|
||
|
|
|
|
Nairobi National Park, an circa 1990 Kenyan pictorial map, encompasses the diverse landscape and wildlife of the area, reflecting an intricate relationship between ecology and human development. This geographical representation serves as an insightful record of environmental conservation efforts in Kenya.
Nairobi National Park, established in 1946, is renowned as Kenya's first national park and one of the country's conservation showpieces. It holds the distinctive honor of being the only game reserve in the world located so close to a nation's capital. The map provides a detailed layout of the park, offering a wealth of information about the area's topography, primary access points, and primary wildlife inhabitants. Notably, it features key landmarks such as Mount Kenya and Aberdares, while marking the Hohsasa Road Gate, the Aerodrome, and the Main Gate, suggesting popular points of entry during that era.
The map is embedded with historical context, providing a snapshot of the region's ecosystem and human interactions with nature at that time. The indication of a Caltex Service Station, a noteworthy symbol of human encroachment, reflects the tension between conservation and development. It speaks to the unique challenges faced by Nairobi National Park, as its proximity to a major urban center posed unique pressures on wildlife habitats.Indeed Caltex was the publisher of this map.
Moreover, the map underscores the park's biodiversity, listing common mammals, birds, and reptiles found in the area, such as the rock hyrax, the wolf snake, and the leopard. These references contribute to the map's utility as a guide for park visitors, but also serve a broader scientific and educational purpose, indicating species' distribution during the period. Thus, this map of Nairobi National Park offers more than geographic detail; it provides a comprehensive picture of the park's ecosystem, reflecting its environmental significance and highlighting its complex relationship with urban development.
Date loosely approximated.
