Africa is extraordinary. The most interesting places in Africa

An amazing continent with over one billion people. There are jungles here, and even glaciers. The continent is located in all four hemispheres of the Earth. Learn more about the continent from the ten amazing and important geographic facts about Africa below.

Maybe Africa is the cradle of mankind

East African rift valley, separating the Somali and Nubian tectonic plates, is the site of several important discoveries remains of human ancestors by anthropologists. The active expanding valley is considered the cradle of mankind, where our path probably began, millions of years ago. The discovery of Lucy's skeletal fragments in 1974 in Ethiopia was the impetus for serious research in the region.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world

Less than half of Africa's population lives in cities

Africa is a poorly urbanized region of the world. Only 39% of the continent's population lives in cities. The continent is home to only two metropolitan areas with over ten million inhabitants: Cairo (Egypt) and Lagos (Nigeria). Cairo is home to 11 to 15 million people, while Lagos is home to 10 to 12 million people. Africa's third largest city is probably Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with between 8 and 10 million people.

Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the continent

The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is above level. Located in Tanzania near the Kenyan border, this dormant volcano rises to a height of 5,895 meters. Kilimanjaro hosts Africa's only glacier, although scientists predict that all ice on the mountain's summit will disappear by the 2030s due to global warming.

Africa has the largest arid desert in the world

While the Sahara is not Earth's hottest desert, it is the most visible. The desert covers more than 9 million km², or about 31% of the total land area of the mainland.

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During the so-called "scramble for Africa" almost all countries were colonized by foreign countries. Only Ethiopia and Liberia remained independent - an interesting fact.
There are 54 countries in Africa and one disputed territory called Western Sahara.
Prior to colonization, there were up to 10,000 different states and autonomous tribes in Africa with their own languages, customs and culture.
Official statistics say that the most popular language on the continent is Arabic. It is spoken by over 170 million people. The second most popular is English (130 million people), followed by Swahili (100 million people), French (115 million people), and Hausa (50 million people), an interesting fact.
2000 languages are spoken on the continent.
About 50% of Africans are under the age of 25.
Demographic trends predict that Africa's population will more than double by 2050, to 2.3 billion.
Africa is the poorest and least developed continent in the world, an interesting fact. The total GDP of all African countries is only 2.4% of world GDP.
About 40% of African adults do not have a secondary education.
More than 5.4 million people died during the Second Congo War! In terms of the number of victims, this conflict is second only to the Second World War - an interesting fact.
There are more Internet users than in the whole of Africa.
Sahara - largest desert in the world! Its territory is larger than the continental part.
Africa is the second driest continent after Australia.
There are more than 1 million Chinese citizens on the African continent. There are more than 350,000 Chinese in Angola alone, an interesting fact.
Africa is the second largest continent in the world and occupies about one-fifth of the earth's total land area. Its territory is about 30.2 million km²
A terrible fact about Africa: there are more than 25 million HIV-infected people on the continent. On this moment more than 17 million people have already died from this disease.
Approximately 90% of all cases of malaria in the world occur in Africa - an interesting fact.
Africa is the hottest continent in the world. Deserts and arid regions occupy more than 60% of its area.
Interesting facts: Africa has more than 30% of the mineral resources of the Earth.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Its population is 125-145 million people. Egypt is the second most populous country with over 76 million people - an interesting fact.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa. Its area is 2500 thousand km 2. The smallest country is Island state Seychelles with a total area of just over 453 square kilometers.
Interesting facts: Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Its area is 69,490 km2.
Egypt is the most popular tourist destination in Africa, attracting about 10 million visitors a year, an interesting fact.
Africa is home to the world's largest animal, the African elephant. It can weigh from 6 to 7 tons.
Scientists believe that Africa was once part of a single super-continent called Pangea. Asia and South America separated from Africa about 80 million years ago. The African continent remains relatively stable and has not changed for a long time. Geologists believe that it separated from the African continent about 160 million years ago - an interesting fact.
The ancient Greeks and Romans originally used the term "Africa" only to refer to the northern part of the continent. Translated from Latin, the word Africa means "sunny", and from the Greek Aphrike means "without cold".
Interesting Fact: Historians estimate that between 15th and 19th centuries, about 7-12 million slaves were transported from Africa to America.
Since 2001, all countries of the continent, with the exception of, have entered the so-called "African Union" - an interesting fact.
Islam is the dominant religion in Africa. Together with Christianity, these two religions cover 85% of the population of the continent. The remaining 15% of the population are atheists and representatives of traditional African religions.
Interesting facts: Nigeria is the fourth largest oil exporter in the world and the largest oil producer in Africa. Nigeria supplies the world market with about 2.2 million barrels every day.
is Africa's main trading partner. Trade volumes are about $200 billion a year - an interesting fact.
China's direct investment in Africa exceeds $50 billion.
More than 90% of Africa's soils are unsuitable for agriculture.
Interesting facts: More than 240 million Africans suffer from chronic malnutrition.
Among the peoples of Africa, there are small and tall people in the world.
Equatorial Guinea is the richest country in Africa. GDP per capita is $16,507. Botswana is in second place with a GDP of $14,906. Zimbabwe is in last place with $589 per year, an interesting fact.
Chad has the second fastest growing economy in the world.
Unfortunately, the top 10 poorest countries in the world are in Africa.

