Geography
Uganda, twice the size of Pennsylvania, is in East Africa. It is bordered by five countries. On the west it is bordered by the Congo, on the north by Sudan, on the east by Kenya, and on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda. Uganda, which lies across the equator, is divided into three main areas—swampy lowlands, a fertile plateau with wooded hills, and a desert region.
Lake Victoria forms part of the southern border of Uganda and is the largest lake on the African continent, the world's largest tropical lake, and the world's second largest freshwater lake. Lake Victoria is considered to be the source of the Nile River; the longest river in the world.
Mount Stanley, located in western Uganda, is the third highest mountain in all of Africa, with its tallest peak being Margherita Peak at 16,763 feet (5,109 m).
Climate
Uganda's climate is tropical. This means it is generally rainy, particularly during the months of March to May, and September to November. The remaining months, December to February, and June to August comprise Uganda's two dry seasons.
Lake Victoria forms part of the southern border of Uganda and is the largest lake on the African continent, the world's largest tropical lake, and the world's second largest freshwater lake. Lake Victoria is considered to be the source of the Nile River; the longest river in the world.
Mount Stanley, located in western Uganda, is the third highest mountain in all of Africa, with its tallest peak being Margherita Peak at 16,763 feet (5,109 m).
Climate
Uganda's climate is tropical. This means it is generally rainy, particularly during the months of March to May, and September to November. The remaining months, December to February, and June to August comprise Uganda's two dry seasons.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda's economy. Uganda's main food crops are plantains, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sorghum, corn, beans, and groundnuts. Major cash crops are coffee, cotton, tea, and tobacco. Agriculture accounts for 80% of Uganda's income source. Coffee is the main cash crop and is the leading export.
Wildlife
Uganda has over 340 mammal species in all sizes; from large mammals like gorillas, lions, and elephants to small ones, like bats, rats, shrews and moles. You will also find a variety of reptiles including crocodiles, snakes and lizards. Uganda also has a wide spectrum of insects with over 140 butterfly species.
Natural resources
copper, cobalt, hydro-power, limestone, salt, arable land
Flag
People, Sunshine, Brotherhood. The flag of Uganda features six stripes. The black stripes represent the African people. The yellow represents the sunshine prevalent in Africa. The red stripe represents brotherhood.
National Symbol
Uganda's national symbol is a bird, the grey crowned crane, known for its gentle nature.
Money
The Ugandan Shilling, (UGX) is the national currency of Uganda. About 2,600 shillings equals 1 US dollar. Both coins and bills are issued, each with a different amount of shillings. Coins include the rare 10 shilling coin, along with the 50, 100, 200, and 500 shilling pieces, and bills include the 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 shilling bills.
Languages
English is the official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts. Ganda or Luganda is the most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school. Other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, and Arabic are spoken.
Religions
Uganda is a religiously diverse nation with Christianity and Islam being the most widely professed religions. According to the 2002 census, 85.4% of the population is Christian, while 12.1% of the population adheres to Islam, (mainly Sunni). The Northern and West Nile regions are dominated by Roman Catholics and Inganga district in the east of Uganda has the highest percentage of Muslims.
Fun Fact
The Ugandans drive on the left side of the road. Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. Since people in the UK drive on the left side of the road, with a right side steering wheel, it is only natural that those with cars in Uganda do the same!
Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda's economy. Uganda's main food crops are plantains, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet, sorghum, corn, beans, and groundnuts. Major cash crops are coffee, cotton, tea, and tobacco. Agriculture accounts for 80% of Uganda's income source. Coffee is the main cash crop and is the leading export.
Wildlife
Uganda has over 340 mammal species in all sizes; from large mammals like gorillas, lions, and elephants to small ones, like bats, rats, shrews and moles. You will also find a variety of reptiles including crocodiles, snakes and lizards. Uganda also has a wide spectrum of insects with over 140 butterfly species.
Natural resources
copper, cobalt, hydro-power, limestone, salt, arable land
Flag
People, Sunshine, Brotherhood. The flag of Uganda features six stripes. The black stripes represent the African people. The yellow represents the sunshine prevalent in Africa. The red stripe represents brotherhood.
National Symbol
Uganda's national symbol is a bird, the grey crowned crane, known for its gentle nature.
Money
The Ugandan Shilling, (UGX) is the national currency of Uganda. About 2,600 shillings equals 1 US dollar. Both coins and bills are issued, each with a different amount of shillings. Coins include the rare 10 shilling coin, along with the 50, 100, 200, and 500 shilling pieces, and bills include the 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 shilling bills.
Languages
English is the official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts. Ganda or Luganda is the most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school. Other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, and Arabic are spoken.
Religions
Uganda is a religiously diverse nation with Christianity and Islam being the most widely professed religions. According to the 2002 census, 85.4% of the population is Christian, while 12.1% of the population adheres to Islam, (mainly Sunni). The Northern and West Nile regions are dominated by Roman Catholics and Inganga district in the east of Uganda has the highest percentage of Muslims.
Fun Fact
The Ugandans drive on the left side of the road. Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. Since people in the UK drive on the left side of the road, with a right side steering wheel, it is only natural that those with cars in Uganda do the same!
A few more facts...
President: Yoweri Museveni (1986)
Prime Minister: Amama Mbabazi (2011)
Land area: 77,108 sq mi (199,710 sq km);
Total area: 91,135 sq mi (236,040 sq km)
Population (2012 est.): 33,640,833 (growth rate: 3.3%); birth rate: 45.8/1000; infant mortality rate:
64.2/1000; life expectancy: 53.45
Literacy rate: 70%
Transportation: Railways: total: 1,244
km (2010).
Highways: total: 70,746 km; paved: 16,272 km; unpaved: 54,474 km (2003).
Waterways:
there are no long navigable stretches of river in Uganda; parts of the
Albert Nile that flow out of Lake Albert in the northwestern part of
the country are navigable; several lakes including Lake Victoria and
Lake Kyoga have substantial traffic; Lake Albert is navigable along a
200-km stretch from its northern tip to its southern shores (2011).
Ports and harbors: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell.
Airports: 46 (2012). Entebbe International Airport is the main airport.
Citations
http://www.factmonster.com/country/uganda.html
n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Uganda
http://www.safaribookings.com/uganda/wildlife
http://www.safaribookings.com/uganda/wildlife
I'm learning already! Thanks for the detailed information.
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