About Tharaka Nithi
Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Tharaka Nithi
Geography of Tharaka Nithi County
The highest altitude within Tharaka Nithi County is about 5,200 ms at Chuka Igambang’ombe and Maara, while the lowest is 600 ms at Tharaka. The main physical feature in Tharaka Nithi is, of course, the 360 km2 of Mount Kenya Forest which is shared by Maara and Chuka. This forest serves as both a tourist attraction and as a catchments area for Tana River. Prominent hills in the county include Kierra, Munuguni and Njuguni, Kijegge and Ntugi. Tharaka Nithi County is strikingly different from other parts of Kenya in having large masses of hillocks.
Land Use in Tharaka Nithi County
Tharaka Nithi County has two major ecological zones. The highland comprised of Maara and Chuka – which receive adequate rainfall for agriculture – and the semi-arid (lower zone) covering Tharaka. The salient land use in Tharaka Nithi County is farming. Other land uses include cultural and forestry conservation. Majority of the residents are small scale farmers with an average of 3 hectares used for food and cash crop farming. Large scale farmers own an average of 6.7 hectares. Cash crops include tea and coffee grown mainly in Maara and Chuka.
Highlights in Tharaka Nithi County
Tharaka Nithi’s main attractions are its expansive landscape, cultural sites and Tana River Basin. The main landforms in Tharaka Nithi County are mountains, hills and foot ridges. Mount Kenya is the main mountain. The topography of the County is greatly influenced by Mount Kenya creating a V-shaped valleys within which main tributaries of River Tana originating from Mount Kenya forest flow. The county borders Meru National Park that offers high potential for tourism activities, yet, little tourist activities take place in these adjacent areas. A small portion of Mwingi National Reserve also sits in the southeast corner of the area.
Population in Tharaka Nithi County
Tharaka Nithi County had a total population of 365,330 based on the 2009 population and housing census. This was projected to rise to 399,735 in 2012 and 478,570 by 2017 – equating to an annual population growth rate is 1.8%. Chuka Town, in Meru South S.C., is the largest urban centre with a projected population of 45,882 residents in 2012, while Chogoria Town in Maara had a projected population of 33,378 in 2012. Marimanti is the only urban centre in Tharaka Sub-county with a projected population of 9,009 in 2012, expected to increase to 9,857 by 2017. The average population density is 150 people / km2.
Airports in Tharaka Nithi County
Tharaka Nithi County currently has no airports or airstrips.
Roads in Tharaka Nithi County
Tharaka Nithi County has a total road network of 1670 kms. Of these, only 61 kms are under bitumen road. These include the B6 Embu-Meru Road and the Kathegeri-Chuka-Chogoria-Keria Road, the C92 Ishiara-Kathwana-Chiakariga-Marimanti Road and the Chogoria-Maara Road. Other roads are earth surface.
Climate in Tharaka Nithi County
Temperatures in the highland areas range between 14 C to 30 C, while those in the lowland area range between 22 C to 36 C. Tharaka Constituency, which lies in the lower region, experiencess temperatures of up to 40 C. It has a bi-modal rainfall pattern, with the long rains in April to June and short rains in October.
National Monuments in Tharaka Nithi
There are no designated national monuments in Tharaka Nithi County.
Although Tharaka Nithi County is not a prominent touring circuit, it is a beautiful, diverse area known for its stunning landscapes, cultural heritage, and agricultural economy. Taking after the character of its closely homogenous neighbours around Mount Kenya, Tharaka Nithi, with very good roads, is easy to access and traverse.
You Are Here: Tharaka Nithi County
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations in Tharaka Nithi County
A Guide to Tharaka Nithi County
A Summa Digest of Tharaka Nithi
About Tharaka Nithi Way Back When
35 Destinations in Tharaka Nithi County , arranged as one would visit these - south to northeast - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Chuka Forest , Tredds Garden , The Hidden Falls , Hidden Treasure Lodge , Nithi Bridge , Weru Tea Factory , Whispers Garden, Pacha Waterfront Resort , PCEA Chogoria , Mount Kenya National Park , Anabas Alpine Lodge , Chogoria Trail , Nithi Falls , Lake Michaelson , Vivienne Falls , Kierra Ridge , Kierra Viewpoint , Thimbora, Mutunguruni Tree , Inanduru Caves , Kijegge Range , Kibuuka Grand Falls , River Tana, Mumoni Hill Reserve , Mwingi National Reserve , Kajuki Eco Lodge , Marimanti Baobab Lodge , Ikwa Falls , Mutejwa National Reserve , Meru National Park , Elsa's Grave , Ura Gate Festival , Ura Waterfalls
Know More About Tharaka Nithi: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like in T. Nithi.?
Temperatures in the highland areas range between 14 o C to 30 o C, while those in the low land range between 22 o C to 36 o C. Rain vary with altitude.
What’s The Lay Of The Land in C.13?
The highest altitude within Tharaka Nithi County is about 5,200 ms at Chuka, Maara, and Igambang’ombe, and the lowest is 600 ms at Tharaka. The entire county is strewn with large masses of hillocks.
Reply