Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean,
between Somalia and Tanzania. The climate varies from tropical
along the coast to arid in interior sections. Some natural hazards
are recurring drought and flooding during rainy seasons. Natural
resources include limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar,
zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, and hydropower. The government
is a republic. Kenya declared independence from the UK on December
12, 1963. Kenya has population of 39,002,772 people and is ranked
33 in comparison with the world according to July 2009 estimates.
One thing to note is that this total takes into account the
mortality rates due to AIDS. The languages are broken down in the
following manner: English (official), Kiswahili (official), and
numerous indigenous languages. The most popular industries are
small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries,
textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural
products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead;
cement, commercial ship repair, and tourism. According to a 2000
estimate, 50% of the population is below the poverty line.
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GDP (purchasing power parity): $61.51
billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Currency: 1 United States
Dollar = 74.7 Kenya Shillings (KES)
Environment - current issues: water pollution
from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from
increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth
infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion;
desertification; poaching
Infant Mortality Rate
total: 54.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 44
male: 57.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth
total population: 57.86 years
country comparison to the world: 188
male: 57.49 years
female: 58.24 years (2009 est.)
Total Fertility Rate
4.56 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.1%
male: 90.6%
female: 79.7% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate: 40% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188