Top 10 Facts about Africa

This incredible continent is home to some of the oldest civilisations in the world and is incredibly rich in culture, diversity, and history. It is a truly remarkable place, and here we will explore some of its most fascinating facts. From its incredible wildlife to its incredible geography, Africa is a truly amazing continent. Let’s explore some of the amazing facts about Africa!

1. It is the second largest continent of the world

It is one of the 7 continents of the world and is only smaller than Asia.

2. There are 54 countries in Africa

These include Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Read more about Kenya with our Top 10 Facts about Kenya!

3. Africa has the world’s largest desert – sort of!

The Sahara desert is the largest desert in the world – well technically the largest hot desert. It is the third largest desert overall, smaller only than the deserts of Antarctica and the northern Arctic.

4. It is home to the world’s longest river, The Nile

The Nile is the longest river in the world – although some researchers are arguing that The Amazon is longer. It flows through many different African countries and is the main water source of Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan.

River Nile, Aswan, Egypt, 埃及 | River Nile, Aswan, Egypt, 埃及 | Flickr

5. Most of the world’s diamonds come from Africa

As much as 95 percent of the world’s diamonds and 50 percent of the world’s gold comes from Africa

6. Africa makes 70% of the world’s cocoa beans

Cocoa beans are used to make chocolate. Most of the world’s beans come from 4 West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

File:Cocoa farmers during harvest.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

7. Our earliest ancestors originated from Africa

Africa is sometimes called The Cradle of Humankind because there have been many fossils, tools which indicate that early human life originated here. These people are the earliest known homo-sapiens, which is the species we belong to.