Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million km² of land and is home to nearly 1.4 billion people. Africa has the youngest population of any continent, with a median age of just under 20 years. By the year 2100, Africa's population may grow to over 3.8 billion people.

The continent stretches across the equator and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It includes 54 fully recognised sovereign states, such as Algeria, the largest country by area, and Nigeria, the largest by population. Africa is also home to many natural wonders and wildlife.

Africa has a rich and varied history. It is widely accepted to be the birthplace of humans and many early human ancestors. Over the centuries, powerful empires like Mali, Songhai, and Benin developed across the land. Though many parts of Africa were colonised by European nations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the continent began to gain independence after World War II. Today, African nations work together through the African Union to support one another and address shared challenges.

Etymology

The name "Africa" comes from very old times. The word Afri was a Latin word for people living west of the Nile River in what is now northern Africa. Some think it came from a Berber word ifri meaning "cave," for people who lived in caves.

As time passed, the name "Africa" grew as more was learned about the continent. Different cultures had their own ideas about the name, linking it to words meaning "dust," "sunny," or even "birthplace." Today, we sometimes talk about "North Africa" and "Sub-Saharan Africa" because of old histories tied to colonialist discourse.

History

Main article: History of Africa

See also: History of North Africa, History of West Africa, History of Central Africa, History of East Africa, History of Southern Africa, and List of kingdoms in Africa throughout history

History in Africa

African history looked at change and staying the same through people, their land, gods, and ancestors. In Africa, history was a shared story, told and retold by people over many years. Time in these stories could feel like old tales, with ancestors almost like real people.

Prehistory

Main article: Prehistoric Africa

See also: Recent African origin of modern humans, African humid period, and Sahara pump theory

Africa is the oldest home for humans on Earth. People have lived here for a very long time. Scientists found old bones and tools that show humans lived here millions of years ago. These include early humans like Australopithecus afarensis, Paranthropus boisei, and Homo ergaster.

After Homo sapiens evolved in Africa, the continent was filled with hunter-gatherer groups. These first modern humans left Africa and spread to the rest of the globe around 50,000 years ago. They left through places like the Bab-el-Mandeb, Strait of Gibraltar, or Isthmus of Suez.

4th millennium BC – 6th century AD

See also: Ancient Africa and History of Africa § 4th millennium BC – 6th century AD

Northeast Africa

From 3500 BC, small areas ruled by leaders grew into the kingdoms of Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt in northeast Africa. Around 3100 BC, Upper Egypt took over Lower Egypt and they became one country under the 1st dynasty. The Old Kingdom of Egypt began in 2686 BC. The Kingdom of Kerma started in Nubia around the same time. The New Kingdom of Egypt took over Nubia and the Levant, reaching its best time before ending in 1069 BC.

Horn of Africa

In the Horn of Africa, the Land of Punt was a kingdom near the Red Sea and traded with Ancient Egypt. The kingdom of dʿmt began around 980 BC in the Eritrean-Ethiopian Highlands. In the 1st century AD, the Kingdom of Aksum grew to rule much of the northern Ethiopian-Eritrean Highlands and the Red Sea port of Adulis. Aksum turned to Christianity in the 4th century.

Northwest Africa

Northwest Africa, the Maghreb, was home to Berber people who moved between places. Phoenician people came and built Ancient Carthage, a big trading place before Rome took it over. Numidia and Mauretania became strong in the Maghreb.

West Africa

In West Africa, people began to grow millet and sorghum, and started raising cattle around 2500 BC. The Tichitt culture in today’s Mauritania and Mali was the oldest known well-organized society in West Africa.

Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

See also: Bantu expansion

In the grasslands of northwestern Cameroon, Bantu-speaking farmers began to move south between 5000 BC and 3000 BC. Around 1500 BC, they reached central Cameroon. Some moved along the coast, while others went eastward. Bantu speakers learned to work with iron and lived together with Cushitic speakers.

7th to 18th centuries

Main article: Medieval and early modern Africa

Before European rulers came, Africa had up to 10,000 different groups and polities. These included small groups of hunter-gatherers, bigger clan groups, large structured clans, big Sahelian kingdoms, and independent cities and kingdoms such as those of the Akan, Edo, Yoruba, Igbo, and Swahili.

By the 9th century AD, big states covered the savannah lands south of the Sahara. The strongest were Ghana, Gao, and the Kanem-Bornu Empire. Ghana fell but was replaced by the Mali Empire. Kanem chose Islam in the eleven hundred's.

In West Africa, the Kingdom of Nri began around the nine hundred's. The Kingdom of Ife was famous for its religious center and bronze art. Ife’s way of ruling influenced the Oyo Empire.

The Almoravids were a Berber group that spread across northwest Africa during the eleven hundred's. The Banu Hilal and Banu Ma'qil were Arab Bedouin groups who moved west, mixing with Arabs and Berbers.

