Exploring Our World: The African Continent
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. It is located south of the Mediterranean Sea separating it from Europe, it borders the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Indian Ocean to the east. The Red Sea separates Africa from the Arabic countries located in Asia. It is known for its rich cultures, diverse landscapes, and incredible wildlife. Let’s explore some exciting facts about Africa!
Africa is home to over 1.4 billion people, making it the second most populated continent after Asia. There are over 2,000 languages spoken across Africa! Some of the most common ones include Arabic, Swahili, French, English, Hausa, and Yoruba.
Africa has 54 countries! Here are some of the largest and most well-known:
Egypt: Famous for its ancient structures, especially the pyramids of Giza and places like Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, and the White Desert National Park. Nigeria: The most populated country in Africa, famous for its Nollywood film industry and diverse cultures. South Africa: Known for its safaris, boulder beach penguins, and biltong, a cured beef snack similar to jerky . Kenya: Home to many amazing animals, and also known for coffee and the port city of Mombasa. Morocco: Known for their colourful markets, the Moroccan Desert and the amazing Moroccan food. Ethiopia: One of the oldest countries in the world, known for its rich history, believed to be the last known place of the Ark of the Covenant, and unique cuisine.
Africa has many incredible places to see:
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt: Ancient structures built over 4,500 years ago. The Great Sphinx in Egypt: Likely dates from the reign of King Khafre in 2575-2465 bce and depicts his face. Victoria Falls between Zimbabwe and Zambia: One of the largest and most stunning waterfalls in the world. Valley of the Kings in Egypt: Where many Egyptian Pharaohs were buried, there are 63 beautifully painted royal tombs located here, including those of famous pharaohs like Tutankhamun. Table Mountain in South Africa: A famous flat-topped mountain in Cape Town. The Avenue of Baobabs in Madagascar: This stunning collection of Baobab trees has been growing here for over 2,800 years, they stand at 30 meters tall. Zanzibar: An archipelago of islands located off the Tanzanian coast. This destination has much to offer, including blissful sunsets and incredible beaches.
Africa has a variety of amazing landscapes:
The Nile River: The longest river in the world, flowing through several countries, it is about 6,650 km or 4,130 miles long. The Congo River: It is the world’s deepest recorded river, with measured depths of around 220 m or 720 ft. The Niger River: The major river of West Africa with an unusual boomerang shape. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania: The highest mountain in Africa and one of the highest mountains in the world 5,895 m or 19,341 ft. Atlas Mountains in North Africa: it separates the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Mount Kenya: An extinct volcano in Kenya and the second-highest peak in Africa, at 5,199 m or 17,057 feet. The Sahara Desert: The largest hot desert in the world, covering much of North Africa. Congo Rainforest: The second-largest rainforest in the world, home to many animals and plants. It covers over 500,000,000 acres (2,000,000 km2) across six countries and contains a quarter of the world’s remaining tropical forest. Madagascar: A large island with many unique animals found nowhere else in the world. The Serengeti Plains: The Serengeti hosts the world’s most massive land animal migration, about 70 large mammal and 500 bird species are found there.
Africa is home to many unique animals:
Lions: The “king of the jungle”. African Elephants: The largest land animals in the world. Giraffes: The tallest animals in the world. Zebras: Known for their black and white stripes. Hippos: Who spend most of their time in the water. Gorillas: Who live in the rainforests. Cheetahs: The fastest land animals.
Africa is a continent of adventure, history, and natural beauty. With its diverse cultures, landscapes, and animals, it is truly a wonderful place to learn about and explore!