Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Garissa County
Geography of Garissa County
Garissa County is basically flat and low-lying without prominent hills, valleys and mountains. It rises from a low altitude of 20 ms to 400 ms. The major physical features are seasonal laghas and the Tana River Basin – on the western side. The River Tana has tremendous effect on the climate, its settlement patterns and on economic activities within the county. Given the arid nature of Garissa County, there is great potential for expansion of agriculture through harnessing of River Tana and the laghas. Aside from a few lush areas like Balambala, much of Garissa County has sandy soils that support only scattered shrubs and grasslands, and which are ideal for livestock production. Garissa County land is highly erodible.
Land Use in Garissa County
Pastoralism is the weighty economic enterprise of Garissa County. Much of the County’s livestock population are indigenous sheep, goats and cattle, found in the southern parts, which receives more rain; while camels are grazed in the dry north. During the dry season, there is a general migration of livestock from the hinterland to areas near River Tana, where water is readily available. However, some move with their livestock to adjacent counties of Tana River and to Lamu.
Highlights of Garissa County
Garissa County has a high potential for tourism development. This includes its wide range of wildlife such as Hirola, lions, giraffes and zebras. Furthermore its has a rich Somali traditional culture and a highly developed hospitality industry in Garissa Town. The proximity of Garissa County to the tourist coastal town of Lamu makes it ideal for linkage through a developed tourist circuit. This, coupled with the rich traditional culture of its Somali clans, would enormously boost its appeal.
Population of Garissa County
The average population density around Garissa County is 16 people/km2. Garissa town has the highest population density of 194 people/km2. Garissa County had a total population of round about 699,534 in 2012 (consisting of 375,985 males and 323,549 females). The population was projected to increase to 785,976 and to 849,457 persons in 2015 and 2017. Urban population in Garissa accounts for 16%. It has two major towns – Garissa and Masalani, and six unclassified urban centres – Balambala, Bura East, Dadaab, Modogashe, Nanighi and Hulugho.
Airports in Garissa County
There are eight airstrips across Garissa County, two at Garissa and one each at Lagdera, Hulugho, Fafi, Balambala, Dadaab and Ijara. Garissa Airport has regular flights from Nairobi. Its IATA code is GAS, while its ICAO code is HKGA.
Roads in Garissa County
Garissa has a total road network of 1,804.5 km, which comprises of 29.9 km of bitumen surface, 1,479 km of earth surface and 304 km of gravel surface.
Climate in Garissa County
Garissa County follows the bi-modal rainfall pattern (short and long rains). Rainfall is, in the general run of things, in short torrential downpour, making it unreliable for vegetation growth. Given the parched nature of the county, temperatures are generally high throughout the year and range from 20oC to 38oC. The average temperature is 36oC. The hottest months are between September and January.
National Monuments in Garissa County
There are no designated national monuments in Garissa County.
outlook
Touring Garissa County offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and opportunities to explore the traditional way of life in northeastern Kenya, unchanged since the days of yore. It’s a chance to experience authentic Somali culture and hospitality while enjoying the serene beauty of northeastern.
A Guide to Garissa County
A Summa Digest of Garissa
About Garissa Way Back When
18 Destinations in Garissa County, arranged as one would visit these - west, north, east then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
River Tana, Almond Resort, Suuq Mugdi Market, Jamia Mosque Garissa, Garissa Culture and Heritage Center, Garissa Giraffe Centre, Garissa Solar Power Plant, Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Merti Plains, River Ewaso Nyiro, Lorian Swamp, Dadaab Camp, Arawale National Reserve, Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, Lake Ishaqbini, Boni Forest National Reserve, Lag Badana Reserve
Know More About Garissa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Temperatures in Garissa County are generally high throughout the year, like clockwork, ranging from 20oC to a high of 38oC. The average temperature is 36oC. February is the hottest month of year.
The vast Garissa County is basically flat and low-lying without notable hills, valleys and mountains. It rises from a low altitude of 200 to 400 ms.