Amazing Facts About Africa for Kids

Traveling to Africa on a safari vacation is becoming increasingly popular. More and more people discover how much fun it is to get away from it all, relax in a different culture, and witness incredible wildlife while on vacation. On a safari in Africa, you’ll have the opportunity to visit some of Earth’s most beautiful places, including places like the Serengeti National Park, the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, the Okavango Delta, the Zanzibar archipelago, the Victoria Falls, the Great Rift Valley, and the Malaria region, among other places. While you’re out exploring, don’t forget to pay a visit to one of Africa’s numerous game reserves. A few incredible facts about Africa that your children will undoubtedly enjoy learning about are included below.

Geography and Landscape of Africa

There are three particular facts about Africa concerning geography, ecosystems, biodiversity, and human ecology-

• Africa is the second-largest continent.
• It is divided into eight major geographical regions: the Sahara, the Sahel, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Savanna, the Swahili Coast, the rainforest, the African Great Lakes, and southern Africa.
• The continent encompasses 30.3 million square kilometers, or 6 percent of the planet’s surface area and 20 percent of its land area.
• Plateaus, mountains, ridges, and basins link Africa’s major rivers and depressions together in a web of connectivity. It’s a narrow valley with a steep incline.

History of Africa

Consider some of these history facts about Africa:

• The development of various civilizations throughout Africa’s documented history following the advent of Egyptian civilization in the fourth millennium BC was a feature of the continent’s documented history that extended far beyond the Nile Valley.
• According to Africa’s ancient Kemetic predecessors, the continent was known as Alkebulan (Land of the Lions). Alkebu-Ian is the sole indigenous word that has been in use for thousands of years and is still used now. Depending on your perspective, the name alkebulan relates to Eden’s garden or the first human mother.
• Most scholars assume that the term “Africa” derives from the Roman ‘Afri,’ which refers to regions of Tunisia and Northern Algeria almost two thousand years ago and is still in use today.

People and Cultural Facts About Africa

Indigenous people in Africa include a diverse range of groups such as:

• The Pygmies of Central Africa, nomadic pastoralists such as the Maasai and Samburu of East Africa, the San of Southern Africa, the Amazigh (Berbers) of North Africa, and the Sahel are examples of hunter-gatherer forest people.
• Six African tribes with African cultural customs have been identified, including the Bantu-speaking tribes.
• They belong to the Maasai ethnic group of Kenya and Tanzania.
• Located in Namibia’s northwest region, the Himba people are a nomadic group.
• Zulu people are a group of people of the Nguni ethnic group in Southern Africa.
• Known as San or Khoisan, a Bushman belongs to a tribe of people in Southern Africa.
• It is believed that the Ndebele are an ethnic group from South Africa.
• The Samburu are a tribe of people who live in Northern Kenya.

Wildlife of Africa

Africa is a refuge for a wide array of wild animals, many of which are threatened with extinction. This nation is home to various creatures, including some of the most well-known fauna in human culture. Let’s check out concerning facts about African animals and the common wildlife found there:

• Lions
• Rhinoceros
• Giraffes
• Antelope
• Hippos
• Leopards
• Zebras
• African elephants
• The African elephant is an ape-like creature that is the largest terrestrial animal alive today.
• With a body length of nearly six meters, the Nile crocodile is Africa’s largest reptile.
• The Goliath frog is the world’s giant living frog and the largest species of frog.
• The ostrich is the world’s largest living bird.

