Africa is the second largest continent, after Asia, and is generally believed by historians and scientists to be the place where human life began. Geographically, it is located to the south of the Mediterranean Sea, west of the Indian Ocean, east of the Atlantic, and southwest of the Red Sea.
The continent features a variety of different climate regions, and is the only continent which includes both the northern and southern temperate zones. The northern region, which includes such countries as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, and Ethiopia, contains the Sahara Desert, the second largest desert in the world (Antarctica is technically considered the largest), and the Nile River, the longest river in the world. Africa’s central region, comprised of such countries as Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Congo, and Tanzania, contains rainforests, savannah grasslands, and jungles. The southern portion, with such countries as South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, enjoys a temperate or subtropical climate.
Most historians, anthropologists, and archeologists agree that Africa is the oldest inhabited continent on this planet, and that humanoids lived there 7 million years ago. Throughout the ages, the climate of Africa has changed considerably, and the Sahara region has gone from being a wet, tropical, and fertile place, to the dry, desolate desert that it is today. Most of the beginning traits of civilization, such as domestication of animals, farming, and the construction and use of tools and implements, began in Africa. So, too, did the idea and practice of trade between peoples.
Africa has been home to many great civilizations throughout the years, with ancient Egypt being perhaps the greatest, and certainly the most well-known. The Egyptians are dated with the first historical record at 3300 BC, and their rule lasted until roughly 31 BC. Although the Sphinx, Pyramids of Giza, and tombs of the pharaohs are certainly the most popular and renowned historical structures in Africa, there are many other sites of interest from other cultures as well in Africa. Timbuktu, located in Mali, is one of Islam’s most important historical sites, and dates back to the 10th century. The city contains many important and beautiful mosques, universities, and for centuries was the epicenter of African Islam. It is now a UNESCO protected site. Carthage, located in what is now Tunis, was a rival city-state to the Greeks and Romans. Until its destruction in 146 BC, Carthage was one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean.
Today’s Africa can’t be summed up in so many words, as each country is vastly different, but—like all regions—African countries find themselves facing problems and overcoming challenges. Integrating into the modern world has been problematic for Africa, but there are many cities—Nairobi, Cairo, Cape Town, and Casablanca, for example—that are modern cities, complete with all the amenities and concerns that modern life offers.
As what’s generally termed the “Cradle of Life,” Africa is home to some of the most diverse and interesting populations of animals in the world. Lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, and much, much more inhabit the continent. Africa’s lack of population density, combined with the open spaces and lack of human encroachment, allows these animals to roam freely and enjoy their natural migratory patterns. As such, Africa provides a wonderful chance to see a diversity of animals in their natural habitat. |
