Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya.
Founded in 1899, the city was handed capital status from Mombasa in 1905.
It is also the capital of the Nairobi Province.
The city lies on the Nairobi River, in the south of the nation, and has an elevation of 1661m (5450ft) above sea-level.
Nairobi has the highest urban population in East Africa, estimated at between 3 and 4 million.
According to the 1999 Census, in the administrative area of Nairobi, 2,143,254 inhabitants lived within 684 kmē.
Since its foundation as a railway camp in 1899, Nairobi has grown to become the largest city in Kenya, and one of the largest cities in Africa.
Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially.
Home to many companies and organizations, Nairobi is established as a hub for business and culture.
The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) defines Nairobi as a prominent social centre.
Nairobi is not a prime tourist destination, but it does have several tourist attractions.
The most famous is the Nairobi National Park.
The national park is unique, in being the only game-reserve of this nature to border a capital city, or city of this size.
The park contains many animals including lions and giraffes.
The park is home to over 400 species of bird, which is more than the entire British Isles.
Nairobi is home to several museums.
The National Museum of Kenya is the largest in the city.
It houses a large collection of artefacts, including the full remains of a homo erectus boy.
The National Museum is currently closed for renovation and due to re-open on June 30, 2007.
Other prominent museums include the Nairobi Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Nairobi is nicknamed the Safari Capital of the World, and has many hotels to cater for safari-bound tourists.
Five star hotels in Nairobi include the Nairobi Serena, Grand Regency, Windsor, Karen, Holiday Inn, Safari Club, Stanley Hotel, Safari Park, Intercontinental, Hilton, and the Norfolk Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the city.
Panari Hotel is the newest five-star hotel in the city, and opened in 2006.
Nairobi is also home to the largest ice rink in Africa: the Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Sky Centre.
The rink, opened in 2005, covers 15,000 square feet and can accommodate 200 people.
Other attractions of note include Jomo Kenyatta's mausoleum, Kenya National Theatre and the Kenya National Archives.
Art galleries in Nairobi include the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramoma) and the Mzizi Arts Centre.
Founded in 1899, the city was handed capital status from Mombasa in 1905.
It is also the capital of the Nairobi Province.
The city lies on the Nairobi River, in the south of the nation, and has an elevation of 1661m (5450ft) above sea-level.
Nairobi has the highest urban population in East Africa, estimated at between 3 and 4 million.
According to the 1999 Census, in the administrative area of Nairobi, 2,143,254 inhabitants lived within 684 kmē.
Since its foundation as a railway camp in 1899, Nairobi has grown to become the largest city in Kenya, and one of the largest cities in Africa.
Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially.
Home to many companies and organizations, Nairobi is established as a hub for business and culture.
The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) defines Nairobi as a prominent social centre.
Nairobi is not a prime tourist destination, but it does have several tourist attractions.
The most famous is the Nairobi National Park.
The national park is unique, in being the only game-reserve of this nature to border a capital city, or city of this size.
The park contains many animals including lions and giraffes.
The park is home to over 400 species of bird, which is more than the entire British Isles.
Nairobi is home to several museums.
The National Museum of Kenya is the largest in the city.
It houses a large collection of artefacts, including the full remains of a homo erectus boy.
The National Museum is currently closed for renovation and due to re-open on June 30, 2007.
Other prominent museums include the Nairobi Railway Museum and the Karen Blixen Museum.
Nairobi is nicknamed the Safari Capital of the World, and has many hotels to cater for safari-bound tourists.
Five star hotels in Nairobi include the Nairobi Serena, Grand Regency, Windsor, Karen, Holiday Inn, Safari Club, Stanley Hotel, Safari Park, Intercontinental, Hilton, and the Norfolk Hotel, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the city.
Panari Hotel is the newest five-star hotel in the city, and opened in 2006.
Nairobi is also home to the largest ice rink in Africa: the Solar Ice Rink at the Panari Sky Centre.
The rink, opened in 2005, covers 15,000 square feet and can accommodate 200 people.
Other attractions of note include Jomo Kenyatta's mausoleum, Kenya National Theatre and the Kenya National Archives.
Art galleries in Nairobi include the Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art (Ramoma) and the Mzizi Arts Centre.
