Africa

Africa (ăf'rĭ-kə)

Africa (pronounced ăf'rĭ-kə) is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. The name Africa came via Latin Africa terra, which means "land of the Afri". The term is of uncertain etymology, but several theories have been proposed over the years.

Etymology

The name Africa is of Latin origin, specifically from the term Africa terra, which translates to "land of the Afri". The Afri were a group of tribes who lived in North Africa near Carthage (modern-day Tunisia). Some etymologists suggest that the term may come from the Phoenician word afar, meaning "dust", but this is not universally accepted.

Geography

Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Red Sea to the northeast, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. It is the only continent to stretch from the northern temperate to southern temperate zones. Africa hosts a large diversity of ethnicities, cultures, and languages.

Demographics

As of 2020, the population of Africa is estimated at 1.3 billion, accounting for about 16% of the world's human population. Africa's population is the youngest amongst all the continents, with a median age of 19.7 in 2012.

Health

Health in Africa varies greatly between countries and regions. The continent faces numerous health challenges, from infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, to non-communicable diseases like cancer and heart disease. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in improving health outcomes in Africa over the past few decades.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Africa
Wikipedia's article - Africa

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