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Kenya is located on the east coast of Africa,with the equator running almost straight through the middle of the country. Kenya is a sovereign state having achieved independence from British rule on 12th December 1963.
One year later on 12th December 1964 Kenya became a full - fledged Republic. Kenya is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African States (COMESA) Free Trade Area,East African Community (EAC),Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.
She has an area of 582,644 sq. km. of which 45,240 sq. km. (7.8%) is under wildlife conservation sanctuaries (national parks and reserves) The country shares common borders with Somalia (east),Ethiopia (north),Sudan (north-west),Uganda (west) and Tanzania (south). To the south- east lies the Indian Ocean making the country the maritime gateway to East and Central Africa.
BASIC DATA | | 1. | Independence Day: | 12 th December 1963 | | 2. | Area: | 582,646 Square km | | 3. | Location: | East Coast of Africa 5 0 Latitude North, 4 0 South, 34 0 East | | 4. | Population | Estimated at 37.2 million in 2007 | | 5. | Official Language | English | | 6. | National Language | Kiswahili | | 7. | Capital | Nairobi | | 8. | Principal Towns | Mombasa , Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika | | 9. | Time Zone | Three hours ahead of GMT | | 10. | Business Hours Monday | Friday 08:00 to 13.00 Hours and 14:00 to 17:00 Hours | | | Banking Hours Monday | Friday 09:00 to 15:00 Hours | First and last Saturday of the month 09:00 to 11:00 Hours | | 1. | GDP Per Capita Income (Constant) | 534 US Dollars (2007) | | 2. | Currency | Kenya Shilling | | 3. | Exchange Rate | US $1 = KShs 67.3 ( 2007) | | 4. | Weights and Measures | Metric System | | 5. | Electricity | 220 - 240 volts - (mainly 3 pin/square plugs) | | 6. | Public Holidays | 1 st January - New Year | Good Friday and Easter Monday | | 1. | | 1 st May - Labour Day | | 2. | 1 st June - Madaraka Day | | 3. | 20 th October - Kenyatta Day | | 4. | 12 th December - Jamhuri Day | | 5. | 25 th December - Christmas Day | | 26 th December - Boxing Day | | Idd-ul-Ftr - End of Ramadhan. |
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