Kenya lies across the equator in east-central Africa, on the coast of the Indian Ocean. It is twice the size of Nevada. Kenya borders Somalia to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest. In the north, the land is arid; the southwest corner is in the fertile Lake Victoria Basin; and a length of the eastern depression of the Great Rift Valley separates western highlands from those that rise from the lowland coastal strip.
Kenya Located in East Africa, the Republic of Kenya is bordered on the north by Sudan and Ethiopia, on the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean, on the south by Tanzania, and on the west by Lake Victoria and Uganda. The largest city is the capital, Nairobi, with Nakuru, Mombasa, and Kisumu as other major cities. It has an area 580,370 kmē (224,082 milesē) and falls into several well-defined topographical zones extending from the Indian Ocean coast up to lofty mountain ranges that reach elevations of more than 3,048 metres (more than 10,000 feet). The Equator divides Kenya into two almost equal parts. The region north of the Equator is hot and receives comparatively little rain, while the southern region falls into three meteorological zones: the coast is humid, the highlands are relatively temperate, and the Lake Victoria region is tropical. The rainy seasons occur from October to December and April to June, although the weather phenomenon El Niņo recently complicated this pattern.
Kenya became self-governing on 1st June 1963 - celebrated as Madaraka ("Self-Rule") Day - and finally gained independence from the British on 12th December 1963, still celebrated as Jamhuri Day. The first president was Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, a leader in the fight for independence, who died in 1976 and was succeeded by Daniel arap Moi. Bills have now been passed to ensure the legalisation of opposition parties, regular elections and a maximum of two terms as President.
Despite substantial improvements in the last decade, only about half of all pupils complete primary education and only half of those go on to secondary school, but literacy is relatively high at a rate of 78% (women 70%, men 86%). All students pay fees, but state schools receive some government assistance (such as paid teachers) and perhaps some from an affiliated Church. Harambee (self-help) schools are common in rural areas, drawing on the talents of members of the community to offer hands-on agricultural training, academic education, and instruction in practical subjects such as health and various occupational skills. Complete education to university level is available to competent students and to those who are able to pay tuition, while teacher-training colleges are free, but teachers are required to work for the government for at least three years after graduation.
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