Mombasa is the largest port on the coast of East Africa and also the second largest town in Kenya. Mombasa has a population of 939370, as per the 2009 census of which about 70% are African, the rest being mainly Asian with a small minority of Europeans.
Mombasa docks not only ‘serve Kenya, but also Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Zaire. The bulk of the town sprawls over Mombasa Island which is connected to the mainland by an artificial causeway which carries the rail and road a links.
In recent years Mombasa has spread onto the mainland both north and south of the island.
Mombasa has retained its low-level traditional character and there are few high·rise buildings except in the very centre of the city. The Old Town between the massive, Portuguese-built Fort Jesus and the old dhow careening dock remains much the same as it was in the 2 mid-19th century.
Mombasa is a hot and steamy town, as you might expect being so close to the equator, but an interesting place to visit.