Africa boasts perhaps the world's largest combination of density and diversity of wild animal populations.
The continent is known for its rich wildlife, including large carnivores like lions and cheetahs, herbivores like elephants and giraffes, as well as a variety of jungle animals and aquatic animals.

One etymological hypothesis proposes that the ancient name "Africa" may have originated from the Phoenician word "faraqa" in the sense of 'colony, separation.' This hypothesis suggests a Phoenician connection to the name.

Portugal's overseas presence in sub-Saharan Africa, including countries such as Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, and São Tomé and Príncipe, lasted until 1975.
The Estado Novo regime, which governed Portugal, was overthrown in a military coup, leading to the independence of these territories.

Kilwa and Sofala were prominent city-states along the Swahili coast of Southeast Africa known for their thriving trade.
These city-states played a significant role in the Indian Ocean trade network, serving as important hubs for the exchange of goods between Africa, Arabia, India, and beyond.
They were centers of commerce, culture, and Islamic learning.

South Africa have three national capitals.

Niger-Congo speakers domesticated the oil palm and raffia palm between 9,000 and 5,000 BCE.
They also domesticated other crops like black-eyed peas, voandzeia (African groundnuts), okra, and kola nuts.

The Order of the Nile (Kiladat El Nil) is Egypt's highest state honor. The award was instituted in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel to be awarded by Egypt for exceptional services to the nation. It was reconstituted under the Arab Republic of Egypt on 18 June 1953.

It consists of the Grand Cordon, plus a Collar which is worn by the President of the Republic and may be granted to other Heads of State. Although the junior grades (Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight) were originally documented, they are not believed to still be awarded and may have been abolished. In the Kingdom of Egypt the Order of the Nile ranked beneath the Order of Ismail.

The Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It is commonly regarded as the longest river in the world, though other conflicting sources cite a 2007 study that gave the title to the Amazon River in South America. The Nile, which is 6,853 km (4,258 miles) long, is an "international" river as its drainage basin covers eleven countries, namely, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt. In particular, the Nile is the primary water source of Egypt and Sudan.

Africa is heavily affected by desertification, which refers to the process of fertile land turning into desert due to various factors such as climate change, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

Christianity became the state religion of the Aksumite Empire by 340 CE.
The spread of Christianity in this region was facilitated by Syro-Greek missionaries and had a lasting impact on the cultural and religious landscape of North Africa.