Africa
Africa - the origins of all humans - maybe? A continent of mystery, danger, and fascinating cultures - definitely. Africa is defined by its Great Rift in its Eastern boundaries, its geotechnical collision zone in the Sinai, it great horizontal deserts such as the Sahara and the Kalahari, its ancient kingdoms in the north marked by Ethiopian and Egyptian ruins, its middle ages exotic and rich kingdoms of Punt, Timbuktu, and what is now known as Zimbabwe. Africa is a compelling expedition of a lifetime for many seasoned travelers. Huge numbers of animals thrive side by side with rapidly growing populations with distinct cultural differences - whether Arab - Muslim, Ethiopian Christian, Ugandan privative animalist religions, and the staunch Dutch reformed Protestants of the Transvaal and Orange Free State.
Africa is staggered by disease outbreaks, mass migration, desertification, civil unrest, failed states, pirates, and war. Africa holds the promise of its natural resources, a cure for AIDS, and hope for the children of the next generation. Africa is defined by horizontal weather and terrain bands that make north and south movement very difficult.
South Africa - once a pariah due to its policy of strict segregation and apartheid policies - is now resoundant with its new freedoms and hope for the future. Diamonds and gold attract the venturesome explorer/traveler with many opportunities to connect in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.
Cellular phones are symbolic of the leapfrog nature of development in Africa. There are distinct variances in technology access from one nation to the next. Black gold is the great gift and wicked burden of Nigeria, Libya and the Sudan - it affects wealth distribution, funds the weapons to enforce continuance of the wealth distribution, and pollutes the land and sea. Last and not least are the myriad dances, songs and rhythms of despair yet hope somewhere between the Pillars of Hercules and the ruins of ancient Carthage. Bottom line - there are sights and experiences that are priceless here - plan, plan, and plan again. You can be exhilarated with the passion and sweeping vistas yet you can suffer the chills of malaria sweats and cry with millions of dispossessed Sudanese caught in a nasty political and cultural war without end. Be careful, plan your Plan B - extraction scheme and do not show your money or force the pace of events. In few places in the world are there such upwellings of possibilities.
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent. At about 30,370,000 sq. km. including adjacent islands. With more than 840 million people in 61 territories, it is 12% of the world's human population.
The climate of Africa ranges from tropical to subarctic on its highest peaks. Its northern half is primarily desert or arid, while its central and southern areas contain both savanna plains and very dense jungle (rainforest) regions. In between, there is a convergence where vegetation patterns such as sahel, and steppe dominate.
Economy - Due largely to the effects of colonialism, corrupt governments and despotism, Africa is the world's poorest inhabited continent.
Languages - by most estimates, Africa contains well over a thousand languages, some have estimated it to be over two thousand languages. Africa is the most polyglot continent in the world. There are four major language families native to Africa: The Afro-Asiatic language family, The Nilo-Saharan language family, The Niger-Congo language family, The Khoisan languages.