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Being the second largest continent and home to over 53 independent countries with a rich mix of native peoples, cultures, economies and history, trying to write about all of it in one page is obviously impossible. Therefore, this page is dedicated to a few amazing facts and figures only. If you are looking for something more comprehensive to get your teeth into then you can click on our Afica Encyclopedia menu link and you will be taken to a more in depth entry on this great continent.
Africa is one of the most unique and interesting continents especially as scientists claim that the human species have their origins about 5 million years ago. The oldest humanoid bones ever found were found in Africa.
- Africa covers 30,330,000 sq km (11,699,000 sq mi), which makes up about 22 per cent of the world's total land area.
- Africa is home to the largest desert in the world: the Sahara.
- The Nile river is in Africa and it is the longest river in the world at 4145 miles long.
- There are over 1000 languages spoken in Africa.
- Africa is also home to some of the tallest and the shortest people in the world. Pygmy women average only 135 cm (4ft5in) and men 137 cm (4ft6in)! Whilst the Tutsi men average a height of 182cm (6ft) and many are often 7ft tall.
- There are more people online in New York City than on the entire continent of Africa.
- It is estimated that over 740 million people reside there.
- In Africa over 1,000 language varieties are spoken
- The world's largest desert is the Sahara Desert which is than the continent of U.S.A.
- Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the world's second-largest freshwater lake covering an area of 69,490 sq km (26,830 sq mi).
- To start a business in Ethiopia only costs about $75.
- The largest diamond ever found in the world was located in Cullinan, South Africa.
- Africa is home to the tallest animal in the world, the giraffe, which are six feet tall when born.
- Three-fourths of Africa is in the tropics.
- Africa is four times the size of the United States.
- Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is one of the world's largest mountains and is actually a volcano. The highest point is Uhuru Point - (5, 5.963 m/19,340 ft).
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