Lamu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lamu
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Town
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| Country |  Kenya |
| County | Lamu County |
| Founded | 1370 |
| Population
(2019)
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| • Total | 25,385 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Lamu Old Town |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) |
| Reference | 1055 |
| Inscription | 2001 (25th Session) |
| Area | 15.6 ha (39 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 1,200 ha (3,000 acres) |
Lamu or Lamu Town is a small town on Lamu Island in Kenya. Situated 341 kilometres (212 mi) by road northeast of Mombasa.
Lamu Town on Lamu Island is Kenya's oldest continually inhabited town and was one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. It is believed to have been established in 1370. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Notable landmarks
The town was founded in the 14th century and it contains many fine examples of Swahili architecture. The old city is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa".
The town contains the Lamu Fort on the seafront. The fort was completed by the early 1820s.
Transport
In 2011, proposals were being advanced to build a deep-water port which would have much greater capacity in terms of depth of water. China has begun to transform Lamu into the largest port in East Africa.
Since the island has no cars, transportation and other heavy work is done with the help of donkeys. There are some 3000 donkeys on the island.
In popular culture
The song "Lamu" by Christian singer Michael W. Smith is inspired by the island. The song is about running away from life's problems.
Lamu is the setting of Anthony Doerr's short story "The Shell Collector" from his collection of stories by the same name.
Images for kids
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Lamu Fort
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Activity on the waterfront
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View from Stone House Hotel
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Riyadha Mosque
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Dhows competition during the Lamu cultural festival 2012
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