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Africa is one of the largest continents, with a lot of attractions that are definitely worth a visit. If you go on a trip to Africa, be sure to visit at least a few of the places listed below.

Africa is so exotic and diverse that every place will surprise you with something unique. If you visit at least one of the places we have listed, you can deservedly consider your trip to Africa useful and interesting.

Zanzibar

The semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is a truly unique destination in Africa. Zanzibar offers travelers an interesting mix of architecture that combines Arabic, Middle Eastern, Moorish and Indian styles. It has a wealth of world-class beaches, vibrant sights and well-preserved history. Be sure to spend time in the capital of Zanzibar, Stone Town (stone city), where there are several fantastic museums and an old fort from the 17th century.

Lake Malawi

One of the largest reserves fresh water in Africa are found in Lake Malawi. As the name suggests, most of the lake is located within the borders of Malawi, also covering parts of Tanzania and Mozambique. If you want to see Lake Malawi, one of better ways to do this will be a visit to the national park of the same name, located in south end lakes. The park has miles of walking paths, not to mention countless viewpoints where you can admire the lake and take breathtaking photos. With a depth of 706 meters, Malawi is one of the most deep lakes peace.

Etosha Park

The second largest game reserve in Namibia is the Etosha National Park. It was created around the Etosha salt flat where numerous animals congregate. As a result, national park became an exciting place to watch wildlife Africa. Be sure to bring binoculars with you to get a better look at the zebras, springbok antelope, lions, giraffes, elephants and other wild inhabitants of the park. Three holiday camps provide visitors different types housing, allowing you to observe amazing animals in comfortable conditions with all amenities.

Fish River Canyon

The incredible Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia is one of the largest canyons in the world. It is truly a breathtaking natural attraction in Africa and one of the natural wonders of the continent. It is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. You can take a hike along the canyon on a hiking trail, or book a helicopter tour to admire the colorful rock formations against the backdrop of a raging river.

Okavango Delta

At the meeting point of the Okavango River and the Kalahari Basin, you will find the Okavango Delta. This superb place with untouched nature is definitely worth a visit. Thanks to the source of water, the wildlife of the Okavango is particularly diverse. In addition, this is a popular safari destination where you can enjoy the amazing landscapes of Africa. A fantastic and unforgettable way to explore the Okavango Delta is an aerial tour by plane that allows you to see all the local beauties in detail. This wonder of nature in Botswana is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Mount Kilimanjaro

In the far north of Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, is located famous mountain Kilimanjaro. It is the highest in Africa as well as the highest standalone mountain in the world, making Kilimanjaro a popular destination for many travelers. Only the strongest of them can make it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, but there are also other ways to explore one of the most beautiful places in Tanzania. Easier hikes around the base of the mountain will delight you with magnificent waterfalls and lots of amazing scenery.

Kruger park

The most famous of the many parks South Africa is the Kruger National Park, named after former South African President Paul Kruger. The creation of the park had three main goals: nature conservation, education and tourism. To visit the park, you need to buy a permit, after which you can travel both independently and with a guide. Most visitors prefer to join a guided tour, or book a safari tour. Main attractions national park The Krugers include the Crocodile River Lookout, the village of Masorini, and an abundance of Big Five animals: lions, African buffalo, rhinoceros, African elephant, and leopard. Kruger is also included in the ranking of the outstanding beauties of South Africa.

Ngorongoro Game Reserve

The Ngorongoro Nature Reserve is one of the most prominent attractions in Tanzania. The area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater, a volcanic caldera at the center of the reserve. The crater attracts many tourists, as does the steep gorge of Oldupai. The Ngorongoro Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Africa's top attractions for nature lovers who can spot African buffalo, black rhino, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest and even the Tanzanian cheetah in their natural habitat.

Cape Town

Capital of South Africa - unique city Cape Town. This extraordinary historic vibrant city is named for its location on the Cape Good Hope. Learn more about the history of Cape Town, as well as explore incredible sights, in the Bo Kaap area, and on Robben Island, where political prisoners were held, including Nelson Mandella. One of the main natural attractions of Cape Town is Table Mountain, which offers a breathtaking view of the Cape of Good Hope and the beauty surrounding the city. You can climb Table Mountain on foot or by cable car.

Masai Mara

Africa is inhabited by numerous tribes and peoples, but few of them are as amazing as the Masai Mara tribe. This group owns national reserve Masai Mara in southern Kenya. Every year, thousands of tourists come here to explore the scenery and wildlife. In addition to watching rhinos and lions, you can visit a local village and learn more about Masai Mara culture, cuisine, traditions and national dress.

Victoria Falls

Right on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe is the Victoria Falls. The incredible waterfall on the Zambezi River is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. During the rainy season from December to March, the water flows are more powerful, but in the rest of the year there is something to see. In addition to admiring the views from observation deck, you can enjoy Victoria Falls by canoeing or rafting at its base. Romantic sunset cruises along the falls are especially popular.

