Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With 1.4 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 17% of the world's human population.
Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. The continent includes a wide array of landscapes, from the Sahara Desert in the north, the largest hot desert in the world, to the Kalahari Desert in the south, and the Savanna regions which cover much of the continent. It also features the Rift Valley, a large inland trench that runs from Ethiopia in the north to Mozambique in the south, and is home to some of the world's most significant lakes, including Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.
The history of Africa begins with the emergence of human civilizations in the Nile Valley, which led to the development of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, one of the earliest known civilizations. Africa has a rich history of kingdoms and empires like the Kingdom of Aksum, the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and the Songhai Empire, which were centers of trade, learning, and culture.
During the Transatlantic Slave Trade, millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, marking one of the darkest periods in human history. The 19th century saw the Scramble for Africa, where European powers colonized much of the continent, leading to the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which formalized European control over Africa.
Post-World War II, the wave of Decolonization swept through Africa, with countries gaining independence throughout the 1950s and 1960s. However, the process was often fraught with conflict and has led to ongoing issues with governance, economic development, and political stability in various regions.
Africa's cultural heritage is vast, with over 2,000 languages spoken across the continent, making it one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world. The cultural expressions range from Music of Africa to African art, which has influenced global art through its distinctive styles. Traditional practices like Rites of Passage, storytelling, and folklore are integral to many African societies.
The economy of Africa is diverse, with sectors ranging from agriculture, mining, and manufacturing to services and technology. Despite its vast resources, Africa faces significant challenges including poverty, corruption, and underdevelopment. However, there are also emerging economic hubs like Nairobi and Lagos, which are becoming centers for finance, commerce, and innovation.
Politically, Africa is a mix of various governance systems from democratic to authoritarian regimes. The African Union serves as a continental body aiming to promote unity, peace, and economic prosperity among its 54 member states.