Geography of Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both aspects. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surface area. With 1.4 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 18% of the world's human population. Africa's population is the youngest amongst all the continents; the median age in 2012 was 19.7, when the worldwide median age was 30.4. Despite a wide range of natural resources, Africa is the least wealthy continent per capita and second-least wealthy by total wealth, ahead of Oceania. Scholars have attributed this to different factors including geography, climate, tribalism, colonialism, the Cold War, neocolonialism, lack of democracy, and corruption. Despite this low concentration of wealth, recent economic expansion and the large and young population make Africa an important economic market in the broader global context.

Geographical Regions of Africa

North Africa: Encompassing countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan, this region is characterized by the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, and the Mediterranean coastline.

West Africa: Including nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Mali, West Africa features diverse landscapes, including savannas, rainforests, and the Sahara's fringes.

East Africa: Comprising countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia, East Africa is known for the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the coastal areas along the Indian Ocean.

Central Africa: Countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon are part of Central Africa, characterized by dense rainforests and the Congo River basin.

Southern Africa: Including nations such as South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Southern Africa features a mix of landscapes, including deserts, savannas, and coastal areas.

"I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself":Nelson Mandela

"Africa has her mysteries, and even a wise man cannot understand them. But a wise man respects them": Desmond Tutu.

"Africa is not a poor continent; it's a poorly managed continent":Leymah Gbowee

"When we are comfortable and inattentive, we run the risk of committing grave injustices absentmindedly":Chinua Achebe

"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking":Wangari Maathai

"A tiger does not proclaim its tigritude, it pounces":Wole Soyinka

"The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them":Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

"To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there":Kofi Annan

"I look at an ant and I see myself: a native South African, endowed by nature with a strength much greater than my size so I might cope with the weight of a racism that crushes my spirit":Miriam Makeba