East Africa Countries

East Africa is a region situated on the eastern part of the African continent, encompassing 7 countries. The countries in East Africa include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and South Sudan.

Kenya

Country Overview:

Kenya is located in East Africa, covering an area of approximately 580,367 square kilometers. It is bordered by Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, and Somalia to the northeast. Kenya is famous for its abundant wildlife, including the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros), the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara, and its beautiful coastline along the Indian Ocean.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: December 12, 1963 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 54 million
  • Capital City: Nairobi
  • Language: Swahili, English
  • Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
  • Time Zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
  • Country Area Code: +254
  • Top-Level Domain: .ke
  • ISO Country Codes: KE, KEN

Tanzania

Country Overview:

Tanzania is situated in East Africa, with a total area of approximately 947,303 square kilometers. It shares borders with Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Zambia and Malawi to the south, and Mozambique to the southeast. Tanzania is famous for its diverse landscapes, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti National Park, and the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: December 9, 1961 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 60 million
  • Capital City: Dodoma (official), Dar es Salaam (largest city)
  • Language: Swahili, English
  • Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
  • Time Zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
  • Country Area Code: +255
  • Top-Level Domain: .tz
  • ISO Country Codes: TZ, TZA

Uganda

Country Overview:

Uganda is located in East Africa, covering an area of approximately 241,551 square kilometers. It is bordered by South Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Uganda is famous for its diverse wildlife, including mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the source of the Nile River, and the scenic landscapes of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: October 9, 1962 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 47 million
  • Capital City: Kampala
  • Language: English, Swahili
  • Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
  • Time Zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
  • Country Area Code: +256
  • Top-Level Domain: .ug
  • ISO Country Codes: UG, UGA

Rwanda

Country Overview:

Rwanda is situated in East Africa, covering an area of approximately 26,338 square kilometers. It is bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Rwanda is famous for its remarkable recovery from the 1994 genocide, its stunning mountainous landscapes, including Volcanoes National Park, and its conservation efforts to protect endangered mountain gorillas.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: July 1, 1962 (from Belgium)
  • Population: Approximately 13 million
  • Capital City: Kigali
  • Language: Kinyarwanda, French, English
  • Currency: Rwandan Franc (RWF)
  • Time Zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
  • Country Area Code: +250
  • Top-Level Domain: .rw
  • ISO Country Codes: RW, RWA

Burundi

Country Overview:

Burundi is located in East Africa, covering an area of approximately 27,834 square kilometers. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Burundi is famous for its scenic landscapes, including Lake Tanganyika, its diverse wildlife, and its cultural heritage, including traditional drumming rituals and dances.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: July 1, 1962 (from Belgium)
  • Population: Approximately 12 million
  • Capital City: Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (economic capital)
  • Language: Kirundi, French
  • Currency: Burundian Franc (BIF)
  • Time Zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
  • Country Area Code: +257
  • Top-Level Domain: .bi
  • ISO Country Codes: BI, BDI

Somalia

Country Overview:

Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, covering an area of approximately 637,657 square kilometers. It shares borders with Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, and Kenya to the southwest. Somalia is famous for its long coastline along the Indian Ocean, its nomadic culture, and its diverse wildlife, including elephants, lions, and leopards.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: July 1, 1960 (from Italy and the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 15 million
  • Capital City: Mogadishu
  • Language: Somali, Arabic
  • Currency: Somali Shilling (SOS)
  • Time Zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
  • Country Area Code: +252
  • Top-Level Domain: .so
  • ISO Country Codes: SO, SOM

South Sudan

Country Overview:

South Sudan is located in East Africa, covering an area of approximately 619,745 square kilometers. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and the Central African Republic to the west. South Sudan is known for its diverse cultures, vast savannahs, and the Nile River, which flows through the country.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: July 9, 2011 (from Sudan)
  • Population: Approximately 11 million
  • Capital City: Juba
  • Language: English
  • Currency: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
  • Time Zone: Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
  • Country Area Code: +211
  • Top-Level Domain: .ss
  • ISO Country Codes: SS, SSD