Africans

Africans are people connected to the continent of Africa by birth, residence, or descent. Africa is the second-largest and second-most-populous continent, home to immense linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Africans live in all 54 sovereign states on the continent and form a wide-ranging diaspora across the world.

Ethnic and linguistic diversity: Africa is home to hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. The main language families include Afroasiatic, Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Khoisan. Religions vary across regions, including Islam, Christianity, and traditional African beliefs, with regional variations.

History: Human origins are in Africa, and the continent has a long record of civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Nubia, and Axum, as well as later empires such as Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe, and the Ethiopian Empire. The Bantu expansion shaped much of sub-Saharan Africa. In the 19th and 20th centuries, European colonization affected many regions; most African states gained independence in the mid- to late-20th century. Since then, Africa has undergone political, social, and economic changes, alongside enduring challenges and growth.

Society and economy: Africa's economies are diverse, with rich natural resources, urban growth, and rural communities. Contemporary societies address development, governance, education, health, and infrastructure, while preserving and adapting cultural heritage.

Diaspora and organizations: Africans and people of African descent live worldwide, contributing to arts, sciences, and global affairs. Pan-African movements and regional bodies such as the African Union coordinate policy and development across the continent.