Africa is the second-largest continent in the world by surface area, covering an area of approximately 30,370,000 square kilometers. Africa is the world’s hottest continent, with the highest average temperatures in the world. It is also the driest continent, with only the coastal parts receiving substantial rainfall. It is home to 54 countries, each with its own culture, language and customs. The population of Africa is estimated at 1.3 billion people, with a median age of 19. There is a wide variety of landforms in Africa, ranging from deserts to tropical rainforests, highlands and savannas. Many of Africa’s natural resources are being exploited, including minerals, oil, and timber, while others remain untapped. The continent is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes. Africa is a diverse continent with a rich history, and its unique geography and natural resources are vital to its future.
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Africa Surface Area
Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, covering about 11.7 million square miles, or about 30 million square kilometers. This makes up about 6 percent of the total land surface area on Earth. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The continent is divided into five distinct regions: Northern Africa, Eastern Africa, Western Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. It is home to 54 countries, hundreds of ethnic groups, and a wide variety of cultures and languages. Africa is known for its vast deserts, rainforests, mountain ranges, and savannas, making it an incredibly diverse continent.
Facts and figures on the continent’s size
Africa is the second-largest continent on the planet, with an estimated total surface area of 30,370,000 square kilometers. That’s roughly three times the size of the United States, and it makes Africa the largest of the world’s seven continents.
In terms of land mass, Africa comprises of 11.5% of the world’s total surface area and 22.3% of the world’s landmass. It’s also home to more than 1.2 billion people, making it the most populous continent on the planet.
Africa’s largest country is Algeria, which covers an area of 2.38 million square kilometers. The smallest country is the Seychelles, occupying just 455 square kilometers.
In terms of latitude and longitude, Africa stretches from 34°N to 35°S and from 19°E to 41°E. Its coastline is estimated to be around 25,000 kilometers long.
When it comes to the highest and lowest points, Africa’s tallest peak is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which stands at 5,895 meters above sea level. The continent’s lowest point is Lake Assal in Djibouti, which lies 155 meters below sea level.
Africa is also home to some of the world’s most iconic and diverse wildlife. It’s home to some of the planet’s most famous creatures, like the African elephant, the lion, and the rhinoceros. The continent is also home to some of the world’s oldest and most unique ecosystems, like the Sahara Desert and the Congo rainforest.
The continent is also home to some of the world’s most impressive and dramatic landscapes, like the Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Great Rift Valley, and the Serengeti National Park.
Africa is a continent of remarkable diversity and beauty, and its surface area reflects this fact. With its vast expanse of land, it’s no wonder why the continent is so beloved by so many people around the world.
Breakdown of the largest countries
Africa is a continent of vast and varied proportions. With an area of 30.3 million square kilometers, it is the second-largest continent in the world, behind Asia. While it is home to some of the world’s most populous countries, it is also home to some of the least populous. Here, we break down the largest countries in Africa by surface area.
The largest country in Africa is Algeria, with a surface area of 2.4 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, and the Mediterranean Sea. Algeria is the largest country in the Maghreb region, and the tenth-largest country in the world.
The second-largest country in Africa is Sudan, with a surface area of 1.86 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Libya, and the Red Sea. Sudan is the third-largest country in the Arab world, and the fifteenth-largest country in the world.
The third-largest country in Africa is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a surface area of 2.34 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The DRC is the fifteenth-largest country in the world.
Fourth in line is Libya, with a surface area of 1.77 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and the Mediterranean Sea. Libya is the fourth-largest country in the Arab world, and the seventeenth-largest country in the world.
Fifth on the list is South Africa, with a surface area of 1.22 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. South Africa is the twenty-fourth-largest country in the world.
The sixth-largest country in Africa is Tanzania, with a surface area of 945,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Indian Ocean. Tanzania is the twenty-seventh-largest country in the world.
Seventh on the list is Niger, with a surface area of 1.27 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Niger is the twenty-eighth-largest country in the world.
Eighth in line is Angola, with a surface area of 1.25 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Atlantic Ocean. Angola is the twenty-ninth-largest country in the world.
Ninth on the list is Mali, with a surface area of 1.2 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. Mali is the thirtieth-largest country in the world.
The tenth-largest country in Africa is Morocco, with a surface area of 710,850 square kilometers. It is bordered by Algeria, Spain, Mauritania, and the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco is the thirty-fourth-largest country in the world.
Africa is a continent of immense beauty and diversity, and its largest countries are no exception. From the bustling cities of Algeria to the vast valleys of Mali, the largest countries in Africa have something to offer everyone.
Comparison of Africa to other continents
When it comes to continental surface area, Africa is the second largest of the seven continents, coming in just behind Asia. While Asia’s total land area is approximately 44,579,000 km2, Africa’s total land area is estimated at 30,244,050 km2. This makes Africa slightly larger than Europe (which is approximately 10,180,000 km2), and significantly larger than North America (which is approximately 24,709,000 km2).
When compared to the other continents, Africa has the longest coastline, measuring at around 16,000 miles (25,000 km). This coastline is largely comprised of the African coastline of the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, Africa is home to the second-longest river on Earth, the Nile River. The Nile River is the longest river in Africa, and the second-longest river in the world, measuring at 4,258 miles (6,853 km).
Africa is also the second driest continent on Earth, after Australia. Despite this, however, it still contains some of the most productive lands in the world, with many of its countries experiencing some of the highest agricultural yields on the planet.
In terms of population, Africa is the second most populous continent on Earth, with a population of around 1.2 billion people. This is largely due to the fact that Africa is the most youthful continent, with over 40% of its population under the age of 15.
Overall, Africa is a continent of immense size, with a long coastline and vast stretches of land that are both productive and home to a large population. While Africa may not be as large as Asia, it is still an important and influential continent that is worthy of consideration when comparing the different continents.
Conclusion
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km² (11.8 million square miles), it covers 6% of the Earth’s total surface area and 20% of its total population. With over 1.2 billion people, it accounts for about 22% of the world’s population.
Africa is a landlocked continent. The northern boundary is the 60th parallel south, the eastern boundary is the East African Rift, and the southern boundary is the equator. The continent has a wide variety of climate, from arid desert in the east to humid tropical rainforest in the west.
Africa is rich in mineral resources, including copper, gold, iron, uranium, and diamonds. It has a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and gorillas.
Africa is a developing continent, with a long history of conflict and instability. It has made significant progress in the past decade, with a number of countries, including Angola, Botswana, and Mozambique, achieving significant progress in poverty reduction and human development. However, much work remains to be done, including addressing the challenges of corruption, inequality