After Mali broke up, Sonni Ali started the Songhai Empire, taking Timbuktu and Jenne. His follower Askia Mohammad I made Islam the official religion.

Height of the slave trade

See also: Trans-Saharan slave trade, Atlantic slave trade, Indian Ocean slave trade, and Red Sea slave trade

Slavery had always been part of life in Africa. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, many people were taken from Africa to the New World.

Colonialism

Main article: Colonial Africa

Further information: Scramble for Africa

Independence struggles

Imperial rule by Europeans lasted until after World War II, when almost all colonies became independent. Libya became free in 1951. Tunisia and Morocco became free from France in 1956. Ghana followed in 1957. Over the next ten years, many countries across Africa became independent, finishing in the Year of Africa in 1960 and creating the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

Post-colonial Africa

Main article: Postcolonial Africa

See also: Decolonisation of Africa, Neocolonialism, Status of forces agreement, and Non-Aligned Movement

Today, Africa has 54 countries. After getting their freedom, many African countries faced hard times, with problems like instability and leaders who wanted too much power. Many countries have had times when the military took over the government.

When they first became free, most people in Africa lived with very little money. The land had not been built up under colonial rule, and this made it hard to grow. Even in more stable places like Kenya, it took a long time for the economy to improve.

After getting freedom, some groups of people were treated unfairly, and leaders sometimes started fights between groups to stay in power. Military rule was often used to keep order.

Countries argued over land, and some groups fought against their governments. There were big problems that caused many to suffer.

Since the year 2000, many places in Africa have become more peaceful. Countries have started to work together and trade, which has helped growth. Between 2000 and 2014, Africa’s economy grew quickly. Growth slowed after 2014 because of lower prices for things like oil, and health problems like Ebola and COVID-19.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Africa

Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth. It is separated from Europe by the Mediterranean Sea and is connected to Asia by the Isthmus of Suez, where the Suez Canal is located. The continent has a long coastline and many different landscapes.

Africa's climate changes a lot, from hot deserts in the north to tropical rainforests in the center and south. The continent is home to many animals, including lions, elephants, and giraffes, which live in open areas called savannas. Africa also faces some environmental challenges.

Politics

See also: Elections in Africa, Democracy in Africa, and List of political parties in Africa by country

African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental union with 55 member states. It started on July 9, 2002, replacing the Organisation of African Unity. The AU helps African countries work together.

The AU has a parliament and a court to help make decisions. It is led by a President chosen by the parliament. The AU works for peace, growth, and better lives for people in Africa.

List of states and territories

Main article: List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa

Africa has many countries and areas. These nations are grouped into regions by the United Nations. This helps us organize them. Some places in Africa are governed by countries outside of Africa.

Economy

Main articles: Economy of Africa, List of African countries by GDP (nominal), and List of African countries by GDP (PPP)

See also: Economy of the African Union

Africa has many valuable resources but is still one of the poorest continents. This is because of many challenges, including past difficult governments, lack of education, and conflicts. Many people on the continent struggle with not having enough money or food.

The continent has lots of important minerals like cobalt, platinum, and gold, which are used in many modern technologies. In recent years, Africa has become a big trading partner with countries like China. Some experts believe that with better farming and new ideas, Africa could grow stronger and help more of its people.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Africa and Genetic history of Africa

See also: List of African countries by population and List of African countries by life expectancy

Proportion of total African population by country

1. Nigeria (15.4%)
2. Ethiopia (8.37%)
3. Egypt (7.65%)
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.57%)
5. Tanzania (4.55%)
6. South Africa (4.47%)
7. Kenya (3.88%)
8. Uganda (3.38%)
9. Algeria (3.36%)
10. Other (42.4%)

Africa has the most people with different genetic backgrounds because people have lived there the longest. The number of people in Africa has grown fast in the last 40 years, and many are young. In many African countries, more than half of the people are under 25 years old.

The number of people in Africa grew from 229 million in 1950 to 630 million in 1990. As of 2021, Africa’s population is about 1.4 billion. Africa’s population grew past Europe in the 1990s and passed the Americas around the year 2000.

The total fertility rate (children per woman) for Sub-Saharan Africa is 4.7 as of 2018, the highest in the world.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Africa

Main article: Sport in Africa

African culture has changed over time, especially during colonial times. Some traditions were not allowed, and some languages could not be used in schools. Today, people are working to bring back and respect traditional African cultures. Movements like the African Renaissance want to celebrate African identity and history.

Africa has many popular sports. Football is widely played, and Egypt has won the African Cup many times. Morocco made history by reaching the semi-finals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Basketball is growing, with new facilities in cities like Cairo and Johannesburg. Rugby is also strong, especially in South Africa, which has won the Rugby World Cup many times. Traditional sports like Senegalese wrestling are still enjoyed by many people.