Africas

Africas is not a standard geographic term. In some academic and cultural writings the plural form is used to emphasize regional diversity within the continent or to refer to the African diaspora. In official geography, Africa is treated as a single continent divided into regions.

Geographically, Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent, spanning about 30.3 million square kilometers. It comprises 54 recognized sovereign states and two disputed territories, with a population estimated around 1.4 billion in the early 2020s, a median age much younger than the global average.

Regional diversity is commonly described in five broad areas: Northern, Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. Africa is home to hundreds of languages; major language families include Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan. Official languages include Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Swahili among others, while linguae francae such as Swahili and Hausa facilitate interregional communication.

Economies vary widely, from resource-rich extractive sectors to diversified services. The continent hosts the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and numerous regional blocs. Agriculture remains a major activity, while growing urbanization supports manufacturing and digital services.

Historically, Africa is the cradle of multiple ancient civilizations and empires. The modern political landscape was shaped by colonization and the subsequent wave of independence movements in the mid-20th century. Today, governance and development challenges are addressed by regional organizations such as the African Union.

Environmental diversity ranges from deserts and savannas to tropical rainforests. The Congo Basin hosts one of the world’s largest tropical forests; the Sahel and the Sahara define northern climates. Climate change, habitat loss, and desertification pose ongoing threats, alongside pressures from population growth and urban expansion.

Culturally, Africa presents immense diversity in arts, music, cuisine, and social traditions, influencing global culture through the African diaspora in the Americas, Europe, and beyond.