Top 7 interesting facts about Africa

Africa is one of the most amazing continents on Earth. It is the birthplace of humankind, home to an astonishing variety of wildlife roaming its vast savannas and a global leader in both gold and diamond production. One could list interesting facts about Africa endlessly, but we have selected the 7 most curious facts that will reveal the world's hottest continent to you from a new perspective. 

Key facts about Africa

Continent size: Second largest in the world, covering 30,365,000 km² (11,724,000 mi²).

Approximate population: Over 1,528,488,000 as of the time of writing. You can track the dynamic population changes here.

Largest city: Cairo, Egypt. As of 2024, the population of Greater Cairo is 22,624,000.

Largest country: Algeria – 2,381,741 km² (919,595 mi²) in North Africa.

Longest river: Nile – 6,650 km (4,130 mi).

Largest lake: Victoria – 68,800 km² (26,564 mi²) in eastern Africa.

Largest desert: The Sahara Desert, covering approximately 9,200,000 km² (3,600,000 mi²), stretches across northern Africa, making it the world's largest desert.

Tallest mountain: Kilimanjaro in Tanzania – 5,895 meters (19,341 ft).

1. Over 25% of the world’s languages are spoken in Africa

The first amazing fact about Africa: its people use approximately 2,000 languages, accounting for more than 25% of the world’s living languages. (UNESCO estimates there are about 7,000 languages globally, though this number fluctuates.) According to Ethnologue,Languages of the World is a respected reference work that updates official statistics on world languages annually. It first appeared in 1951 and remains the most comprehensive source of information on this topic. in Tanzania alone, people speak 122 languages. One of those 122 is institutional, meaning it is used and supported by institutions beyond the home and community. We’re talking about Swahili, which is taught in schools as the primary language.
In Tanzania, 76 stable languages are currently in use. While these languages are not supported by official institutions, they remain common in informal communication. Additionally, 43 languages are on the verge of extinction, and two are already considered extinct.

The most widely spoken language across African countries is Arabic. In addition to Arabic and Swahili, the continent is home to numerous other languages, often referred to as isolated languages. These are primarily spoken within specific ethnic groups. A good example is the Hadza language. It is notable for its unique consonants, which are pronounced with characteristic clicking sounds.

2. The African continent is the “Cradle of Humankind”

Scientists agree that Africa is the birthplace of hominids (Lat. Hominidae), an ancient family of primates believed to be the ancestors of modern humans. Some archaeological artifacts found during excavations in various parts of the continent provide every reason to believe that human ancestors lived here about 4,000,000 years ago or more.

For example, the famous Olduvai Gorge, located only 150 kilometers (about 93 mi) from the city of Arusha in Tanzania, is often referred to today as the “Cradle of Mankind.” Here, the remains of human ancestors and their tools were discovered — they date back about 2,000,000 years.

Olduvai Gorge is not the only site in Africa where ancient artifacts have been uncovered. For example, South Africa's Gauteng province has revealed over 500 remains from its caves. Excavations began in the late 1890s during limestone mining operations and have continued to this day.

A particularly sensational discovery occurred in April 1947 when archaeologists unearthed the skull of “Mrs. Ples,” a fully preserved skull of a female Australopithecus from the Pliocene epoch.The Pliocene is the epoch that began 5.333 million years ago and ended 2.588 million years ago. Its age has been estimated at between 2.6 and 2.8 million years.
One of the most famous discoveries occurred in Ethiopia’s Afar region between 1972 and 1974. Researchers uncovered several hundred fragments of a skeleton belonging to a female Australopithecus, nicknamed “Lucy." She is estimated to have lived 3,200,000 years ago. This was the first nearly complete skeleton of its kind ever found. The name “Lucy” was inspired by The Beatles’ song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which was playing on the radio during the discovery. Many years later, Luc Besson named the main character of his movie “Lucy” in her honor.

3. Basic math may have existed in Africa 25,000 years ago

The hypothesis that basic arithmetic originated in Africa 25,000 years ago arose from the discovery of a remarkable artifact — the Ishango bone. This tool, carved from a baboon fibula, features notches grouped into distinct columns. It was found in 1950 in the Ishango region, Central Africa, near Lake Edward in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Archaeologists initially estimated the tool’s age to be over 9,000 years old. However, using modern radiocarbon dating technologies, scientists determined it to be approximately 25,000 years old.

