East Africa

List of Countries

• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Rwanda
• Burundi
• Djibouti
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Somalia

Major Religions

• Christianity
• Islam (coastal areas)

Major Languages

• Swahili (lingua franca)

East African Sub-Region at a Glance

East Africa is defined by a varied physical geography of mountains, grasslands and what is known as the "Great Rift Valley", which has been formed by tectonic forces that are forcing plates away from each other.

The Rift Valley has been called a cradle of humanity as along with one of the largest documented human histories of any region in the world, many ancient hominid skulls and animal fossils have been unearthed here.

Running counter to the generally bleak economics of the region, there are signs of economic upswing in East Africa, including recent success stories in Kenya, Tanzania and even Rwanda; But there still exists a dark underbelly of government corruption and armed conflicts in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Featured East African Adventure

Climbing Kilimanjaro: A Journey to the Roof of Africa
by Bill Lorand