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Revision as of 19:07, 11 May 2003 view sourceAtob (talk | contribs)162 editsm for most of Africa's existence, no mammals had nation states (except possibly possums)← Previous edit Revision as of 09:43, 17 May 2003 view source 203.97.2.242 (talk) mpt: Cleaned up language, fixed broken link to MoroccoNext edit →
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<b>Africa</b> is the world's third largest ]. At 11,608,000 sq. miles (30,065,000 sq. km) it covers 20.3% of the total land area on Earth and with over 600 million human inhabitants it accounts for around 1/10th of the world population. The ] used the name ''Africa terra'' (land of the Afri (pl.) or Afer (sg.)) for the northern part of the continent, corresponding to modern ]. The origin of ''Afer'' may be the Arabic ''afer'', dust; the ] tribe, who dwelt in Northern Africa around the area of ]; ] ''aphrike'', without cold, or ] ''aprica'', sunny. <b>Africa</b> is the world's third-largest ]. At 11,608,000 sq. miles (30,065,000 sq. km) it covers 20.3% of the total land area on Earth, and with over 600 million human inhabitants it accounts for around one tenth of Earth's human population.
The ] used the name ''Africa terra'' --- "land of the Afri" (plural, or "Afer" singular) --- for the northern part of the continent, corresponding to modern-day ]. The origin of ''Afer'' may be the Arabic ''afer'', dust; the ] tribe, who dwelt in Northern Africa around the area of ]; ] ''aphrike'', without cold; or ] ''aprica'', sunny.
] ]
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''Main Article: ]'' ''Main Article: ]''


Africa is home to the oldest inahabited territory on earth, and it is believed the ] race orginated from what is now this continent. Africa is home to the oldest inahabited territory on earth, and it is believed the ] race originated from what is now this continent.


For most of humanity's history, Africa had no ]s, and was instead inhabited by many small, loosely associated ] groups, ]s, and families. In the 14th century ] explorers arrived in Africa. By barganing with some of the local tribal leaders the Europeans were able to capture millions of Africans, and export around the world them for labour in what became known as the global ]. In the early 19th century the European ] powers staged a massive "]" and occupied most of the continent, creating many colonial states. This occupation continued until the conclusion of the ], after which all colonial states were gradually granted independence. Today, Africa is home to over 30 independent countries, many of which still operate under borders drawn during the era of European ]. For most of humanity's history, Africa had no ]s, and was instead inhabited by many small, loosely associated ] groups, ]s, and families. In the 14th century ] explorers arrived in Africa. By bargaining with some local tribal leaders, Europeans were able to capture millions of Africans, and export them for labour around the world in what became known as the global ]. In the early 19th century the European ] powers staged a massive "]" and occupied most of the continent, creating many colonial states. This occupation continued until the conclusion of the ], after which all colonial states were gradually granted independence. Today, Africa is home to over 30 independent countries, many of which still have borders drawn during the era of European ].


==Politics== ==Politics==


Following independence, African states have been frequently marred by instability, violence, and ]. Until recently, few nations in Africa were able to sustain ] governments, and istead cycled through a series of brutal ]s and ]s Since independence, African states have frequently been hampered by instability, violence, and ]. Until recently, few nations in Africa were able to sustain ] governments, instead cycling through a series of brutal ]s and ]s.


Border and territorial disputes have also been common, with the European-imposed borders of many nations being widely contested through armed conflicts. Border and territorial disputes have also been common, with the European-imposed borders of many nations being widely contested through armed conflicts.
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Failed government policies have also resulted in many widespread ]s, and significant portions of Africa remain without enough food or water to survive. The spread of dangerous diseases is also rampant, especially the deadly ] virus. Failed government policies have also resulted in many widespread ]s, and significant portions of Africa remain without enough food or water to survive. The spread of dangerous diseases is also rampant, especially the deadly ] virus.


