Billion Facts, Mysteries & Curiosities

African Population: 700 million  (Population Statistics for Sub Saharan Africa)
Birthrate Per 1000: 41
Percentage of people under 15 years old: 45
Countries with lowest life expectancy: Malawi & Zambia, 37 years old

Considered by most scientists to be the origin of mankind, Africa is a continent of 53 independent countries and a rich mix of native peoples, cultures, economies and history. Almost completely encircled by water, its home to vast deserts, tropical rain forests, rugged mountains and fertile grasslands. Its National Parks, wildlife preserves, and incredible natural beauty attract an ever-increasing number of tourists from around the globe. Yet despite its natural wealth and beauty, Africa includes the fifteen least developed nations in the world, 70% of its population survives on less than $2 a day, disease and famine continue to kill millions of its people each year, and even the most basic education is denied to a large percentage of its children. It is the Second Largest Continent, Almost an Island, Shortest Coastline, Three fourths in Tropics, Fifty-four Countries, 748 Million People, 1,000 Languages.