Facts about Africa and its inhabitants. The most interesting fact about Africa: features, history and reviews

Africa is the second most populous continent; more than 1.1 billion people live here: a huge number of nationalities, languages ​​and cultures. Among conflict-ridden and poor countries, there are also quite peaceful, safe and interesting ones for tourists. Many travelers are familiar with countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. And we will tell you about where you can have a pleasant time south of the Sahara in this article.

1.

Perhaps the most unexpected state on this list is Sierra Leone, which not so long ago was torn apart for ten years Civil War. However, since 2002, Sierra Leone has undergone major changes and today it is already ranked among the peace-loving countries according to the Global Security Index (GPI). Sierra Leone is considered one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world, and life expectancy local population is 57 years old, which is not bad by African standards.

Sierra Leone has many beautiful nature reserves, such as the Gala rain forest or the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, clean beaches on the Atlantic coast, and its capital Freetown is oldest city in West Africa.

2.

Leader in security on the African continent. Whether this is due to the fact that peace and tranquility are one of the main characteristics of both the Tswana people and the Bushmen, or because the Botswanans understand the economic contribution tourists make, one way or another there is a very low crime rate.

However, no one promises that baboons will not attack you, so during a safari it is recommended not to feed these warlike monkeys or even smile at them. In general, there are a lot of animals in Botswana; for example, it is home to the largest population of elephants in the world.

One of the popular tourist attractions, along with a Kalahari Desert safari and visit national parks, since the 30s of the last century, the search for ancient treasures hidden from the colonialists in the caves of Gchvihab has been considered. No one has found the treasure yet, but the caves themselves with amazing stalactites up to 10 meters long are worth traveling to the north of the country for.

3.

In 2008, Ghana was identified by the Global Security Index as the most safe country Africa and has remained at the top of this ranking ever since. The country has rare internal conflicts and has peaceful relations with its neighbors. Tourists here are treated very friendly and speak English - this is official language Ghana.

Here you can visit numerous reserves with elephants, antelopes, monkeys and other exotic animals, visit the ruins of castles and fortresses of Cape Post and Elmina, listed World Heritage UNESCO and spend time on clean, uncrowded beaches.

4.

This country in South-West Africa is an oasis of stability and security on a turbulent dark continent. It was discovered quite late (in 1878) by Europeans, quickly emerged from all internal and external conflicts and is now one of the richest African countries.

Here is the oldest desert on earth - the Namib, the legendary Skeleton Coast, many national parks, the site of the fall of the largest Hob meteorite, the second largest canyon after the Colorado and much more.
Do not miss:

Namibia is quite good highways, and tourist train The Desert Express runs between the capital Windhoek and resort town Swakopmund, stopping at particularly noteworthy places along the way.

5.

Uganda is considered a safe country for foreigners by both GPI and public tourism opinion. This may be due to the fact that it is not customary here for traders and barkers to pester people, perhaps due to the fact that the proportion of the country's urban population is only 13%, and the main attractions are not in the villages.

Tourists in Uganda have a lot to see: one of the oldest in Africa national park Queen Elizabeth, Botanical Garden Entebbe, where the first Tarzan film was filmed, the Rwenzori mountain range - most likely, this is what the ancient Egyptians called Moonlit mountains. They practice here sailing on Lake Victoria and rafting on the Nile, which originates in Uganda.

If local residents here they do not cause much disturbance to tourists, so you need to be careful with animals, especially if you see a mother elephant with her baby elephant. By the way, Uganda is located on the main migration route of northern birds: eagles, cuckoos, swallows, kites and many familiar birds spend the winter here.

6.

Cape Verde or Islands Cape Verde- an archipelago off the west coast of Africa. Calmness, tranquility, relative cleanliness and an acceptable level of service (European companies are investing in local tourism) await tourists here, in the homeland of the famous singer Cesaria Evora.

The islands have enough picturesque landscapes: extinct volcanoes, mountain ranges, where you can go trekking, flowering meadows where you can just take a walk. But main feature Cape Verde is, of course, an ocean - it is used to its full potential: starting from the beaches with black volcanic sand, continuing with dives to shipwrecks and ending with windsurfing, schools of which are on every island, but the island of Sal is especially famous for them.

7.

8.

Residents of Tanzania are friendly and smiling, but, as elsewhere, travelers should not let their guard down - there are plenty of robbers here. But there are still many tourists in Tanzania who come here without fear. Here, in the homeland of Freddie Mercury, there is a lot to see.

