Africa is the most interesting yet the diverse continent of extremes. It is home of extremely poor, extremely very young people, exotic animals, extreme climates and a place of spectacular locations. Africa is well known for its stunning colorful clothing and breathtaking artworks. One of the most unknown yet interesting facts about Africa is that over half of the continent comprises of people who are under 25 years of age.
Africa is the continent where human beings first noted on Earth and thus it is the home of world’s first great civilization. Africa is the distinctive continent which is rich in diversity and wonderful tourist attractions. Here is the list if some strange yet lesser known facts about Africa.
Some Hidden Scoops About Africa
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Interesting Facts About People of Africa
Africa is a massive continent made up of 54 countries. It is a home to around a billion people who speak over 1500-1600 different languages. It would be surprising to note that 1 in every 4 of world’s language is spoken at this continent.
The main religion followed here is Islam followed by Christianity. Africa has the 2nd largest population in the world. It is reported that Africa’s population is around 15% of the total world’s population.
The oldest human body ever found was observed in Ethiopia, which was approximately about 200,000 years old.
According to the sources the continent’s population will reach to 2.3 billion by 2050.
Illiteracy rate in Africa is higher than other continents. Nearly 40% of African people are illiterate. Out of that 2-3rd’s are women while adult literacy rate are below 50% in Chad, Niger, The Gambia, Benin and other places.
Some Facts about Africa Landforms
The largest waterfall in Africa is Victoria Falls which is 355 feet high and one mile wide. The fall is situated at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world, and the largest island in Africa.
Nile which is the longest river (4132 miles) in the world is located in Africa. Nile River drains into the Mediterranean Sea from Africa’s Northeastern edge.
Africa also leads in the desert; the world’s largest desert i.e Sahara Desert is located in Africa. (It is almost equal in size of the U.S.)
Hidden facts about African Animals
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African elephant is the world’s largest land animal.
The world’s fastest land animal i.e. Cheetah lives in Africa.
It would be surprising to note that the world’s tallest animal i.e. Giraffe also live in Africa.
The Nile crocodile which is the world’s largest reptile has their home in Africa.
Over 30% of world’s bird species are found in Africa.
Africa has 8 of the 11 major forests and the largest population of hyena, rhinoceros and other species.
Lake Malawi in Africa has the more fish species as compared to any other freshwater system on earth.
The world’s biggest frog Goliath is found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
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More Interesting Africa Facts
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Almost more than half of the gold ever mined on Earth has been noticed from a single place Witwatersrand, South Africa.
African continent is the world’s underdeveloped and poorest country that accounts only 2.4% of global GDP.
Over than 1300 large dams have been built along Africa’s many rivers.
Around 25 million people are found HIV positive and nearly 18 million of people are already died because of the disease.
90% of cases of malaria occur from Africa, and it is reported that approximately 24% of child deaths are from sub Saharan Africa.
It is world’s second driest continent after Australia. As 90% of soil is found unsuitable for agriculture and only 0.25% soil is used for sustainable farming.
Africa comprises a range of precious metals with over 40% of gold reserves, 90% of the platinum and 55-60% of the cobalt reserves.
Over 60% of Africa’s labor force works in food production and vast areas to support agricultural economies.
It is the hottest continent on earth.
Africa’s largest country is Sudan which is nearly measures 968000 square miles.
The largest city in Africa is Cairo. There are more than 1 million Chinese citizens on the African continent.
The number of Pyramids in Sudan is double the number of pyramids found in Egypt.
People living in Swaziland were considered as the world’s first miners.
Timbuktu, Mali is the oldest universities in the world that existed in Africa in 982 CE.
It would be amazing to know that in Africa, you are legally allowed to attach flamethrowers to your car.
Talking about the internet connection and social media users, there are over 100 million facebook users in Africa.
Sports like cricket and soccer which were introduced during the colonial era are the favorite sports of Africa's.
Around 10 million tourist visits Africa every year and the most loved location of the tourists is Egypt.
You can note the image of an AK-47 assault rifle in the flag of Mozambique; hence it is the only national flag in the world featuring a modern rifle.
People living in Africa speak French more than the people living in France itself.
One of the most shocking facts of Africa is that kids of age 1-5 are actively involved in child labor.
In Burundi, Children under 5 years (almost 40%) are underweight.
As of 2008, the electricity consumed per person in Africa is (4759 kW/h) while Ethiopia has the least consumption of 42.3 kW/h).
It is well known that Africa is the second largest continent but a fact that it has the shortest coastline is not widely known. This is because; many edges and bay are extended out of the coastline.
Watch video and know some more interesting facts about South Africa