Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both aspects. It covers about 30.3 million square kilometers, including several surrounding islands, which equates to about 20% of the Earth's total land area. It is home to over 1.3 billion people, which is about 16% of the global population.
Lying mostly in the eastern hemisphere, Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Africa is comprised of 54 countries, the largest by area being Algeria, and the most populous being Nigeria. The continent is known for its rich cultural history and biodiversity. Africa houses the world's largest desert, the Sahara, and the world's longest river, the Nile. It also has various climates ranging from tropical rainforests to arid deserts.
The African continent is most richly endowed with natural resources such as oil, diamonds, gold, iron, cobalt, uranium, copper, bauxite, silver, petroleum, and cocoa beans, but it is also the world's poorest and most underdeveloped continent in terms of human development, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy, and lack of basic public services.
Africa's economy includes trade, industry, and agriculture with some regions being heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for about 15% of Africa's GDP. It's also renowned for its unique wildlife and for being a popular tourist destination because of its numerous wildlife parks and natural beauty. Several African countries are also known for their cultural expressions such as dance, music, and visual art which shape the culture and heritage of various communities.
In terms of governance, Africa presents a mix of government systems ranging from democracies, one-party systems, monarchies, and military regimes. The continent is also famously known for its history marked by colonialism where European powers colonized nearly all of the continent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.