Kenya » Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, lying on the Nairobi River in the south of the nation. Nairobi has the highest urban population in East Africa, with an estimated population of between 3 and 4 million (according to the 1999 Census, in the administrative area of Nairobi lived 2,143,254 inhabitants within 684 Km²). Since its foundation as a railway camp in 1899, Nairobi has grown to become the largest city in Kenya, and one of the largest cities in Africa.

Nairobi is situated between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa. It is close to the Rift Valley. The Ngong hills are towards the west, Mount Kenya is towards the North and Mount Kilimanjaro is towards the south-east. As Nairobi is adjacent to the Rift Valley, minor earthquakes and tremors occasionally occur. The Nairobi River and its tributaries traverse through the Nairobi Province. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai has fought fiercely to save the indigenous Karura Forest in northern Nairobi which is under threat of being replaced by housing other infrastructure. Parks in the city include Uhuru Park, Central Park and Nairobi Arboretum.

The city centres on City Square, around which lie the Kenyan Parliament buildings, the Holy Family Cathedral, Nairobi City Hall, Jomo Kenyatta's mausoleum and the most upmarket shops. It also has the Kenya National Theatre, Kenya National Archives, Mzizi Arts Centre and Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Other attractions include the Ramoma Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art, All Saints Cathedral and several markets.