The Coast Province accounts for about 15% (80 000 km²) of the
country’s surface area and includes seven districts: Taita Taveta, Tana
River, Lamu, Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale (Figure 1). The total
landmass of the Coast Province covers a wide range of physical features
including the gently rolling Shimba hills to the south and the relatively flat
Yatta plateau to the north. The coastal lowlands mainly lie within three
districts, Malindi, Kilifi and Kwale, which cover 1 275 800 ha. The
coastal lowlands region is situated at lat 0-4°S and long 38-44°E and
extends inland from the coast bordering the Indian Ocean to the east and
rising to 300 masl toward the west.