Essential Facts and Geography of the African Continent

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 in Geography

African Continent: Essential Geography and Demographics

Geographical Extremes and Coordinates

  • Northernmost Point: White Cape, Tunisia
  • Southernmost Point: Cape Agulhas, South Africa
  • Westernmost Point: Green Cape (Cap Vert), Senegal
  • Easternmost Point: Cape Hafun, Somalia

Major Geographical Features

Climatic Zones and Tropics

Two major tropics pass through Africa:

  • North: Tropic of Cancer
  • South: Tropic of Capricorn

Deserts and Rivers

  • Northern Deserts: Sahara, Libyan, Nubian
  • Southern Deserts: Kalahari, Namib
  • Longest River: The Nile
  • Widest River: The Congo River

Continental Divisions

Africa is separated from neighboring continents by key waterways:

  • Separating Europe from Africa: Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Gibraltar
  • Separating Asia from Africa: Suez Canal, Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Gulf of Aden

Population and Settlement Patterns

  • Total Population: Approximately 1.4 billion people (17% of the world’s population)
  • Median Age: 19 years (making it the youngest continent)
  • Distribution: Unevenly distributed across the continent.
  • Urbanization: Low (Africa is the least urbanized continent).
  • Settlement Trend: Most people live in rural areas and villages, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Economic Factors and Livelihoods

  • Workforce in Agriculture: 60% of the workforce is engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing.
  • Main Source of Income: Agriculture.
  • Influencing Factors of Settlement and Living: Soil fertility, climate, distribution of water, and altitude.

Population Density Regions

  • Densely Populated Regions: Nile Valley, West Africa, River Deltas, Great African Lakes region.
  • Sparsely Populated Regions: Deserts, rainforests, major mountain ranges, and parts of the Sahel.

Political Structure and Key Countries

South Africa (RSA) Capital Functions

South Africa utilizes three capital cities, each serving a distinct function:

  • Cape Town: Legislative Capital
  • Pretoria: Executive Capital
  • Bloemfontein: Judicial Capital

Country Statistics

  • Largest Country in North Africa: Algeria
  • Most Developed Country: Republic of South Africa (RSA)

Resources and Economy

Energy and Mining

  • Major Oil Producers (including North Africa): Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt
  • Central Africa Mining: Cobalt mining is significant.

Mineral Wealth

Africa is exceptionally rich in mineral resources:

  • Southern Africa: Gold, Diamonds
  • Democratic Republic of Congo: Diamonds, Cobalt

North African Agriculture

  • Main Crops: Date palm and dates.

Ethnic and Religious Groups

  • Christians: Predominantly found in North, Central, and East Africa.
  • Muslims: Dominant in North Africa and the Sahel region.
  • Europeans: Significant populations in North Africa, South Africa (RSA), and Southern Africa.
  • Arabs & Berbers: Found in Algeria, Egypt, and Syria (Note: Syria is outside Africa).

Historical and Political Leaders

  • Muammar Gaddafi (1969–2011): Leader of Libya. Known for initiatives in healthcare and education.
  • Robert Mugabe: Associated with land ownership policies, healthcare, education, and subsequent economic disaster in Zimbabwe.
  • Nelson Mandela (Elected 1994): Key figure in ending apartheid; first Black president of South Africa; imprisoned 27 years.