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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Cult scene: New Zealand and Africa: "Medication" by Andrew Brandou, from his Jonestown paintings .. http://bit.ly/33giw4 (@BoingBoing)
ByeBitch (BB - No Doctorow) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:43 -0000
Cult scene: New Zealand and Africa: "Medication" by Andrew Brandou, from his Jonestown paintings .. http://bit.ly/33giw4 (@BoingBoing)
#thingsracistssay Look what's happened in Africa since we gave them independence...
BillyNoJob (Billy No-Job) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:41 -0000
#thingsracistssay Look what's happened in Africa since we gave them independence...
@N21Guy I say in 35 languages #WednesdayGiveAway Gabriel from South Africa
gpleroux (Gabe Gawie Le Roux) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:40 -0000
@N21Guy I say in 35 languages #WednesdayGiveAway Gabriel from South Africa
You'd think Europeans would arrive in North Africa first. Nope. They started on the Southern tip...
pieandhotdogs (Jon Crews) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:39 -0000
You'd think Europeans would arrive in North Africa first. Nope. They started on the Southern tip...
@DonnieWahlberg Goodmorning darling! HUMP for you from AFRICA my love...
imeechan (Imelda Tjahja) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:37 -0000
@DonnieWahlberg Goodmorning darling! HUMP for you from AFRICA my love...
Can we Americans stop & think abt things we say & do that probably offend those in other countries before we start railing on South Africa?
djbrainchild (Mr. Johnson) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:34:35 -0000
Can we Americans stop & think abt things we say & do that probably offend those in other countries before we start railing on South Africa?

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