20 Most Fascinating Facts About Africa

Africa has 54 countries and is naturally the most beautiful continent in the world. A lot has happened for us to be where we are now. Some good and some bad, but never short of fascinating things.

Here are some things you might not know about our beautiful continent, Africa.

1. Africa has approximately 30% of the earth’s remaining mineral resources.

2. Africa has the largest reserves of precious metals with over 40% of the gold reserves over  60% of the cobat and 90% of the platinum reserves.

3. All of Africa was colonized by foreign powers during the Scramble for Africa except Ethiopia and Liberia.

4. Arabic is the most spoken language on the continent followed by English.

5. Africa is the second most populated continent with 16% of world’s population.

6. Over 50% of Africans are under the age of 25.

7. The second Congo war claimed 5,4 million lives and is the deadliest worldwide conflict since world war II.

8. There are fewer people with internet connections in Africa than in New York City alone.

9. The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world and is bigger than the continental USA.

10. Africa is the second driest continent after Australia.

11. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.

12. Africa has over 85% of the world’s elephants and over 99% of the African continent.

13. The Nile River is the largest river in the world with a total length of 6,650 kilometers.

14. Africa has over 25% of the world’s bird species.

15. Over 90% of soils are not suitable for agriculture and only 0.25% has moderate to low potential for sustainable farming.

16. Over 1,270 large dams have been built along the continent’s many rivers.

17. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest point in Africa.

18. Equatorial Guinea is the richest country in Africa.

19. The hottest place in the world is recorded at Al’Aziziyah in Libya.

20. The lowest point in Africa is Lake Assal.