Mombasa Island

Mombasa
Mombasa Island (Kenya)
Geography
Location Indian Ocean
Coordinates 4°3′S 39°40′E / 4.050°S 39.667°E / -4.050; 39.667
Length 5 km (3.1 mi)
Width 3 km (1.9 mi)
Country
Kenya
Largest settlement Mombasa
Demographics
Population 146334 (as of 1999)
Ants in amber, found on Mombasa Island, on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Mombasa Island is a 5 by 3 km (3.1 by 1.9 mi) coral outcrop located on Kenya's coast on the Indian Ocean, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The city of Mombasa is located on the island.

History

The old town of Mombasa is located at the eastern, seaward end of the island. Kilindini and Port Reitz, the modern deepwater harbour and port separates the island from the Kenyan mainland to the south. The old harbour, which is named Port Tudor and guarded by Fort Jesus, and Tudor Creek separate the island from the northern mainland. Modern residential sprawl and industrial areas now occupy the rest of the island.

Mombasa is linked to the mainland by the Makupa Causeway to the northwest, by the Nyali Bridge to the east and by the Likoni Ferry to the south. A road and rail bridge also serve the mainland container port near Port Reitz.

Port Tudor and Tudor Creek were named by Owen Tudor the Royal Navy captain who first surveyed the area.

Geography

Mombasa Island in one of the four divisions of Mombasa County. The division has a population of 146,334 (1999 census).[1] It is divided into six subdivisions:[2]

See also

References

Coordinates: 4°03′S 39°40′E / 4.050°S 39.667°E / -4.050; 39.667

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