Michaul+and+Desiree+Kenya+1B

// **Masai and Kikuyu: to the 19th century AD ** //
===//In the time before the arrival of outsiders and the beginning of recorded history, the Masai are the dominant tribe in the region now known as Kenya. They arrive as nomadic pastoralists from the north, probably in the mid-18th century. They are not Kenya's largest tribe (a distinction going to the Kikuyu, who live by agriculture), but the fierce reputation of the Masai warriors, engaging in frequent raids against their neighbours, gives them a power beyond their numbers. //=== ===//During the 19th century the region is penetrated by Arab traders in seach of ivory and by a couple of intrepid German missionaries. But Kenya's colonial future develops accidentally - as a result of events unfolding in Zanzibar in 1885. //=== ===//****A German-British carve up: AD 1885-1886** ** //=== ===//On August 7th 1885 five German warships steam into the lagoon of Zanzibar and train their guns on the sultan's palace. They have arrived with a demand from Bismarck that Sultan Barghash cede to the German emperor his mainland territories or face the consequences. //=== ===//But in the age of the telegram, gunboat diplomacy is no longer a local matter. This crisis is immediately on desks in London. Britain, eager not to offend Germany, suggests a compromise. The two nations should mutually agree spheres of interest over the territory stretching inland to the Great Lakes. This plan is accepted before August is out. //===

// **Economy[[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/48712135_3427fe8201_m.jpg align="right" caption="sunset"]] ** //
===// **Subsistence agriculture and the barter of goods formed the foundation of the Kenyan economy in the early days of independence. Agricultural exports, mainly tea and coffee, brought in substantial income from foreign exchange. With democracy newly established, the Kenyan government began to promote a mixed economy composed of both privately-owned and state-run businesses. These attempts to diversify the economy meant increased stability, employment, and overall economic growth during the first ten years of independence. The oil crisis in the mid-70s coupled with periodic droughts and an increasing population have combined to threaten Kenya's economic health. Today the economy is greatly influenced by the development of "parastatals" or enterprises that the government either fully or partly owns. A substantial amount of foreign investment further supplements economic growth. Despite these steps forward, poverty and unemployment persist and the balance of trade remains unbalanced. The ever-increasing population rate further exacerbates Kenya's economic challenges. ** //=== ===//Money Matters //=== ===// **CURRENCY: ** The currency unit in Kenya is the shilling (KES), comprising 100 cents. Coins are in denominations of 5c, 10c, 50c and 1 and 5 shillings. Bank notes are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings. Importation of foreign currency is unlimited and does not have to be declared on arrival. The importation and exportation of Kenyan currency, however, is illegal. //=== ===//In preparation for your journey, you may want to calculate the exchange rate from the US dollar to local currencies. There are several websites that offer a conversion engine. You can also check the Wall Street Journal for currency rate information. //===

//Size of Kenya//
===//Situated on the eastern coast of Africa, Kenya lies astride the equator. Its total area, including 11,230 sq km (4,336 sq mi) of water, is 582,650 sq km (224,962 sq mi), with a maximum length of 1,131 km (703 mi) SSE – NNW and a maximum width of 1,025 km (637 mi) ENE – WSW. Comparatively, the area occupied by Kenya is slightly more than twice the size of the state of Nevada. Kenya is bounded on the N by Sudan and Ethiopia, on the E by Somalia, on the SE by the Indian Ocean, on the S by Tanzania, and on the W by Lake Victoria and Uganda, with a total land boundary length of 3,477 km (2,161 mi) and a coastline of 536 km (333 mi).// //Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, is located in the southcentral part of the country// // KENYA // === ===﻿//Kenya you would think it is a place of sadness but its not all that bad ok there are some spots that are sad like the people who have no food and water but its a wonderful place it has beaches, and intresting animals. Also there are// Gorgeous sun sets that you have never seen before. === === ===