Food Facts About Africa

Several well-known African cuisines have acquired global acclaim over time. We’ll look at ten little-known African food facts:

• Among the most popular fruits in Africa are bananas, apricots, and coconuts, which are also among the most nutritious. Watermelon is the most widely consumed fruit.
• Many of the most popular African dishes are based on meat or meat products, which indicates that Africa consumes a diverse range of meats and meat products. The inclusion of meat in meals is commonplace. Meats such as fish, beef, chicken, and mutton are commonplace.
• Africans are the most skilled at growing organic foods. Many of the most widely consumed plants can be found in the soils of African countries. Among the most popular vegetables in Africa are potatoes, okra, and yams, to name a few.
• The use of distinctive spices distinguishes African cuisine. Traditionally, they are added to a variety of traditional dishes to give them unique African flavors. Everything from vegetables to meats incorporates spices to varying degrees in their preparations.
• Peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, and copra are the most common nuts found in Africa, with walnuts and pecans coming in second and third place, respectively. Nuts are a popular healthy snack in Africa, and for a good reason.
• Flan is a type of dessert that is very popular in the Philippines, especially among the young. For flavor and texture, flan is an African (and Latin American) dessert similar to crème caramel in both taste and appearance. There is a special recipe for every region, and each person prepares it in a slightly different way depending on where they live.
• Sofrito is a traditional African sauce and dish served during specific seasons in the country of its origin. The Africans, who are particularly fond of flan, have perfected their own versions of the traditional dish. Green peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and cilantro leaves are some of the ingredients in this dish, including other vegetables.
• Aside from the continent of Africa, Jollof Rice is the most well-known African dish outside of the continent. Rice is a widely consumed food worldwide due to the ease with which you can prepare it.
• Chambo is considered one of South Africa’s most delectable dishes, and it’s easy to see why. It is derived from a fish found in the Lake Malawi region.
• Cultivated cereal grains are widely consumed throughout Africa, owing to their low production costs and widespread availability.

Interesting Places to Visit in Africa

Every country in Africa has a unique topography, ecology, culture, and activities. Check them some of the interesting locations in Africa for travelers:

• Uganda is one of the only three countries where mountain gorillas can be seen in the wild.
• There is a lot of mixing between Kenya and Tanzania. Two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle make their way from Kenya’s Masa Mara to Tanzania’s Serengeti in a loop; many people believe Kenya and Tanzania to be among the best places to visit in Africa.
• Zambia and Zimbabwe have magnificent Victoria Falls, i.e., worth visiting. The Zambezi River, home to crocodiles and hippos, floats in the wild.
• Dunes tower across Namibia, making it one of the world’s most deserted countries. Namibia is one of the best African countries to visit because of the breathtaking scenery.
• Botswana has fewer visitors than much of East Africa, yet the resorts here are spectacular.
• Whether it’s shark cage diving or malaria-free safari zones, South Africa has it all. Durban, an Indian-influenced enclave on the coast of Africa, offers a unique culinary experience.
• It’s on many people’s bucket lists to visit Egypt, see the pyramids, and sail down the Nile. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the pyramids and the Sphinx from so close.
• Visit the world-famous spice market in Rabat, Morocco, and get a taste of the Arab life.

Other Fun Facts About Africa for Children

Let’s check out ten cool facts about the continent:

1. Between 1250 and 3000 indigenous languages are spoken across Africa, according to estimates.
2. The Greeks referred to the continent as ‘Libya,’ while the Romans referred to it as ‘Africa.’ The continent was divided into two parts. Some believe that the word “Africa” was derived from the Latin word “aprica,” which means “sunny.”
3. The Karueein Institution is an African institution that takes great pride as it is the oldest university in the world.
4. The Sahara Desert, located in South Africa, is the world’s largest and hottest desert, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius.
5. It is also the site of the world’s highest bungee jumping sport.
6. Arid land covers more than 60% of the country’s land area, including desert and arid terrain.
7. Algiers is the most populous country in Africa, followed by the Seychelles Republic as the second-most populous country.
8. Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake and the source of the Nile River, is located in this region.
9. Because it is considered the home of the first human beings, approximately 5-10 million years ago, the continent of Africa has acquired the label of the “cradle of humanity.”
10. In addition to being Nigeria’s most populated metropolis, Lagos is also the country’s commercial capital, with around 20 million people.

Most of the time, when people think of a continent, they don’t think of a specific country. If you want to learn more about Africa, make a note of this page in your favorites! These cool African facts will make everyone curious about other cultural and historical aspects of the continent.

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