Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Meru County
Geography of Meru County
Meru County’s position on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and the equator has highly influenced its natural conditions and economic prospects. Altitude ranges from 300m to 5,199m asl. This has influenced the atmospheric conditions leading to a unique variation of micro climates and agro-ecological zones. The drainage pattern in marked by rivers and streams originating from catchment areas such as Mt. Kenya and Nyambene Range. These cut through the hilly terrain on the upper zones to the lower zones and drains into the Tana and Uwaso Nyiro Rivers. The rivers form the principal source of water for both domestic and agricultural use.
Land Use in Meru County
The major land use in Meru County is mainly for agricultural activities for both crops farming and livestock-keeping. Other uses include cultural and forestry conservation. There are large scale farming carried out by private companies in Timau. These are mainly for wheat farming with Kisima being the largest in the county. Livestock farming is also done on group ranches in Tigania and Igembe. These existing resources are not likely to be able to sustain Meru’s tremendous growth rate of population. As such, there is a likelihood that the land will not be able to provide employment for growing population. The people are likely to be pushed out of the fragile agricultural economy that’s no longer expandable. The population increase will inevitably lead to increasing fragmentation of the land.
Highlights in Meru County
Tourism industry is fairly developed in Meru County, with Meru National Park being the major tourist site. Lewa conservancy, that’s privately owned, attracts tourists and competitive sports like cross country, rhino charge and marathon. The county also has Mt. Kenya which is a major tourist destination. The diverse cultures and heritage among the Ameru community are another form of tourist attraction such as conservation of traditional worship places by Nchuri-Ncheke.
Population in Meru County
The population density in Meru County is more or less fairly distributed among the nine constituencies with the average density in the county being about 282 people / km2 in 2012. Population density ranges from a low of 134 in Buuri constituency to a high of 544 in Igembe South ergo Meru County has a population growth rate of circa 2.1 per cent. The 2012 projected population of the county stood at 1,443,555; which was projected to be 1,536,422 in 2015 and 1,601,629 in 2017. The growth in its population will strain the available resources such as land. Major urban centres in Meru County are Meru, Maua, Nkubu, igoji and Muthara. The projected 2012 urban population stood at 118,711 which was about 8.5% of the total population.
Airports in Meru County
Meru County is served by one airstrip; Gaitu airstrip in Meru Central which has been updated to serve more flights. Isiolo Airport lies 53 kms from Meru Town.
Roads in Meru County
Meru County is well served with a fairly good road network with many areas being accessible during all season. The county has 1,259.9 kms of road network of which 225.7 kms is bitumen, 266.7 km gravel, and 767.1 kms of earth surface.
Climate in Meru County
The topography of Meru County has a critical influence on its climate. The high land masses lessen the effect of high temperatures and rate of evaporation and cause them to loose a greater amount of moisture than its low-lying areas. The south and south east slopes of Mt. Kenya receive more rainfall (between 1250 and 2250 mm. annually) than the eastern and northern lowland that receive moderate amount of rain and far more than the lower parts of Buuri bordering Isiolo County.
The drier northern and eastern areas receive less than 500 millimetres of rainfall a year. Temperatures range from a low of 8 Degrees to a high of 32 Degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively. The climate ranges from temperate with a 20 C mean temperature in the higher altitude areas around Mt. Kenya to tropical with an annual mean temperature of 33°C in the low dry areas around Tharaka, Mikinduri, Kianjai, Charia, Meru National Park and the northern areas.
National Monuments in Meru
- Lake Thai
- Bututia Sacred Lake
- Giitune Sacred Forest
Famous for its wildlife, rich agricultural lands, and stunning natural attractions, Meru County, on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, is the immemorial enclave of the Ameru nation. Inhabited mainly by the sub-tribes of Imenti, Tigania, Igembe, and Tharaka, Meru County has one of the best developed touring circuits.
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Explore Destinations in Meru County
A Guide to Meru County
A Summa Digest of Meru
About Meru Way Back When
65 Destinations in Meru County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then west - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kierra Valley, Kierra Ridge, St. Mary’s High School, Anabas Resort Trout and Seafood Grill, Tharuu Springs, Giitune Sacred Forest, M.Mpuri Cultural Centre, Meru Museum, St. Joseph's Cathedral, Meru Sports Club, Alba Hotel, Kathita Falls, Irine (Devil's Bridge) Falls, Cool Stream Garden, Thiiri Cultural Centre, Kaaga Methodist Church, Kaaga War Memorial, Kiathandi Hill, Mpogoro Forest, Stone Woman Kieiga Forest, Njuri Ncheke Headquarters at Nchiru, Ngaya Forest, Meru National Park, Twin Baobab Tree, Elsa’s Kopje, Ikweta Safari Camp, Adamson Falls Bridge, Rhino River Camp, Giant Meru Oak, Lake Nkunga, Mucheene Forest Station, Mucheene Cave, Lake Thai, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sirikoi House, Nyambene Reserve, Liga Ria Ngutu, Lake Magado, Ngare-Ndare Forest Reserve, Ngare-Ndare Falls, Mount Kenya National Park, Sirimon Route, Mount Kenya One Day Trip, Theemwe Route, Theemwe Springs, Marania Route, Lake Rutundu, Rutundu Log Cabins, Chogoria Route, Nithi Falls, The Gates Falls, Lake Alice, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls, Timau River Lodge, Wonky House, Tamalu Farm, Charanna Farm, Kisima Farm, Kisimani Resort, Mwonyo Valley, Giant Footprints
Know More About Meru County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Meru County’s positioning on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and the equator has highly influenced its natural conditions and economic prospects. Altitude ranges from 300m to 5,199m asl.
The topography of Meru County has a critical influence on its climate. Temperatures range from a low of 8 Degrees to a high of 32 Degrees Celsius during the cold and hot seasons respectively.
