| Uganda
covers an area of about 241,038 sq. km.; of which about
44,000 sq. km. is covered by fresh water bodies made up
of swamps, forest reserves and game parks. Uganda is roughly
the same size as Great Britain or Ghana. It is bordered
by Kenya to the east, Sudan to the north, D.R.C. to the
west and by Tanzania and Rwanda to the south. |
Most
of the country is a plateau, standing at an
average of 1,200 M above sea level. The highest
point is on Mt. Rwenzori, at 5,590 M with
a permanent snow cover and Mt. Elgon at 4,300
M. The lowest on the other hand is 659 M at
Albert Nile.
River Nile is the world’s longest river
(6,700 km.) and it commences its journey from
Lake Victoria (in Jinja-Uganda) which in turn
is the world’s second largest fresh
water body ( 36,000 sq. miles ).
The country lies at the overlap between Tropical
East African Savannah, and West African rain
forest zone. Nearly 1/5 of the country is
made up of swamps and open water bodies, including
the lakes Victoria, George, Edward, Albert,
Kyoga , the Nile River and other smaller lakes.
The Equator crosses thru Uganda (view photo
in the photo gallery). THis fact greatly influences
the climatic conditions of the country.
The south is thickly forested while the north
is largely savannah, with some semi-desert
areas in the north-east.
Average annual temperature
is 26 degrees C. in South Western, and 35
degrees C. in the north and North East.
Average annual rainfall is
1,000 m.m. in most parts of the country and
2000 m.m. in the islands of Lake Victoria.
Most of Uganda is green all year round.
Languages: English is the
official language, but Swahili is also widely
used, especially among the business community,
police and the army. There are a number of
indigenous languages, which can be grouped
into three: the Bantu, the nilotics, and the
nilo-hermits
Religion: The majority of
Ugandans are Christians. Available statistics
show that Christians form 66% of the population,
people with their own indigenous beliefs form
about 18%, and there is a Muslim community
of about 16% of the population.
Capital City: Uganda’s
capital city is Kampala. It is a modern city
built on seven hills and befitting a country
with one of the fastest growing economies
in Africa. Over the past few years it has
expanded to cover ten hills, and continues
to grow both in size and charm. Entebbe International
Airport serves the country.
Food: There is a very wide
variety of food and eating-places all over
the country. At the city you will find all
sorts of restaurants that meet both local
and international interests. There are Italian,
Indian, Thai, Greek, European, and Chinese
restaurants. The markets provide a variety
of fresh foodstuffs.
Wildlife: Uganda’s
location along the Equator, combined with
the altitude and the great variety of terrain
types, provide an overwhelming array of opportunities
to keen birders and wild game viewers.
Uganda is one of the few countries in the
world where you can find the endangered mountain
gorillas in their natural habitat
as well as the rare shoebill.
The country is also home to other numerous
species of birds and mammals. |
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Source of the Nile at Jinja |
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Landscape
varies |
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The
rare Shoebill can be seen in Uganda
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Mountain
gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
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Uganda's Crested Cranes |
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Kamapla
City has developed over the years |
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