Kenya is a land of dramatic extremes and classic contrasts, famous for its traditional savanna safaris. Deserts and mountain snow; woodlands and wide plains; Nairobi's city and vibrant tribal cultures; freshwater lakes and coral reefs Kenya, for many people, is East Africa in miniature. It has everything from the arid deserts of the south to the lush forests of the north. The country is also known for its wildlife. From elephants in national parks to leopards on private game reserves, Kenya has some of the best wildlife viewing in all of Africa. There are more than 50 species of mammals, over 120 species of birds, and several large marine fish such as marlin that can be found in Kenyan waters. In addition to its natural beauty, Kenya is also known for its history and culture. The tribes that live in Kenya's rural communities were among the first humans to walk across Africa. Their unique languages have no relation to any other language on earth. The cities of Kenya were built by immigrants from all over the world: Europeans brought cars, motorcycles, and airplanes; Americans have added guns to this mix. These days, Kenyans like to travel abroad too, especially to Europe and North America. Finally, Kenya is known as the home of the Olympic marathon. The course for the London Olympics was based on a race that was first run here in 1967.