Firstly, the Kilimanjaro volcano, to the top of which there are numerous hiking trails. Secondly, the island of Zanzibar - resort place, where the most beautiful city founded by the Arabs back in the 9th century is located Stone City. From here they go on spice tours, during which you can grind cinnamon and try unfamiliar spices. Thirdly, the famous Serengeti National Park, which occupies huge area and where more than three million large wild animals live.

Fourthly, biosphere reserve Ngorongoro, located in a colossal (21 km in diameter) crater extinct volcano. It is home to about 25 thousand different animals and has the highest concentration of predators in all of Africa.

9.

Madagascar is a separate continent in miniature: it is so unlike Africa or any other place on earth. There are amazing landscapes here, and 80% of the living animals and plants are found nowhere else.

There are many on the island natural parks and protected areas. Most large nature reserve Tsingy de Bemaraha, which, like many others, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The country is rich beautiful beaches; It is traditionally believed that swimming on west coast safer - there are fewer sharks there.
Take a look at this:

10.

Zimbabwe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa: it is here, on the border with Zambia, that famous waterfall Victoria. In Zambia, by the way, there are fewer tourists, so those who prefer a more secluded environment are recommended to admire the wonder of nature there.
This is definitely worth seeing:

Zimbabwe has a very good conservation structure and there are unusually many animals here even for Africa, so hunting is allowed in some places (almost everywhere on the continent is already prohibited).

In addition to countless national parks, there is also a unique historical site- stone ruins Greater Zimbabwe: pagan temple complex, built over a thousand years ago.

Tourists planning a trip to Africa must have all vaccinations; a list of them is usually available on the embassy website. Even in those countries where vaccination is not required for travel, you must take anti-malarial tablets, and start taking them before the trip. It is strictly forbidden to use raw water even for brushing your teeth.

Are you going on a trip? Don't forget about

Africa is the most hot continent on the planet, which is the second largest among the continents. This is a part of the world with very interesting story, traditions and culture. There are many world famous attractions, natural and cultural monuments historical significance.

The majestic pyramids of Egypt or the pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are classified as ancient buildings worldwide, located near the city of Cairo. They are a complex of pyramids of different sizes, the largest of which is considered the pyramid of Cheops (Khufu). The Pyramid of Khufu, about one hundred and fifty meters high, the construction methods of which are still debated among scientists, is considered one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. Inside the pyramid there are several rooms, they are called tombs, and many descending and ascending corridors lead to them. Nearby are slightly smaller, but just as majestic and mysterious pyramids Mikerin, Khafre and three mini-pyramids.

Great Sphinx

Not far from the pyramids of Giza there is an equally mysterious statue Great Sphinx. The statue is a figure of a lion with a human head, twenty meters high and more than seventy meters long. According to legend, the sculpture was erected to protect the tombs of the pharaohs located in the pyramids. According to historians and archaeologists, there should be three passages under the monument, but so far only one has been discovered.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is located near the city of Luxor, at the base of Mount El Korn. The valley is famous for the multiple burials of royalty and their entourage. Sixty burials were discovered on its territory, the most famous of which are the tombs of Mentuhotep, Intef, Tutankhamun, Al-Khokh, Nefertari. Because of the precious objects with which noble deceased were buried, royal burials were subject to robbery, despite all sorts of tricks to disguise the entrance to the crypt. The tomb of Tutankhamun, opened in 1922, was the only tomb that was not looted. Countless treasures were discovered here, which are now stored in Cairo Museum. Main tourist site Valley of the Kings is the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Its walls are decorated with bas-reliefs, drawings depicting gods and excerpts from the life of the queen. And the ceiling is made in the form of a dark blue starry sky. The burial hall itself, where the sarcophagus with the body was kept, is a golden room with pictograms from the Book of the Dead carved into the walls.

Cairo Museum

The Cairo Museum in Egypt, located in Tahrir Square, was opened in 1902. The museum contains a huge number of historical exhibits dedicated to the era of the pharaohs, some of them are about five thousand years old. Among the exhibits you can see objects of ritual significance, scrolls, manuscripts, sarcophagi, statues, etc. The statue of the Colossus of Ramses II, ten meters high, made of pink granite rock, as well as a sculpture depicting Amenhotep III, amazes with its enormous dimensions. One of the outstanding attractions of the museum is the hall where eleven mummies of the pharaohs are located. The treasury of Tutankhamun's tomb makes an unforgettable impression. She is so rich that she occupies eight rooms in the museum.

