Kenya Geography: Location, Area, Borders & Climate

Kenya is a country in East Africa, Africa, covering a total area of 580,367 km². It has a coastline of 536 km along the East Africa coast. Kenya shares land borders with 5 countries.

📐 Geographic Statistics

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Continent
Africa
geographical continent
📍
Region
East Africa
sub-region
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Total Area
580,367 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
96/km²
people per km²
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Coastline
536 km
total shore length
🕐
Timezone
UTC+3
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1963
year established
🌡️
Climate
Tropical coast, savanna inland, highland temperate
general type

Where is Kenya Located?

Kenya is situated in East Africa, within the broader continent of Africa. The country has a coastline of 536 km, providing access to maritime trade, fishing and coastal tourism. This geographic feature has been central to Kenya's historical development and economic activity. The capital, Nairobi, serves as the country's administrative and economic centre. Within the East Africa region, Kenya sits alongside countries including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi.

Size and Area of Kenya

Kenya covers a total area of 580,367 km², making it one of the smaller nations in the world. With a population of 55.9M across this territory, the population density works out at 96/km²: a moderate distribution of people across the country.

Climate of Kenya

The climate of Kenya is tropical coast, savanna inland, highland temperate. The most favourable time to visit is January–February, June–October, when conditions are most comfortable for travel and outdoor activities. Climate can vary considerably across different parts of the country; coastal areas, highlands and inland plains often experience quite different conditions. Travellers should research the specific region they plan to visit to plan appropriate clothing and activities.

🗺️ Countries Bordering Kenya

Kenya shares land borders with 5 countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan. This large number of shared borders reflects Kenya's central geographical position within East Africa.

Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Somalia
Somalia
Mogadishu
Tanzania
Tanzania
Dodoma
Uganda
Uganda
Kampala
South Sudan
South Sudan
Juba

Frequently Asked Questions about Kenya's Geography

Where is Kenya located?

Kenya is located in East Africa, Africa. The capital city is Nairobi.

How large is Kenya?

Kenya has a total area of 580,367 km² with a population density of 96/km².

What countries border Kenya?

Kenya shares land borders with 5 countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan.

Does Kenya have a coastline?

Yes, Kenya has a coastline of 536 km.

What is the climate of Kenya?

The climate of Kenya is Tropical coast, savanna inland, highland temperate. The best time to visit is January–February, June–October.

What timezone is Kenya in?

Kenya observes UTC+3 timezone.

What continent is Kenya in?

Kenya is in Africa, specifically in the East Africa region.

When did Kenya become independent?

Kenya gained independence in 1963.

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