{"id":489,"date":"2022-04-13T17:35:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T17:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nicholasidoko.com\/blog\/?p=489"},"modified":"2023-05-17T16:54:22","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T15:54:22","slug":"what-makes-africa-so-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nicholasidoko.com\/blog\/what-makes-africa-so-special\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes Africa So Special?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First, I think it is important for me to start with the fact that Africa is a continent<\/strong>, not a country. I realise this may seem arrogant but with the number of people who still believe that Africa is a country, I simply have to clarify. To those people, a drought in Sudan equals a drought across Africa, and political instability in Libya has the same effect. Africa is a continent made up of 54 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africa stands out among the world’s seven continents as a distinct entity. It has a diverse cultural legacy, abundant natural resources, and spectacular tourism sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts about Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Its name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Scholars are divided on the origin of the name “Africa.” The majority of people believe it comes from Phoenicians, Greeks, and Roman terms. The Egyptian word Afru-ika, which means “Motherland,” the Greek word aphrike, which means “without cold,” and the Latin word aprica, which means “sunny,” are important words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Africa is the world’s second-largest continent (after Asia), covering roughly one-fifth of the planet’s total land area. The Atlantic Ocean borders the continent on the west, the Mediterranean Sea on the north, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean on the east, and the mingling waters of the Atlantic and Indian seas on the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite being the world’s second-largest continent, Africa boasts the world’s smallest coastline. Because there are few inlets and major bays or gulfs, Africa’s coastline is 18,950 miles (30,500 km) long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A number of islands off the coastlines of Africa are linked to the continent. Madagascar, one of the world’s largest islands, is the most significant of these. To the east, Seychelles, Socotra, and other islands; to the southeast, Comoros, Mauritius, R\u00e9union, and other islands; to the southwest, Ascension, St. Helena, and Tristan da Cunha; to the west, Cape Verde, the Bijag\u00f3s Islands, Bioko, and S. Tom\u00e9 and Principe; and to the northwest, the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its climate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The sunny climate of Africa is influenced by a variety of variables. The Equator almost completely divides the continent into two equal halves. As if it were a mirror, climatic zones sit on either side of this line, with tropical wet climates closer to the Equator and more arid climates closer to the tropics. The asymmetrical form of Africa, however, disrupts this climatic harmony. Oceanic influences have a significantly greater impact on the continent’s compact southern section than on the swelling northern section. The northern part of Africa is drier and hotter, whereas the southern half is damp and cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its Agriculture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Climate change has a significant impact on Africa’s agriculture, which is the continent’s single most important economic sector. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the continent’s workforce and accounts for 20 to 60% of each country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The total worth of goods and services generated in a country in a given year is referred to as GDP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tropical wet, savanna, desert, Mediterranean, and highland climatic zones are important agricultural climatic regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Equator, the Gulf of Guinea, and the east Madagascar coast all have tropical wet conditions. Plantains, pineapples, coffee, cocoa, and oil palms are all important crops in Africa’s tropical wet regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of eastern and southern Africa is covered with savannas. Temperatures are cooler and more variable here than they are in tropical wetland areas. In the savanna, the dry season can extend up to six months. Cassava, peanuts, peppers, okra, eggplant, cucumber, and watermelon are all important savanna crops. Millet and sorghum, two of Africa’s most important grain crops, are grown here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desert conditions can be found throughout northern Africa, particularly in the Sahara and Sahel. On the hottest days, temperatures can reach 54 degrees Celsius (130 degrees Fahrenheit) and drop below freezing on the coldest nights. For years, some areas go without rain. Date palms and cotton are important desert crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mediterranean climate can be found along Africa’s northern and southern coasts. The climate in these areas is pleasant, with dry summers and somewhat rainy winters. Figs, olives, oranges, tomatoes, onions, and big vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower are all important crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highland conditions can be found in Africa’s highest elevations, particularly in Ethiopia’s Highlands. The climate here is significantly colder than that of the neighbouring plains. Alfalfa, potatoes, and wheat are all important highland crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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