Africa is the second largest continent on the Earth. Africa has a diverse range of mineral resources, including some of the world’s largest reserves of fossil fuels, metallic ores and gems and precious metals.
Surface area: 30,365,000 km2
Location: Surrounds the equatorial line and the Eastern hemisphere
Major countries: Algeria, Congo, Kenya, Namibia, Sudan and South Africa
Important physical features:
♦ The highest point of Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro (elevation above sea level: 19,341 feet)
♦ World’s largest desert: The Great Sahara desert (area: 9,065,000 km2)
♦ The East African Rift System and diverse wildlife in the vast forests
♦ Mountains: Atlas mountain range in northwestern Africa
♦ Rivers: Nile, Congo Niger
Major languages: Yoruba, Hausa and Swahili