Nairobi

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Capital and chief commercial and industrial centre of Kenya, in the central highlands at 1,660 m/5,450 ft; population (2002 est) 3,043,100 (urban area). Industries include engineering, paints, brewing, textiles, clothing, and food processing. It is the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and has the UN Centre for Human Settlements. It is one of Africa's largest and fastest-growing cities.

History
Nairobi was founded in 1899, when the British set up a tented railway camp near a watering hole between Kikuyu and Masai territory, near the midway point between Mombasa and Lake Victoria and where a major ascent from the plateau to the highlands begins. Its location at the gateway to the highlands encouraged trade and gave it access to the whole East African market. It grew rapidly into a small town, and by 1907 became capital of British East Africa.

The pan-African colours express African unity. Effective date: 1 August 1990. >>