Nairobi is, in many ways, the hub of East Africa. It is the capital city of Kenya, and is home to over 3 million people. Situated at high altitude, Nairobi is free of malaria and the temperature is generally comfortable. The city's airport, Jomo Kenyatta International, is the primary airport for the region, and Nairobi is connected by road and rail to Mombasa, Kenya's main port. Nairobi is a city of contrasts - upscale hotels and clubs, such as the Hilton, Intercontinental and Carnivore, coexist with extreme poverty and some of Africa's biggest slums. Pollution is a major problem here, as is depicted in this photo of a cloud of smoke from a city bus. It is, however, a beautiful and sprawling city, offering endless opportunities for exploration and a good point from which to begin a trip to East Africa.