Nairobi city (state capital), description - - Pictures
The city of Nairobi covers an area of about 680 sq km (about 260 sq mi) at an average altitude of 1675 m (5495 ft) above sea level. The city center—and the area around it to the east and south—is a relatively flat plain, while the area to the west and north is hilly. Nairobi has many varied neighborhoods and suburbs, some bearing European names and others African names. The important commercial and administrative areas are located in the city center, which is ringed by residential areas. The main industrial area is located to the south, beyond which is Nairobi National Park, a wildlife preserve and major tourist attraction. A large market is located near the city center, and smaller open-air markets fill many of the city's open spaces. Surrounding the large, central City Square are Nairobi's city hall; Kenya's parliament building; the Kenyatta Conference Center; the law courts; and the mausoleum of Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's founding father.
Nairobi's residential areas still reflect the city's colonial past, when residence was determined largely by race and income. Racial barriers disappeared after Kenya became independent from Britain in 1963, but the city's residential pattern continues to be determined by income. In general, Nairobi's wealthier residents live in neighborhoods to the west of the city center, while the least wealthy residents live in the east. In addition, temporary shantytowns have grown up adjacent to some of the residential areas, most notably in the Mathari Valley, east and north of the city center. Like many cities in developing countries, approximately 80 percent of Nairobi's residential land houses less than 20 percent of its population.
