Africa is the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. At about 30,221,532 km including adjacent islands, it covers 6.0% of the Earth's total surface area, and 20.4% of the total land area. The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. There are 46 countries including Madagascar, and 53 including all the island groups.

With a history of human habitation that begins with the oldest known ancestors of man, the continent's cultural wealth easily matches its natural attractions. Known as a home to enormous mountains, tropical rainforest, grassy savanas, three large deserts, the worlds biggest swamp and the worlds longest river. In general the culture is rich, unique and diverse with great craftsmanship, magical tribal dancing and fabulous musicians. Its the continent that has almost all the worlds scarcest and most precious minerals.