Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30,300,000 km² (11,700,000 mi²) including adjacent islands, it covers 5.9% of the Earth's total surface area, and 20.3% of the total land area.Sayre, April Pulley. (1999) Africa, Twenty-First Century Books. ISBN 0-7613-1367-2. With more than 840,000,000 people (as of 2005) in 61 territories, it accounts for more than 12% of the world's human population.

Etymology

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The name Africa came into Western use through the Romans, who used the name Africa terra — "land of the Afri" (plural, or "Afer" singular) — for the northern part of the continent, as the province of Africa with its capital Carthage, corresponding to modern-day Tunisia.

The Afri were a tribe — possibly Berber — who dwelt in North Africa in the Carthage area. The origin of Afer may be connected with Phoenician `afar, dust (also found in most other Semitic languages). Some other etymologies that have been postulated for the ancient name 'Africa' that are much more debatable include:

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RT @UN: Tribal clashes in DR Congo caused over 16,000 civilians to flee their homes http://bit.ly/3dlmyv #UN #news #Africa #DRC
teng_han (Teng Han Tan) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:42:22 -0000
RT @UN: Tribal clashes in DR Congo caused over 16,000 civilians to flee their homes http://bit.ly/3dlmyv #UN #news #Africa #DRC
@KellZoddiac i'm frm west africa and now m livin here 4 studies and m a big fan of yours since day 1. so hope my dream will come true..2 c u
LadyDrey30 (audrey adebo) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:41:03 -0000
@KellZoddiac i'm frm west africa and now m livin here 4 studies and m a big fan of yours since day 1. so hope my dream will come true..2 c u
I read that they've discovered another untouched tribe of pyjamas in Africa.
jonmiddleton (Johnny Cakes) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:38:44 -0000
I read that they've discovered another untouched tribe of pyjamas in Africa.
@janeydunn you are not a demon janey. but stay out of africa just in case. those people are crazy.
sPAMErBIRDIE (Pam (morningdew)) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:38:40 -0000
@janeydunn you are not a demon janey. but stay out of africa just in case. those people are crazy.
While trick-or-treating at SocialVibe.com, I helped provide 36 Gallons of Clean Water for a village in Africa. http://bit.ly/WAqCQ
estiu2000 (Kiki ) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:38:19 -0000
While trick-or-treating at SocialVibe.com, I helped provide 36 Gallons of Clean Water for a village in Africa. http://bit.ly/WAqCQ
@hannahempire You better =P wait.... what date are you africa-ing? i know you told me but i forgot...
CaitEmpire (Cait Ball) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:37:15 -0000
@hannahempire You better =P wait.... what date are you africa-ing? i know you told me but i forgot...

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