One of the most interesting facts about Africa is that the length and breadth of this continent are about the same. It measures around 4,660 from north to south and from east to west.
Africa is not only the second-largest but the second most populated continent as well and houses about 12% of the world population.
Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and has an estimated population of 120-140 million. The population in Seychelles is around 80,000 people and is the least populated country.
The African continent has approximately 3,000 distinct ethnic groups while Nigeria alone has about 370 of these tribes that have been officially recognized. You will find more information on African culture here.
Around 2,000 different languages are spoken in Africa and each of them has different dialects while Arabic is the language that is most widely spoken in the African continent.
The Equator goes around 2,500 miles from the west to the east of the African continent thus dividing this continent into two separate halves north and south. It passes through many of the African nations such as Congo, Somalia, Uganda as well as Kenya.
If we go by the records of the fossil remains Africa seems to be the first continent where humans were found. The fossil remains have suggested that humans had inhabited the African continent around 7 million years ago.
Africa also boasts of having the longest river in the world which is the Nile that runs for around 4,150 miles before it meets the ocean. It flows through several African countries such as Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda as well as Egypt thus making the land extremely fertile.
The Victoria Falls as seen from Zimbabwe
The Victoria Falls
The largest waterfall in Africa is the Victoria Falls and it is located on the Zimbabwe and Zambia border. It has a height of 355 feet and the width of the waterfall runs into almost a mile.
The largest desert in the world the Sahara desert is also situated in Africa and it spans across at least a dozen countries – around 3.5 million square miles.
The extent of the Sahara Desert across Africa
The Sahara desert covering a chunk of northern Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro is the largest mountain in Africa and stands tall at 19,340 feet. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa measuring 26,560 square miles.
Madagascar is the largest island in the African continent and it lies just off the east coast of Africa. It has a length of around 1,000 miles with a width of around 350 miles. This island is also the 4th largest island in the world.
Africa also boasts of the best flora and fauna in the world. It has the most flourishing wildlife in the entire world. It also houses some of the fastest animals on lands such as the cheetah, wildebeest, gazelle and lion. Find out more information on African animals here.
Africa’s mining is well known and the continent produces at least 50% of the diamonds and gold in the whole world. The rest of the countries around the world contribute to the remaining 50% of the production of these precious stones and metal.
South Africa is also home to the ‘largest green canyon in the world’ and it is known as the Blyde River Canyon and this is also the 3rd largest Canyon in the world.
If you know any other interesting facts about Africa that you would like to share with us please contact us and we will happily display them here.
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