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Africa is the world's second-largest continent in both
area and population, after Asia.
At c. 30,244,050 km (11,677,240 mi) including the islands,
it covers 20.3% of the total land area on Earth, and with over 800 million
human inhabitants it accounts for around one seventh 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, where the Roman province
of Africa was located. The origin of Afer may be the Phoenician `afar,
dust; the Afridi tribe, who dwelt in Northern Africa around the area
of Carthage; Greek aphrike, without cold; or Latin aprica, sunny.
History
Africa is home to the oldest inhabited territory on
earth, and it is believed the human race originated from what is now
this continent.
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For most of humanity's history, Africa (and all other
continents) had no nation states, and was instead inhabited by many
small, loosely associated tribal groups, kingdoms, and families; while
Egypt was probably the first nation state ever formed, much of sub-Saharan
Africa, with the exception of Ethiopia and the Nubian kingdom, remained
effectively nation-state-less until quite recently. 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 gradually obtained formal independence. Today, Africa
is home to over 50 independent countries, many of which still have borders
drawn during the era of European colonialism.
Religion
Africans profess a wide variety of religious beliefs.
The two most widespread religious communities of Africa, Christianity
and Islam, have their roots in Southwest Asia, and approximately 40%
of all Africans are Christians and another 40% Muslims. Some Africans
(in Ethiopia and Egypt) adopted Christianity in the early centuries
of the Christian Era - before most of Europe. However, Christianity
was introduced to most of western and southern Africa by European missionaries
or settlers during the colonial period.
Islam largely arrived in Africa through the Arab conquest
of the north, and later diffusion through the Sahara desert into the
interior of Africa. Some Muslim communities were also established by
seafarers on the eastern coast of Africa. Muslims were also among the
Asian peoples who settled in British-ruled Africa.
Roughly 20% of Africans follow indigenous African religions.
A small number of Africans also have beliefs from the Judaic tradition
(Falashas, Lemba).
Languages
There are four major language families native to Africa.
