Africa is the second-largest continent in size and population globally. But Africa isn’t just big. It also boasts a wealth of interesting facts, superlatives, and cultures central to its existence.
These facts range from the languages, history, tourism, and the uniqueness that make Africa the remarkable place it is. Therefore, you never truly know the continent if you don’t know these 17 facts about Africa.
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Africa is Bursting at the Seams
1. Africa is home to 54 countries, although 9 of them are still dependent territories.
2. Overall, there are 1.5 billion people living in Africa. That figure means nearly 18% of the world’s total population lives in Africa.
3. There are sixteen landlocked countries in Africa, fully fitted in the interior of the continent. None of these countries has access to the Atlantic Ocean or the Indian Ocean. Examples include the tiny countries of Eswatini and Lesotho, which are within South Africa.
The ‘David’ and ‘Goliath’ of Africa
4. Algeria is the largest country in Africa and one of the ten largest countries in the world. While Nigeria is the most populous with more than 230 million people, it’s only a third of the size of Algeria.
5. The smallest country in Africa is Seychelles, both in land area and population.
6. As for the cities in Africa, Lagos in Nigeria is the most populous with more than 30 million people, according to Statista 2025. Cairo in Egypt is the second largest with 23 million people.
7. The smallest city in Africa is Victoria, the capital of Seychelles.
The African Nature Superlatives
8. The Sahara Desert is the driest and hottest desert in Africa and on Earth.
9. The Nile is the world’s longest river, passing through 11 African countries
10. Tugela Falls in South Africa is Africa’s highest waterfalls and the world’s second tallest.
11. The highest mountain in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
12. The largest lake is Lake Victoria, bordering Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. It is also the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, behind only Lake Superior in North America.
A ‘Boiling Pot’ of Culture
13. Africa is home to over 3,000 distinct ethnic groups/tribes, each with its own unique language, culture, and traditions.
14. That explains why 1 out of every 3 languages spoken worldwide comes from Africa.
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15. Africa is home to several tourist locations. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Table Mountain in Cape Town in South Africa
- Pyramids of Egypt
- Masai Mara National Park in Kenya
- Kruger National Park in South Africa
- Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe
- Seychelles, Mauritius, and the Indian Ocean Islands
- Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
- Morocco Markets, Deserts, and the Atlas Mountains
The Legend of Tarzan Chose Africa for a Reason
16. Some of the largest animals on this planet are native to Africa. Some notable mentions include the largest land mammal, the African elephant, the tallest mammal, the giraffe, and the fastest mammal, the cheetah.
17. You can also find many endangered animals in Africa. A visit to the Kruger National Park in South Africa would treat you to sights of animals like the White and Black Rhinoceros, etc.
Wakanda Forever
With such a rich embodiment of interesting facts about Africa, it is clear what many find fascinating. With events like the ‘Speed Does Africa’ tour, the richness of the continent is on display. But before you say you know Africa, you should know these facts.
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