Mombasa, the chief port of Kenya, is situated on an island which is linked to the mainland by a causeway caring a road and a railway.At Mombasa starts the great Uganda Railway ,over 1600 kilometers long,and another railway goes from voice into Tanzania .Most of the exports and imports of Kenya and Uganda ,and some to or from Tanzania and Congo pass through Mombasa making this the greatest port in East Africa.
Kilindini,on the south -western side of the island , is the modern port with deep water ,where big ships may anchor .Mombasa Old port, on the other side of the island ,is used now only by a few small coasting vessels and Arab dhows; but long ago it was used by Arabs and Persians,for this was many centuries before Europeans came to East Africa. Even so, about 100dhows from the Persian Gulf still visit Mombasa every year. These dhows are picturesque vessels,often with high, carved sterns, and they have remained the same in pattern for a very long time. They are usually 150-200 tonnes and have one sail set at an angle. The dhows usually arrive in Mombasa between December and April ,bringing Persian carpets and other exotic goods.
To return to kilindini: here is an important passenger port connecting with Europe,South Africa and India. Also, many goods are exported to those same countries: Cotton,Coffee, Tobacco, Sisal, tea,timber and many other things.