Despite numerous hardships, there have been some signs the continent has hope for the future. With international help, many African governments have been able to turn their economies around, and some nations are showing growth for the first time in decades. Democractic governments seem to be spreading, and although still not the majority, more and more Africans are living in freedom than ever before. Political associations such as the ] are also offering hope for greater co-operation and peace between the continent's many countries. Despite numerous hardships, there have been some signs the continent has hope for the future. With international help, many African governments have been able to turn their economies around, and some nations are showing growth for the first time in decades. Democratic governments seem to be spreading, and although still not the majority, more and more Africans are living in freedom than ever before. Political associations such as the ] are also offering hope for greater co-operation and peace between the continent's many countries.


==Demographics== ==Demographics==


The population of Africa is almost entirely ]. The nations of ] and ] maintain small, but significant ] and ]n minorities groups. Some of Africa's northern countries, such as ] and ] have ]ic majorities. The population of Africa is almost entirely ]. The nations of ] and ] maintain small, but significant ] and ]n minorities groups. Some northern countries, such as ] and ], have ]ic majorities.


Africa is home to a wide variety of different religous groups. ] and ] have a significant presence in many countries, while others retain regionally unique tribal beliefs and customs. Africa is home to a wide variety of different religous groups. ] and ] have a significant presence in many countries, while others retain regionally unique tribal beliefs and customs.

==Culture==


==Countries== ==Countries==

Revision as of 09:43, 17 May 2003

Africa is the world's third-largest continent. At 11,608,000 sq. miles (30,065,000 sq. km) it covers 20.3% of the total land area on Earth, and with over 600 million human inhabitants it accounts for around one tenth of Earth's human population.

The ancient Romans used the name Africa terra --- "land of the Afri" (plural, or "Afer" singular) --- for the northern part of the continent, corresponding to modern-day Tunisia. The origin of Afer may be the Arabic afer, dust; the Afridi tribe, who dwelt in Northern Africa around the area of Carthage; Greek aphrike, without cold; or Latin aprica, sunny.

File:Africa map cia.png

Geography

Main Article: Geography of Africa

History

Main Article: Outline of the history of Africa

Africa is home to the oldest inahabited territory on earth, and it is believed the human race originated from what is now this continent.

For most of humanity's history, Africa had no nation states, and was instead inhabited by many small, loosely associated tribal groups, kingdoms, and families. In the 14th century European explorers arrived in Africa. By bargaining with some local tribal leaders, Europeans were able to capture millions of Africans, and export them for labour around the world in what became known as the global slave trade. In the early 19th century the European imperial powers staged a massive "scramble for Africa" and occupied most of the continent, creating many colonial states. This occupation continued until the conclusion of the Second World War, after which all colonial states were gradually granted independence. Today, Africa is home to over 30 independent countries, many of which still have borders drawn during the era of European colonialism.

Politics

Since independence, African states have frequently been hampered by instability, violence, and authoritarianism. Until recently, few nations in Africa were able to sustain democratic governments, instead cycling through a series of brutal coups and military dictatorships.

Border and territorial disputes have also been common, with the European-imposed borders of many nations being widely contested through armed conflicts.

Failed government policies have also resulted in many widespread famines, and significant portions of Africa remain without enough food or water to survive. The spread of dangerous diseases is also rampant, especially the deadly AIDS virus.

Despite numerous hardships, there have been some signs the continent has hope for the future. With international help, many African governments have been able to turn their economies around, and some nations are showing growth for the first time in decades. Democratic governments seem to be spreading, and although still not the majority, more and more Africans are living in freedom than ever before. Political associations such as the African Union are also offering hope for greater co-operation and peace between the continent's many countries.

Demographics

The population of Africa is almost entirely black. The nations of Zimbabwe and South Africa maintain small, but significant white and Asian minorities groups. Some northern countries, such as Egypt and Morocco, have Arabic majorities.

Africa is home to a wide variety of different religous groups. Christianity and Islam have a significant presence in many countries, while others retain regionally unique tribal beliefs and customs.

Countries

Central Africa

Eastern Africa

Northern Africa (see also North Africa)

Southern Africa

Western Africa

African Languages

Ecology of Africa

External link