Source: DD News
Subject: Mapping
Context: India and Kenya recently concluded the 10th Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Nairobi, where they reported a significant 24.91% rise in bilateral trade, reaching $4.31 billion in 2025-26.
About Kenya:
What it is?
- A unitary multiparty republic in East Africa with a rich tradition of oral literature and a rapidly modernizing economy driven by tourism and agriculture. Kenya is a pivotal East African nation known for its diverse geography, vibrant culture, and strategic role as a gateway for trade into the African continent.
Location: It is situated in East Africa, bisected horizontally by the Equator and vertically by longitude 38° E.
Capital: Nairobi.
Border Nations: Kenya is bordered by South Sudan and Ethiopia to the north, Somalia and the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the south, and Lake Victoria and Uganda to the west.
Key Features:
- The Great Rift Valley: A massive geological trench that splits the highland region into the Mau Escarpment (west) and the Aberdare Range (east). It contains a chain of shallow lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Turkana.
- Mountains: Home to Mount Kenya, the country’s highest peak at 17,058 feet (5,199 meters), and Mount Elgon on the Ugandan border.
- Lake Victoria Basin: Located in the west, this plateau region contains Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and a major reservoir for the Nile River.
- Coastal Plain: A narrow strip along the Indian Ocean featuring coral-backed shores and excellent natural harbors, such as Mombasa.
- Highlands: The cool, fertile populous highlands are famed for tea plantations and diverse animal species.
- Arid Regions: The north and central-south regions feature semiarid and desert landscapes, such as the Chalbi Desert.
- Drainage: Major rivers like the Tana and Galana flow toward the Indian Ocean, while western streams drain into Lake Victoria.
Significance of Kenya:
- Historically, its Indian Ocean coast has served as a vital entry point for Arabian and Asian traders to reach the African interior.
- Kenya is globally renowned for its vast wildlife preserves, harboring Big Five animals like lions, elephants, and rhinoceroses, making tourism a cornerstone of the economy.
