Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30,300,000 km² (11,700,000 mi²) including adjacent islands, it covers 5.9% of the Earth's total surface area, and 20.3% of the total land area.[Sayre, April Pulley. (1999) Africa, Twenty-First Century Books. ISBN 0-7613-1367-2.] With more than 840,000,000 people (as of 2005) in 61 territories, it accounts for more than 12% of the world's human population.
Etymology
The name
Africa came into Western use through the
Romans, who used the name
Africa terra — "land of the Afri" (plural, or "
Afer" singular) — for the northern part of the continent, as the
province of Africa with its capital
Carthage, corresponding to modern-day
Tunisia.
The Afri were a tribe — possibly Berber — who dwelt in North Africa in the Carthage area. The origin of Afer may be connected with Phoenician `afar, dust (also found in most other Semitic languages). Some other etymologies that have been postulated for the ancient name 'Africa' that are much more debatable include:
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Daily Photo added to Photo-Africa. Check out 'African Sunset' http://www.photo-africa.com #photog #africa #sunset #travel
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@ScottMcGrory I'm sure Bike rage is never an issue..lol ...(re interview w/ Casey Munro South Africa Story) http://www.ozcycling.com/homeMulloLive (Live Cycling Webcast) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:16:27 -0000
@ScottMcGrory I'm sure Bike rage is never an issue..lol ...(re interview w/ Casey Munro South Africa Story) http://www.ozcycling.com/home
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