Ancient city of Carthage

The city of Carthage, built in 814 BC, was at one time the center of Africa. Ruins every year ancient city, located twenty kilometers from Tunisia, attract many tourists from all over the world. Some of the visited places in Carthage include the baths of Antoninus Pius, decorated with mosaics and numerous sculptures, as well as an amphitheater that can accommodate more than thirty thousand spectators, which is still used today for musical concerts, the sacrificial altar of Tophet, where residents sacrificed their gods firstborns.

Bandiagara

Bandiagara is the name given to the plain with the ancient cliff dwellings, in which the Dogon people live to this day. About ten villages are located on the territory of Bandiagara. Among the special attractions are the mosque, cave drawings, cave burials of the ancestors of the peoples living here.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is Africa's most famous natural landmark. It is located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The size of the waterfall is enormous, its height is more than one hundred meters and its width is almost two kilometers. This most beautiful place is very popular among tourists all over the world. For a panoramic view there are many installed observation platforms. For active rest Sports activities such as kayaking and rafting are organized.

Dallol volcano in Ethiopia

Volcano Dallol is also called the gates of hell. This is the only volcano whose crater is located below sea level. What makes the volcano unique is its unusually colorful landscapes. It's all about deposits of mineral substances washed to the surface, which have scarlet, yellow, green shades. And in the crater of the volcano itself you can observe basalt formations of bizarre shape. According to scientists, the volcano is not expected to be active in the near future, so walking in this area is not dangerous. By the way, the journey to the volcano is not easy, since the terrain here is quite steep. Not far from the volcano live local tribes, meeting whom will allow you to get acquainted with local traditions and the peculiarity of life outside civilization.

Ethiopian Danakil Desert

The Danakil Desert is enchanting and at the same time incredibly frightening. beautiful views. This is a valley of sulfur lakes and volcanoes. Lava lakes active volcanoes captivated by the impressive glow in the night. The air here is very heavy and poisonous from sulfur fumes, but despite this there are those who want to look at enchanting beauty valleys.

Giraffe Center in Kenya

The Kenya Giraffe Sanctuary was founded in 1983. In the park you can climb onto the bridge, from where you have a unique opportunity to take a closer look and even feed the animal directly from your hands.

Valley of the Whales Wadi Al Hitan

Wadi al-Hitan is located one hundred and fifty kilometers from Cairo. The valley is a significant paleontological find discovered in 2005. The value of the find lies in the huge accumulation of remains of ancient cetaceans, from which scientists were able to recreate a picture of the evolution of this species of animal. In addition to the remains of whales, the skeletons of turtles, crocodiles and many animals of the local fauna are also preserved here.

Baobab Sunland

Baobab Sunland is located in South Africa, in Limpopo. The peculiarity of this tree is its incredible size. Its height is more than twenty meters, and its volume is one hundred and fifty-five. In addition, the Sunland baobab is one of the oldest plants on the planet. There are many stories and legends associated with it. Interestingly, inside the tree there is a bar with a capacity of up to forty people.

Kirstenbosch Garden

Kirstenbosch Garden South Africa one of the most beautiful natural areas. The reserve includes more than seven thousand representatives flora planets. There are many houses for tourists in the garden.

Africa – amazing continent, captivating with natural charm and naturalness. Many scientists consider it the cradle of civilization. After all, it is on this mainland Human civilization began to develop. Open slightly unusual world, which the mainland lives in, will be helped by a selection that presents all the most amazing things about Africa.

Interesting facts about the local population

Africa is home to 16% of the world's population. Of these, experts identify about 3 thousand ethnic groups. The second largest continent on the planet has 54 countries.

Among the 2 thousand languages ​​spoken on this continent, the most common is Arabic.

Not everyone knows the amazing fact about Africa that the smallest people on the planet live on its lands. The Negrilli are a group of short peoples better known as Pygmies. The height of adult men of a special race varies between 125-150 cm. The growth limiter in pygmies starts during the period of intrauterine development. Children are initially born small and grow much slower than Europeans.

At the same time, it is quite remarkable that among black residents of other African countries there are many tall people. The tallest people in the world are representatives of the Nilotes. Their average height is 184 cm.

This continent has the lowest life expectancy. Men live on average 50 years, and women even less - 48 years. Among total number 90% of malaria cases in the world occur in the inhabitants of this continent. About 3 thousand African children die from this disease every year. The number of HIV-infected people living in south side from the Sahara.