Serengeti park

In northeastern Tanzania, the Serengeti National Park is one of the most incredible reserves in Africa. The name Serengeti means endless plains and that is exactly what you will find in the park. Over a million wildebeest and over 200,000 zebras migrate across the plain every year. By visiting the Serengeti National Park, you will immerse yourself in the world of wildlife, watching cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, gazelles and other animals. Hot air balloon tours as well as photo safaris are two great ways to get the most out of the Serengeti.

AFRICATRAVEL will make your trip interesting, safe and unforgettable. We won't show you the world; we will show you Africa better than anyone...

Africa is the second most populous continent with over 1.1 billion people: great amount nationalities, languages and cultures. Among the conflict and poor countries, there are also quite peaceful, safe and interesting for tourists. Many travelers are familiar with countries such as South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. And about where you can have a good time south of the Sahara, we will tell 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 by Civil War. However, since 2002, Sierra Leone has undergone major changes and today it is already 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.

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

2.

Leader in security on the African continent. Whether this is due to the fact that peace and tranquility is one of the main features of both the Tswana people and the Bushmen, or the fact that the Botswana people understand the economic contribution of tourists, but anyway there is a very low crime rate.

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

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

3.

In 2008, Ghana was ranked by the Global Security Index as the most safe country Africa and has since held the top lines in this ranking. The country rarely has internal conflicts and has peaceful relations with its neighbors. Tourists are treated very friendly here and speak English with them - this is the official language of Ghana.

Here you can visit numerous nature 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 Southwest Africa is an oasis of stability and security on a troubled black continent. It was discovered quite late (in 1878) by Europeans, quickly got out of 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 after the Colorado Canyon and much more.
Do not miss:

Good in Namibia highways, and The Desert Express tourist train runs between the capital Windhoek and resort town Swakopmund, making stops along the way at particularly noteworthy places.

5.

Uganda is considered safe for foreigners by both the GPI and public tourism opinion. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it is not accepted here that merchants and barkers pester people, perhaps due to the fact that the share of the urban population in the country is only 13%, and the main attractions are not in the villages.

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

If locals here they do not cause much concern to tourists, then you need to be careful with animals, especially if you see an elephant with a baby elephant. By the way, Uganda is located on the main migration route of northern birds: eagles, cuckoos, swallows, kites and many birds familiar to us winter here.

6.

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

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

7.

8.

The inhabitants of Tanzania are friendly and smiling, but, as elsewhere, travelers should not lose their vigilance - there are enough robbers here. But there are still many tourists in Tanzania who come here without fear. Here, in the homeland of Freddie Mercury, there is something to see.

Firstly, Mount Kilimanjaro, to the top of which numerous hiking trails lead. Secondly, the island of Zanzibar - resort place, where the most beautiful city, founded by the Arabs in the 9th century, is located stone city. From here they go on tours for spices, during which you can chop 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 a colossal (21 km in diameter) crater extinct volcano. It is home to about 25,000 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. Here are amazing landscapes, and 80% of the living animals and plants are found nowhere else.

The island has many natural parks and protected areas. The largest reserve of Tsingy de Bemaraha, which, like many others, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The country is rich beautiful beaches; Traditionally it is believed that swimming on west coast safer - there are fewer sharks.
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 advised to admire the miracle of nature there.
It's definitely worth seeing:

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

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

Tourists who are going on a trip to Africa must definitely do all the vaccinations, their list is usually on the website of the embassies. Even in those countries for which vaccination is not required, it is necessary to take antimalarial pills, and start taking them even before the trip. It is strictly forbidden to use raw water even for brushing your teeth.

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Interesting facts about Africa: population and culture of the mainland

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Africa is one of the most interesting continents today due to its diverse landscapes and stunning nature. This continent is also called the "cradle of mankind". If you are planning to visit the black mainland or are just interested in it, we offer you to get acquainted 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 in Latin the word means "sunny" and in Greek it means "without cold."

Dimensions of the African continent

It 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 the place where mankind originated, the birthplace of the first great civilization on Earth (Egyptian). The cultures and peoples that inhabit Africa are many and unique, from the Islamic in North Africa to the fascinating tribal cultures in the South. All of them form a dynamic amalgam that catches the eye of millions of tourists every year.

Another interesting fact about Africa is that it currently has 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 another proof of the huge cultural diversity of this continent. The most populated country is Nigeria. The second most populated country is Egypt, a country with a large number of tourists and tourist attractions, mainly thanks to the pyramids and the Sphinx.

world records

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

Africa is home to the fastest animals on the planet - the cheetah and the wildebeest. In addition, 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 widespread local religion is Islam, followed by Christianity. These religions have fully adapted to the characteristics of local cultures and earlier beliefs.

A few archaic forms of beliefs have also been preserved, mainly in the 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 it is Egypt, but this is far from the truth. Although Egypt does contain the most famous pyramids, Sudan has doubled more pyramids. But because these pyramids are small and not as tall, they are not as popular as their Egyptian counterparts.

Of course, this is only a small part of the interesting facts about Africa, the most interesting you can find out by visiting this continent on your own. We would love it if you share your thoughts with us in the comments.