suit and went jogging among a pride of lions. Still, if you're a little bit brave - and a little bit sensible - Kenya promises the globe's most magnificent game parks, unsullied beaches, thriving coral reefs, memorable mountainscapes and ancient Swahili cities. Just remember to leave your Rolex at home.

Full country name: Republic of Kenya
Area: 583,000 sq km
Population: 32,000,000
Capital city: Nairobi
People: 22% Kikuyu, 14% Luhya, 13% Luo, 12% Kalenjin, 11% Kamba, 6% Kisii, 6% Meru, 16% other
Languages: English, Swahili, indigenous.
Religion: 40% Protestant, 36% Roman Catholic, 16% Muslim, 6% Animist
Government: Republic (multiparty state)

GDP: US$43.9 billion
GDP per head: US$1550
Annual growth: 1.6%
Inflation: 2.5%
Major industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural processing, oil refining, cement, tourism
Major trading partners: Uganda, Tanzania, UK, Germany, UAE, South Africa

 

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*The above information was obtained from www.lonelyplanet.com and Youth International
wants to acknowlege all due credit to the source of the information.