Attractive countries of the continent for tourists

Africa is considered both the poorest and the richest on the planet. The lowest level of well-being is noted here. At the same time, on the mainland there are lands with stunning flora and fauna, the depths of which are rich in such precious metals and stones as gold, emerald, diamond, garnet, tanzanite, amethyst, ruby.

The most populous country is Nigeria. Egypt ranks second in terms of population and attractiveness for tourists. The list of peaceful and safe countries for tourists also includes: Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe.

It is in Africa that you can see the only surviving wonder of the world - the Pyramids of Cheops. But few people know an amazing fact about Africa that the pyramids were built not only on the lands of Egypt. In Sudan, the number of “desert temples” reaches 223. True, the dimensions are several times smaller.

Among the most amazing countries Africa should include:

  1. Kenya. The equator line runs through the lands of this state. The country is interesting for tourists because it provides the opportunity to witness with their own eyes the great migration of animals, including representatives of the “African Big Five”: buffalo, rhinoceroses, elephants, leopards and lions. Those who like to study the characteristics of the cultures of different nationalities can get acquainted with the tribes that have preserved their traditional way of life: the Meru, Samburu, and Masai.
  2. Uganda. The pearl of the continent is located in the fault zone of the earth's crust. It is famous for its amazing and diverse nature. Natural attractions that are popular among locals and visitors are: Kabarega waterfall, mountain river White Nile and picturesque lakes Edward, Kyoga, Victoria, Alberta. On state protected natural parks In Uganda, you can find representatives of the fauna of endangered species, including mountain gorillas.
  3. Tanzania. This country is attractive due to its pristine jungle. Tourists come here in an effort to admire exotic animals during a safari. In Tanzania there is the legendary Kilimanjaro volcano and a crater formed at the bottom salt Lake Ngoro-Ngoro.

But still, most of the countries of the mainland belong to the number of third world countries that are still on the path of development. For an ordinary tourist, visiting them can be associated with a risk to life.

Breathtaking nature spots

Since Africa is crossed by the center line of the earth's surface and Prime Meridian, it is rightfully considered the hottest and most symmetrical among all continents. The area of ​​the continent is 29.2 million sq. km. And four-fifths of it was consumed rainforests and deserts.

One of amazing facts about Africa is the moment that the Sahara is the most big desert not only on the scale of the continent, but throughout the entire planet. It accounts for 30% of the area of ​​the entire continent. The area of ​​this uninhabited expanse of earth is greater than general territory USA. At the same time, the Sahara continues to expand. Every year it increases in size, expanding its borders to 10 km. There are lakes with salt water in the middle of the Sahara. But their life-giving moisture is not able to quench thirst.

Amazing natural attractions of Africa:

  • Nile– the river, with a length of 6850 km, is considered the longest on the planet.
  • Victoriafresh lake, whose impressive size makes it the second largest on Earth.
  • Ink Lakenatural phenomenon. Instead of clear water it contains ink that is created naturally, but is poisonous to living organisms.
  • "Roaring Smoke"grandiose waterfall Victoria is over 100 m high and almost 1000 m long, the noise from the falling streams in which spreads over 40 km in the area.
  • Oh Doinio Legai– a volcano that erupts black natrocarbonate lava and is rightfully considered the coldest in the world.

There are some very amazing trees growing on the mainland. For example: soap, the fruits and leaves of which are soapy, or candle, the elongated seeds of which contain a high concentration of oils. Dairy, sausage and breadfruit trees also grow here.

A large number of rare animals also live in desert lands: elephants, bongos, giraffes, rhinoceroses, cheetahs, gazelles, zebras, hippopotamuses, lions, okapi, aardvarks. Some species are not found anywhere else in the world.

The most dangerous African animals are hippos. Previously, they were widespread throughout the territory. Today, hippos live only in the southern part on the border with the Sahara. Therefore, they have been given the status of “rapidly declining species.” Despite this, some tribes continue to hunt prohibited animals.

Among the most amazing animals in Africa special attention The rodents “naked mole rats” deserve this, because their skin does not age and does not feel pain from fire and cuts. Lungfishes also live here, which are able to burrow into the ground during critical dry periods.

Africa is the second most populous continent, with more than 1.1 billion people living here. This is a huge number of nationalities, languages ​​and cultures. Among conflict-ridden and poor countries, there are also quite peaceful, safe and interesting ones for tourists. Many travelers are familiar with countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. And about where you can have a nice time south of the Sahara, publication Onetwotrip.com.

