Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent. With a surface area of ~30 million km², it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area and has a population of ~1.5 billion people, which is ~18% of the world's human population.
Common Misconceptions About Africa
It's full of starving children
While that is true for some parts in the south of Sahara and Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Niger, it is not true for the other 50 countries in Africa.
It's underdeveloped
Development varies across Africa's countries and regions. The continent includes large cities, rural areas, industrial economies, and countries at different stages of development.
It's a country
Africa has more countries than any other continent (54 countries according to the UN).
All Africans are black
Africans have varied skin tones across ethnic groups and regions. South Africa is often called the Rainbow Nation because of its population's diversity.
Africans Speak African
Africa has the most countries and nearly the most languages (2,167 in Africa, 2,301 in Asia, off by 134 languages).
What to Remember
Africa contains distinct languages, regions, cultures, and political systems across its 54 countries.