Kenya covers a total area of 580,367 km² (224,081 sq mi), making it the 48th largest country in the world — roughly the same size as France or the U.S. state of Texas. This East African nation straddles the equator on the Indian Ocean coast, packing remarkable geographic variety into its borders, from glacier-capped peaks to arid northern deserts and tropical beaches.
Kenya's Size in Numbers
Kenya's 580,367 km² accounts for about 0.39% of the Earth's total land area of roughly 148.94 million km². Of that total, the vast majority is land, with inland waters — including a large share of Lake Victoria and the whole of Lake Turkana — making up the remainder.
- Total area: 580,367 km² (224,081 sq mi)
- World rank: 48th largest country
- Continent: Africa (East Africa)
- Capital: Nairobi
- Coastline: 536 km along the Indian Ocean
- Highest point: Mount Kenya, 5,199 m (17,057 ft)
From north to south, Kenya stretches about 1,000 km, and roughly 900 km from east to west. That makes it large enough to span several distinct climate zones in a single country.
How Kenya Compares to Other Countries
Size comparisons make 580,367 km² easier to picture. Kenya is about 91% the area of France (640,679 km²), so the two are near-twins on the map. It is also remarkably close to Texas (about 695,000 km²), at roughly four-fifths the size.
Against Japan (377,975 km²), Kenya is considerably larger — about 154% of Japan's area. Compared with the United Kingdom (about 243,000 km²), Kenya is well over twice the size. Within Africa, Kenya is mid-sized: far smaller than giants like Algeria, Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but bigger than neighbours such as Uganda and notably larger than tiny Rwanda or Burundi.
A Landscape of Extremes
What makes Kenya's size so striking is how much variety fits inside it. The Great Rift Valley slices through the country from north to south, creating dramatic escarpments and a chain of alkaline lakes — including Lake Nakuru, famous for hosting flocks of flamingos that can number in the hundreds of thousands.
The central highlands around Nairobi (which sits at about 1,700 m elevation) enjoy a temperate, spring-like climate year-round, with average temperatures near 17°C. Rise higher and you reach Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak after Kilimanjaro, whose summit carries glacial ice even though the mountain sits almost directly on the equator.
To the north and northeast, the land flattens into hot, semi-arid scrub and desert, home to Lake Turkana — the world's largest permanent desert lake. To the west lies fertile farmland and the Kenyan shore of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake. And along the eastern edge run the warm, tropical beaches of the Indian Ocean coast around Mombasa and Malindi.
Protected Land and Famous Regions
A meaningful slice of Kenya's territory — roughly 8% — is set aside as national parks and reserves. The most celebrated is the Masai Mara, the northern extension of Tanzania's Serengeti ecosystem and the stage for the annual Great Migration, when enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the plains.
Other major protected areas include Tsavo (one of the largest parks in the world), Amboseli with its views of Kilimanjaro across the border, and Lake Nakuru National Park. The highlands also fuel Kenya's economy: their rich volcanic soils and elevation produce some of the world's finest coffee and tea. For more on the country's regions, climate, and travel, see our kenya country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kenya bigger than France?
No, but they are close. Kenya covers 580,367 km² while France is about 640,679 km², so Kenya is roughly 91% the size of France — close enough that the two are often used as a quick size comparison.
What is the largest country in Africa compared to Kenya?
Algeria is Africa's largest country at about 2.38 million km², which is roughly four times the size of Kenya. Kenya ranks among Africa's mid-sized nations rather than its biggest.
How long is Kenya's coastline?
Kenya has about 536 km of coastline along the Indian Ocean, lined with coral reefs, mangroves, and white-sand beaches near cities such as Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu.
What is the highest point in Kenya?
Mount Kenya is the country's highest point at 5,199 m (17,057 ft). It is the second-tallest mountain in Africa and, despite sitting near the equator, keeps glaciers near its summit year-round.