Sierra Leone

Perhaps the most unexpected state on this list is Sierra Leone, which not so long ago was torn apart by civil war for ten years. However, since 2002, Sierra Leone has undergone major changes and today it is already ranked among the peace-loving countries according to the Global Security Index (GPI). Sierra Leone is considered one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world, and the life expectancy of the local population is 57 years, which is not bad by African standards.

It has many beautiful natural reserves, such as the Gala rainforest or the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, clean beaches on the Atlantic coast, and its capital Freetown is the oldest city in West Africa.

Botswana

Leader in security on the African continent. Whether this is due to the fact that peacefulness and tranquility are one of the main characteristics of both the Tswana people and the Bushmen, or because the Botswanans understand the economic contribution tourists make, one way or another there is a very low crime rate.

However, no one promises that baboons will not attack you, so during a safari it is recommended not to feed these warlike monkeys or even smile at them. In general, there are a lot of animals in Botswana; for example, it is home to the largest population of elephants in the world.

One of the popular tourist attractions, along with safaris to the Kalahari Desert and visits to national parks, has been the search for ancient treasures hidden from the colonialists in the caves of Gchvihab since the 30s of the last century. No one has found the treasure yet, but the caves themselves with amazing stalactites up to 10 meters long are worth traveling to the north of the country for.

Ghana

In 2008, Ghana was ranked as the safest country in Africa by the Global Safety Index and has remained at the top of the rankings ever since. The country has rare internal conflicts and has peaceful relations with its neighbors. Tourists here are treated very friendly and speak English - this is the official language of Ghana.

Here you can visit numerous reserves with elephants, antelopes, monkeys and other exotic animals, visit the ruins of castles and fortresses of Cape Post and Elmina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend time on clean, uncrowded beaches.

Namibia

This country in South-West Africa is an oasis of stability and security on a turbulent black continent. It was discovered quite late (in 1878) by Europeans, quickly emerged from all internal and external conflicts and is now one of the richest African countries.

Here is the oldest desert on earth - the Namib, the legendary Skeleton Coast, many national parks, the site of the fall of the largest Hob meteorite, the second largest canyon after the Colorado, and much more.


Namibia has good driving routes, and the tourist train The Desert Express runs between the capital Windhoek and the resort town of Swakopmund, stopping at particularly noteworthy places along the way.

Uganda

Uganda is considered a safe country for foreigners by both GPI and public tourism opinion. This may be due to the fact that it is not customary for merchants and barkers to harass people here, perhaps due to the fact that the proportion of the country's urban population is only 13%, and the main attractions are not in the villages.

Tourists in Uganda need to see a lot: one of the oldest Queen Elizabeth National Park in Africa, the Entebbe Botanical Garden, where the first Tarzan film was filmed, the Rwenzori mountain range - most likely, the ancient Egyptians called them the Mountains of the Moon. Here they go sailing on Lake Victoria and rafting on the Nile, which originates in Uganda.

If the locals here do not cause any particular disturbance to tourists, then you need to be careful with the animals, especially if you see a mother elephant with her calf. By the way, Uganda is located on the main migration route of northern birds: eagles, cuckoos, swallows, kites and many familiar birds spend the winter here.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde or the Cape Verde Islands is an archipelago off the west coast of Africa. Calmness, tranquility, relative cleanliness and an acceptable level of service (European companies are investing in local tourism) await tourists here, in the homeland of the famous singer Cesaria Evora.

The islands have plenty of picturesque landscapes: extinct volcanoes, mountain ranges where you can go trekking, flowering meadows where you can just take a walk. But the main feature of Cape Verde is, of course, the ocean - it is used to its full potential: from beaches with black volcanic sand, continuing with dives to shipwrecks and ending with windsurfing, the schools of which are on every island, but the island of Sal is especially famous for them.

Kenya

Kenya, country of the Maasai tribe and business card real African nature, very beautiful, welcoming and tourist developed. Mount Kenya is the second highest on the continent after Kilimanjaro. Migrating birds can be seen all over the country, and the view of Africa's tallest mountain (Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania) from Kenya's Ambosseli Park is perhaps even better than the view from the mountain itself.

Tanzania

Residents of Tanzania are friendly and smiling, but, as elsewhere, travelers should not let their guard down - there are plenty of robbers here. But there are still many tourists in Tanzania who come here without fear. Here, in the homeland of Freddie Mercury, there is a lot to see.

