Africa

Nairobi: The Capital of Kenya

Capital of Kenya

The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi. It is the largest city and capital of Kenya; it is also capital of the province and district of the same name. The city was founded in 1899 and is located in the south of the country on the banks of the Nairobi River, specifically between the coordinates: 1 ° 16’S 36 ° 48’E? At 1661 meters above sea level, covering an area of ​​684 Km².

The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi city is the largest in East Africa and the fourth largest in all of Africa and despite being the youngest city in the region is one of the most influential and important throughout the continent and home to numerous companies and organizations.  Nairobi: The Capital of Kenya

The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi the name Nairobi comes from a nearby river related to which the Masai phrase Enkare Nyorobi arose, meaning “the place of fresh waters.” However, it is popularly known as the “Green City in the Sun”.

Interesting facts about Nairobi

History

The capital city of Kenya is Nairobi. Today, the new city of Nairobi was founded in 1899 by the British in a marshy but very strategic place at the foot of the first ridges of the Great Rift Valley, through which the railway would link the strategic port of Mombasa in The Indian Ocean with Kampala, on Lake Victoria. There was established the center of operations for the construction of this railway and over the years, the town grew until it became a small city.

In 1905 the city received the capital status of the [British Protectorate of East Africa], replacing the city of Mombasa. By this date the Indian immigrants created a bazaar, that later became the main agricultural market of the zone. In 1954 due to its rapid growth Nairobi reaches the rank of city.

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At the end of World War II, a pro-independence movement called Mau Mau emerged and developed in Kenya, which had so much power and popular support that it organized a rebellion against British rule, which was why he was taken prisoner without evidence in his Against the leader Jomo Kenyatta; But the pressure exerted by the local population grew so much that it did not culminate until independence of Kenya in 1963, and Nairobi was chosen capital of the new republic.

Geography

The city is located in the south of the country on the banks of the Nairobi River, specifically between the coordinates: 1 ° 16’S 36 ° 48’E, and 1661 meters above sea level, covering an area of ​​684 km². Between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa.

Nairobi: The Capital of Kenya

Nairobi, being close to the Great Rift Valley, is occasionally shaken by small earthquakes and earthquakes. To the west of the city are located the Ngong Hills, which constitute Nairobi’s most representative geographical accident.

On clear days are visible from Nairobi Mount Kenya which is located north of the city and Mount Kilimanjaro in the southeast.

Weather

Despite being in the equatorial belt, the altitude of Nairobi and its geographic location favors the climate, moderating its temperatures, giving it mild summers and cold afternoons, especially in the winter months of June and July, when the temperature Is maintained around 10 ° C. In the summer season and especially between the months of December and March which are the hottest, the maximum temperature recorded does not exceed 24 ° C and on average oscillate around 20 ° C.

Precipitation

When Nairobi is near Ecuador, the differences between the seasons of the year are minimal. A rainy season and a dry season were clearly defined. The rainy season presents two periods of moderate rains and it covers from October to May with predominance of precipitations in the months of April May, November and December. July and August are the months that rain less coinciding with the winter season.

Population

Nairobi has experienced one of the highest population growth rates in all of Africa being in fact the most populated city in East Africa and the fourth largest in the entire continent despite being the youngest city in the region. Nairobi has an estimated urban population of between 3 and 4 million inhabitants and according to the 2010 Census, in the administrative area of ​​Nairobi, there were 3,138,369 inhabitants within 684 km².

The Nairobi growth rate is currently 6.9%; it is estimated that the Nairobi population will reach 5 million by 2015.

Districts

There is a great diversity of living standards in Nairobi, which has greatly influenced their distribution and the predominant type of construction in their districts according to the prevailing social class, it can be said that most Kenyans considered as rich live In Nairobi but the vast majority of the inhabitants of Nairobi are poor. Half of the population lives in slums that have poorly planned urban planning and cover only 5% of the city’s area; these neighborhoods grow without adequate planning as a result of low salaries perceived by residents. Among these neighborhoods stands Kibera located to the west of Nairobi and considered as one of the largest slums in Africa. Another large group of society lives in relatively good housing conditions. To the west of Nairobi you can find large houses in many neighborhoods of greater purchasing power. Middle and high income neighborhoods include Parklands, Westlands, Hurling ham, Milimani and Nairobi Hill. British immigrants have historically settled in the Langata and Karen neighborhoods.

Culture

Since its founding, Nairobi has maintained a marked British influence, with a legendary heritage of colonial rule very easy to perceive in the daily life, in part of its traditions, in the large number of neighborhoods with English writing, as reflected in the neighborhoods Hurlingham and Parklands among others. Throughout the years in the city also have been established infinity of immigrants from diverse parts of the world, bringing with them their cultures, customs and traditions which have been inserted in the popular culture of Nairobi, between the majors arrivals of foreigners to the Country are those that came from other British colonies of the time, Mainly from India and Pakistan, who arrived in the middle of the 20th century to work on the construction of the Kampala railroad to Mombasa. At the end of the construction they ended up in Nairobi. Various communities from neighboring countries such as Somalia and Sudan were then established for various reasons , making Nairobi a very cosmopolitan and multicultural city where churches, mosques, temples and gurdwaras are mixed. Nairobi hosts numerous cultural centers of great importance, Among which we can find several museums such as the National Museum of Kenya which is the largest in the city and has a large collection of prehistoric utensils, including the complete remains of a homo erectus, the important Nairobi Railway Museum, where Reflects the history of the railroad along with the emergence and expansion of the city, the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramoma). Another significant site is the home of Karen Blixen, author of Africa mine, transformed into a museum with a colonial aesthetic of the beginning of the last century. Where the history of the railroad is reflected along with the emergence and expansion of the city, the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramoma). Another significant site is the home of Karen Blixen, author of Africa mine , transformed into a museum with a colonial aesthetic of the beginning of the last century. Where the history of the railroad is reflected along with the emergence and expansion of the city, the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramona). Another significant site is the home of Karen Blixen, author of Africa mine , transformed into a museum with a colonial aesthetic of the beginning of the last century.

Other sites of great attraction are the mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta, the National Theater of Kenya, the National Archives of Kenya and the art galleries in Nairobi.

Nairobi: The Capital of Kenya

 

Major sites of worship include Sagrada Familia Cathedral, All Saints Cathedral, Ismaili Jamat Khana Mosque and Jamia Mosque

tourism

Nairobi is a city with a certain development in relation to the tourist attractions although it is not the main tourist destination of the country. The site of major interest is the Nairobi National Park considered the most famous in the city; it contains a wide variety of animals including more than 400 species of birds. The city also has Uhuru Park, a recreational court park close to the business district of Nairobi.

Due to the extensive development in the world of safari, Nairobi is dubbed “safari capital of the world” and has countless hotels designed to cater to tourists attracted by this type of tourism.

Education

The city counts on infinity of educational centers where all the levels of education including the university are given. Among the top studios in the city are prestigious universities such as the University of Nairobi, which was founded in 1956 as part of the University of East Africa and is the oldest in Kenya. An independent university, another major university is Kenyatta established in 1985 after a long struggle for the state, which began in 1963.

Among other centers of high studies located in the capital of Kenya find:

Strathmore University. Founded in 1961, but at that time with another profile or level of education.

International University of the United States. Established in 1969.

Daystar University. Liberal Christian University.

Nazarene University of Africa. Christian private university sponsored by the International Nazarene Church.

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