Malindi
Pillar of Vasco da Gama
Malindi Location in Kenya
Coordinates: 3°13′25″S 40°7′48″E / 3.22361°S 40.13000°E / -3.22361; 40.13000Coordinates: 3°13′25″S 40°7′48″E / 3.22361°S 40.13000°E / -3.22361; 40.13000
Country	Kenya
Province	Coast Province
District	Malindi District
Population (1999)
• Total	117,735
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3)

A view of the old town of Malindi

The giraffe sent from Malindi in 1414, on its arrival in China being presented to the Yongle Emperor.

Malindi (once known as Melinde) is a town on Malindi Bay at the mouth of the Galana River, lying on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is 120 kilometres northeast of Mombasa. The population of Malindi is 117,735 (in 1999 census).^[1] It is the capital of the Malindi District.

Overview [edit]

Tourism is the major industry in Malindi. The city is exceptionally popular among Italian tourists. Malindi is served with a domestic airport and a highway between Mombasa and Lamu. The nearby Watamu resort and Gedi Ruins (also known as Gede) are south of Malindi. The mouth of the Sabaki River lies in northern Malindi. The Watamu and Malindi Marine National Parks form a continuous protected coastal area south of Malindi. The area shows classic examples of Swahili architecture.

Malindi is home to the Malindi Airport and Broglio Space Centre.

History [edit]

Malindi has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. Once rivaled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa, Malindi has traditionally been a port city for foreign powers. In 1414, the town was visited by the fleet of the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Malindi's ruler sent a personal envoy with a giraffe as a present to China on that fleet.

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama met Malindi authorities in 1498 to sign a trade agreement and hire a guide for the voyage to India, when he erected a coral pillar. The pillar stands to this day, though there have been calls by conservationists to take care of it, since soil erosion might make the pillar fall into the ocean. It is a fairly popular tourist attraction for both local and international tourists. In 1499 the Portuguese established a trading post in Malindi that served as a resting stop on the way to and from India. A church dates from this era.

Many traditional buildings survive, including the Juma Mosque and palace on the beach, a stretch popular with tourists.

Local governance [edit]

Malindi now falls under Kilifi County as per the administrative changes in the new constitution passed in August 2010. Malindi forms a municipal council with the following thirteen wards: Barani, Ganda/Mkaumoto, Gede, Gede North, Gede South, Kijiwetanga, Madunguni, Malimo, Malindi Central, Malindi North, Maweni, Shella, Watamu Town. All of them are located within Malindi Constituency.^[2]

The mayor of Malindi is Mohamed Menza.^[3]

Malindi is one of four administrative divisions in Malindi District. It has the following eight locations: Chakama, Ganda, Gede, Goshi, Jilore, Langobaya, Malindi and Watamu.^[4]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Media related to Malindi at Wikimedia Commons

• Malindi Municipal Council Website

v t e First- and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya Provinces Central Coast Eastern Nairobi North Eastern Nyanza Rift Valley Western Principal cities and towns Baragoi Bungoma Busia Eldoret Embu Garissa Hola Homa Bay Isiolo Kajiado Kakamega Kapenguria Kericho Kiambu Kilifi Kisii Kisumu Kitale Kitui Limuru Lodwar Lokichokio Loiyangalani Lamu Machakos Malindi Mandera Maralal Marsabit Meru Mombasa Moyale Mumias Murang'a Nairobi Naivasha Nakuru Namanga Nanyuki Narok Nyahururu Nyeri Ruiru Thika Voi Wajir Webuye Wundanyi Districts Baringo Bomet Bondo Bungoma Buret Busia Butere/Mumias Embu Garissa Gucha Homa Bay Ijara Isiolo Kajiado Kakamega Keiyo Kericho Kiambu Kilifi Kirinyaga Kisii Kisumu Kitui Koibatek Kuria Kwale Laikipia Lamu Lugari Machakos Makueni Malindi Mandera Maragua Marakwet Marsabit Mbeere Meru Central Meru North Meru South Migori Mombasa Mount Elgon Moyale Muranga Mwingi Nairobi Nakuru Nandi Narok Nyamira Nyandarua Nyando Nyeri Rachuonyo Samburu Siaya Suba Taita-Taveta Tana River Teso Tharaka Thika Trans Mara Trans-Nzoia Turkana Uasin Gishu Vihiga Wajir West Pokot

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