Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city with a population of 900,000. It is located on an island off the southern coast of Kenya on the Indian Ocean. Mombasa has poorly built roads, basic building materials, pollution, and cramped living conditions. Tourists enjoy shopping local handicrafts and souvenirs, relaxing on beaches, and day trips including diving, fishing, and visiting historic sites like Fort Jesus. Fort Jesus was originally built by the Portuguese in the 16th century to protect trade routes and served as an important port for exporting spices.