The notches on the Ishango bone are arranged in three columns, suggesting clear mathematical patterns. Some researchers speculate that this ancient “calculator” might have been used by women to track menstrual cycles, while others believe it could have served as a primitive logarithmic ruler.

To be fair, not everyone agrees with this interpretation. Some scholars argue that the notches were simply meant to improve grip, with no connection to arithmetic. Whether this artifact represents an early form of mathematics remains an open question.

4. Africa has the youngest population in the world

Another fascinating fact about Africa is its youthful population—more than half of its inhabitants are under the age of 20. In comparison, the global median age is 30. The median age divides a population into two equal groups: half are older, and half are younger.

This makes Africa the youngest continent in the world. However, many of the reasons behind this phenomenon are negative: low living standards, unstable economies, poor healthcare systems, and high levels of emigration to more developed countries all contribute to Africa’s demographic profile. This is especially pronounced in sub-Saharan African countries.

Experts predict that Africa’s youth population will continue to grow, increasing by 181.4% by 2100. In contrast, Europe’s youth population is expected to shrink by 21.4%, and Asia’s by 27.7%.

5. The African continent boasts remarkable biodiversity

Africa hosts an extraordinary diversity of wild animals, including iconic and endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. It is second only to South America. There are about 90 species of even-toed ungulates alone in Africa, and over 2,000 species of freshwater fish — more than on any other continent. Remarkably, over 25% of the world's bird species call Africa home.

Tanzania is home to the legendary “Big Five” animals: elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards, and lions. It also has the largest population of wild lions in the world, numbering about 14,500. Other iconic species include zebras, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, chimpanzees, and an extraordinary variety of primates. This list could go on indefinitely.

Tanzania has protected areas where many of these wild animals thrive. You can easily spot the “Big Five” in Serengeti National Park or the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

An interesting fact about Africa: The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena. This event occurs across the plains of East Africa, within the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem stretching from northern Tanzania to southern Kenya. Millions of wildebeests, along with hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles, migrate together, covering about 1,000 kilometers (~600 miles). This cycle continues year-round, always moving clockwise. It is a breathtaking spectacle visible even from space.

Despite its remarkable biodiversity, Africa’s wildlife remains under serious threat. According to WWF’s Living Planet Report for 2024, global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73%, while in Africa, the decline is even higher at 76%. These alarming figures, covering the period from 1970 to 2020, result from habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution in most African countries.

6. There are penguins in Africa

Here’s a fun fact that not many people know — but it’s absolutely true: penguins do live in Africa. Today, their small colony inhabits the coast at the tip of southern Africa and the nearby islands. Unfortunately, the species is on the brink of extinction.

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the Cape penguin or South African penguin, is typically small to medium in size, standing about 60–70 cm (about 24–28 in). Like all other penguins, this species does not fly. Instead, it features characteristic pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask.

One intriguing story about African penguins involves the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias.Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450–1500) was a Portuguese navigator and explorer. In 1488, he became the first European to round the southern tip of Africa, paving the way for a sea route between Europe and Asia. When he and his crew arrived at the southern tip of Africa, they became the first Europeans to see these aquatic birds. As Portuguese Catholics, they were forbidden from eating meat on Fridays but allowed to eat fish. Dias cleverly classified penguins as “fish” because they couldn’t fly and spent most of their time swimming. This decision allowed the crew to catch and eat penguins guilt-free any day of the week.

7. Africa leads in gold and diamond mining

Africa dominates global exports of precious metals and minerals. The continent is a major producer of uranium for the nuclear industry, platinum for jewelry, and nickel and cobalt for rechargeable batteries — key components in smartphones and laptops.

However, Africa’s two most valuable resources are gold and diamonds. The continent accounts for roughly 65% of the world’s diamond production by value, while South Africa’s Witwatersrand region remains the largest gold producer and the most famous gold deposit globally.

Unfortunately, diamond mining in Africa has sparked numerous armed conflicts and civil wars. For this reason, diamonds from such regions are often referred to as "blood diamonds."

In 2003, the UN introduced the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to prevent the proceeds of diamond mining from funding conflicts and terrorist groups. While KPCS has reduced the trade in blood diamonds, issues related to human rights abuses in Africa's labor force and environmental degradation remain unresolved.

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