Firstly, the Kilimanjaro volcano, to the top of which numerous hiking trails lead. Secondly, the island of Zanzibar is a resort place where the beautiful Stone Town, founded by the Arabs in the 9th century, is located. From here they go on spice tours, during which you can grind cinnamon and try unfamiliar spices. Thirdly, the famous Serengeti National Park, which occupies a huge area and is home to more than three million large wild animals.

Fourthly, the Ngorongoro Biosphere Reserve, located in the colossal (21 km in diameter) crater of an extinct volcano. It is home to about 25 thousand different animals and has the highest concentration of predators in all of Africa.

Madagascar

Madagascar is a separate continent in miniature: it is so unlike Africa or any other place on earth. There are amazing landscapes here, and 80% of the living animals and plants are found nowhere else.

The island has many natural parks and protected areas. The largest reserve is Tsingy de Bemaraha, which, like many others, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The country is rich in beautiful beaches; It is traditionally believed that swimming on the west coast is safer - there are fewer sharks there.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa: it is here, on the border with Zambia, that the famous Victoria Falls are located. In Zambia, by the way, there are fewer tourists, so those who prefer a more secluded environment are recommended to admire the wonder of nature there.

Zimbabwe has a very good conservation structure and there are unusually many animals here even for Africa, so hunting is allowed in some places (almost everywhere on the continent is already prohibited).

In addition to countless national parks, there is also a unique historical site - the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe: a pagan temple complex built more than a thousand years ago.

Tourists planning a trip to Africa must have all vaccinations; a list of them is usually available on the embassy website. Even in those countries where vaccination is not required for travel, you must take anti-malarial tablets, and start taking them before the trip. It is strictly forbidden to use raw water even for brushing your teeth.

Interesting Facts about Africa: the population and culture of the continent

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Africa is by far one of the most interesting continents due to its diverse landscapes and stunning nature. This continent is also called the "cradle of humanity." If you are planning to visit the black continent or are simply interested in it, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most interesting facts about Africa.

Where did the name "Africa" ​​come from?

There are several theories regarding the origin of the name. The most likely is that the word comes from the Afri people who lived in the north of the mainland in 300 BC. As for the suffix "ka", it is believed that it was added by the Romans and it means "land" or "country".

Another theory is that the word means “sunny” in Latin and “without cold” in Greek.

Size of the African continent

This is the second largest continent on our planet. It occupies approximately 22% of the area of ​​our Earth. It is washed by two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) and two seas (Red and Mediterranean).

Diversity of cultures and peoples

This is where humanity came from, the birthplace of the first great civilization on Earth (Egyptian). The cultures and peoples inhabiting Africa are numerous and unique, from Islamic to North Africa to the fascinating tribal cultures of the South. They all form a dynamic amalgam that catches the eye of millions of tourists every year.

Another interesting fact about Africa is that it is currently home to about one billion people, which is 16% of the world's population. More than a quarter of the total number of languages ​​spoken on our planet are African.

This is further proof of the enormous cultural diversity of this continent. The most populated country– Nigeria. The second most populous country is Egypt, a country with big amount tourists and tourist attractions, mainly thanks to the pyramids and the Sphinx.

World records

The Nile River in Egypt is the most long river in the world, with a length of 4132 kilometers. In addition, the African continent is famous for its big desert in the world, the Sahara, which covers an area larger than the United States.

Africa is home to the fastest animals on the planet - the cheetah and the wildebeest. Additionally, Lake Malawi has the largest number of fish species in the entire world, and the African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth.

Religions and Beliefs

The most common local religion is Islam, followed by Christianity. These religions were completely adapted to the characteristics of local cultures and earlier beliefs.

Also, a few archaic forms of beliefs have been preserved, mainly in small authentic tribes of the African continent.

The highest mountain

The most high mountain– Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic peaks – Shira, Kibo and Mawenzi. This is a potentially dangerous dormant volcano located in Tanzania.

Country with the most pyramids

You might think that the answer is obvious and this is Egypt, but this is far from the truth. Although Egypt really has the most famous pyramids, Sudan has twice more pyramids. But because these pyramids are small and not so tall, they are not as popular as their Egyptian counterparts.

Of course, this is only a small part of the interesting facts about Africa; you can learn the most interesting things by visiting this continent yourself. We'd love for you to share your thoughts with us in the comments.