Kenya was first populated by the Kikuyu, Kamba, Luo and Masai. It wasn't until the 19th century that outsiders entered the interior of the country and as a result Kenya escaped the worst of the Arab slavers. The coast however helped to form an important part of a chain of Omani Arab trading posts that dealt mainly in ivory and slaves and were under the control of the Sultan of Zanzibar.... British and German personnel obtained trading concessions along the coast. Britain was allotted what is now Uganda and Kenya; Germany was allotted what is now mainland Tanzania. In 1893 Uganda became a British protectorate closely followed by Kenya - 1895. The British were interested in controlling the rich resources of Uganda and to facilitate this they built a railway between Mombasa and Kampala using labourers from India, many of whom remained and have become todays merchant class. ..Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west - highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m - Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%, other 15% - Religions: Protestant (including Anglican) 38%, Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, other 8% - Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), Kalenjin spoken in Nandi, Kericho and Uasin Gishu districts, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. - Capital: Nairobi

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western