On the one hand, Africa is a challenging continent, but on the other, it is a wonderful continent. Furthermore, many of us find it enigmatic, and we can point to a large number of details about it that we are unaware of. It has a diverse range of biological and purely geological characteristics that set it apart. It is a city worth visiting because it is made up of important people and a blend of diverse cultures. Here are a few interesting facts about Africa.
Africa is the world’s oldest populated continent. Archaeologists have found evidence that the human species has lived in these lands for approximately 7 million years!
Africa is also the second most populous continent in the world. It is one of the most diverse places on the planet, having a diverse terrain, wildlife, and climate.
Facts About Africa
- The continent of Africa consists of 54 countries and one territory
- Africa has eight major geographic regions, each with its own unique landscape. Sahara Desert, Savannah, Sahel, Great African Lakes, Swahili Coast, South Africa and rainforest. Is one of the important Facts About Africa.
- The African savannah are tropical grasslands of fairly large dimensions, covering roughly half of the continent.
- The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. In fact, it is bigger than the United States!
- Africa used to be made up of around 10,000 different countries and communities until it was colonised. Each of them had their own language and customs.
- The Sahel is a strip of dry land. That extends across North Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.
- Timbuktu University (located in the Republic of Mali) is one of the oldest universities in the world. Already in the 12th century, the school attracted thousands of students from all over the continent.
- Lake Victoria – one of the Great Lakes of Africa – has an area of 68,800 square kilometres. Making it the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.
- While African rainforests are home to half of the continent’s animal species, they are under severe threat. Unfortunately, almost 90% of West African rainforests have already been depleted.
- While Europe and Africa may seem distant, they are less than a dozen kilometres apart in the Strait of Gibraltar that separates Spain from Morocco.
African Animals
- Africa is home to the largest remaining populations of lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards.
- The Nile river is the second-longest river in the world with a length of 6,650 km.
- Lagos, Nigeria is the largest city on the African continent with over 13 million inhabitants.
- Ethiopia is the only African country with its own alphabet. It has been in use since the 5th century. Making it one of the oldest alphabets in the world still in use today.
- Even though Africa is the second largest continent in the world, it has the shortest coastline! This is because many bays extend beyond the coastline.
- Although South Africa covers only 1% of the Earth’s surface. It is home to 6% of the world’s mammals and reptiles.
- The highest point of Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with a height of 5,895 meters.
