An Explanation of Kenya's Population Distribution

        People live in area 2 (south Kenya) because the water supply is better. Tourism is also important – the country’s only coastline is here and is a commercial port which takes part in lots of trade and creates lots of jobs. Because of the jobs, people live around this area which is why the land around Mombasa is one of the most highly populated places in Kenya. Fishing can also take place at Mombasa, and thus people live in this area. It is not too crowded either. The fishing aspect of Mombasa attracts people from all over the country.

        Central Western Kenya and by Mombasa is the most densely populated area because of many reasons. The ground is higher up, so it is cooler even though the equator runs through the area. The big mountains and the Rift Valley help reduce the high temperatures.

Of the 30 million people who live in Kenya, 2 thirds of those live in this area. There is more rainfall in this area, which means there is a more reliable water supply. The weather is ideal for commercial farming – the temperature is just right and with 30-35 inches of rain every year, tea, coffee and tobacco are grown in the hills. People who wish to fish from Lake Victoria live in this area. Because this is the country’s most important city, there are therefore lots of job opportunities so people come to the city from all over Kenya in search of jobs. Tourism brings a lot of people here and also creates jobs, the Masai also live in the area and because of the good transport and communication facilities people choose to live there. The railway built by the British from Mombasa to Nairobi links the two biggest cities in Kenya together, providing easy transport between the two cities. The beaches at Mombasa attract tourists from all over the world which creates lots of jobs.