FACTS

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Area (only Total) total: 582,650 sq km

Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Population: 37,953,838

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Nairobi

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+3

Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)