7 Facts You Haven't Heard About the African Continent

Africa, the world's second-largest continent in terms of land area and population density, is one of the most diverse and colorful continents on Earth, covering an area of 30.8 million square kilometers and hosting a population of 1 billion people. Located on both sides of the equator, Africa features a wide range of climate zones and is the only continent to span both hemispheres, making it home to fascinating plant and animal life. Here are some interesting facts about this continent, which is known for its natural beauty and hosts numerous wildlife documentaries.

1- The San people, also known as the Bushmen, have been living in the Kalahari Desert, adjacent to Botswana and Namibia, for at least 22,000 years, maintaining a lifestyle reminiscent of the cave era. The government has protected this indigenous population and their habitat with special laws.

2- The world's oldest university is the University of al-Qarawiyyin, located in Fes, Morocco, in North Africa, and it continues to provide education to this day. Founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859, this university has a rich history.

3- One-third of all the world's languages are spoken in Africa. With over 2,000 languages spoken on the continent, this accounts for more than 25% of the world's languages. South Africa alone has 11 official languages, and the continent is often referred to as the "Rainbow Nation."

4- Approximately 80% of Africa's land is not suitable for agriculture. Currently, agriculture is practiced on only 0.25% of the continent's land, while forested areas make up just 1% of the total land area.

5- Kilimanjaro National Park, located within Tanzania's borders, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering an expanse of 1,688 square kilometers on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, this park is one of the region's most famous tourist destinations.

6- Nearly half of the world's gold is extracted from a single location, the Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa.

7- The Nile River in Africa holds the title of the world's longest river, stretching approximately 6,650 kilometers in length.