Friday, May 28, 2010

Did you know?

Some facts and figures from Africa...


Africa, second-largest of the Earth's seven continents - covering about 30,330,000 sq km (11,699,000 sq mi), which makes up about 22 per cent of the world's total land area.

Largest Country
Sudan, Republic of, republic in north-eastern Africa, the largest country of the African continent. Sudan has a total area of 2,505,800 sq km (967,490 sq mi).


Smallest Country
The smallest African country is The Seychelles covering an area of 453 sq km but Gambia is the smallest of the mainland African states, covering an area of 11,300 sq km (4,363 sq mi).


Largest City
Egypt's capital city, Cairo, is the largest city in Africa with an estimated 9.2 million population


Highest Point
Mount Kilimanjaro - Uhuru Point - (5895m/19,340 ft) in Tanzania


Lowest Point
the lowest is Lake 'Asal (153 m/502 ft below sea level) in Djibouti

Northernmost tip
is Cape Blanc (Ra's al Abyad;) in Tunisia

Southernmost tip
is Cape Agulhas in South Africa

Culture
Ancient Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone.

Beer
Apart from Muslim nations, Ghana has the lowest per capita consumption of beer in Africa, yet its brewery industry is one of the most competitive

Weddings
Did you know that in Africa it is almost impossible to hold a small wedding? The idea of a private wedding is unknown and is greatly frowned upon. Friends and relatives expect to be invited to a wedding and to play a role in the ceremony.




Health
Malaria
90% of all malaria cases are in sub-Saharan Africa
3,000 children under the age of five die each day from malaria in Africa
1-5% of GDP in Africa covers costs of malaria control and lost labour days

Did you know, that Africa would have been an estimated US $100 billion better off in 1999 if malaria had been eliminated years ago?

Aids
17 million people in sub-Saharan Africa have died of AIDS

At least 25 million people in Africa are HIV-positive.

12 million children who have lost their parents to AIDS face a precarious future.


Hospitals
The world's biggest hospital is in Soweto, named Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, it has 2,964 beds.

Misc
Diamonds
The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless colour and clarity. They now form part of the British crown jewels.


Windmills
Did you know there are about 280 000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia?


Most Populated Country
With a population of more than 113 million, Nigeria is easily the most populated country in Africa and the 10th most populous country in the world.



I hope you enjoyed these facts, and learned a few things about this huge and interesting continent of AFRICA.

I wish you all a Fabulous Friday and Wonderful Weekend!
Mireille

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I love it. I learned things I did not know. Thanks for putting this together. Would you mind if i stole this post and gave credit to you on my blog. I have been so bad about updating mine. Thanks. I love the map and would like to use it on FB. Let me know.Thanks.

Mandy said...

What a fantastic post Mireille! I knew a little bit about what you've put up here but it was certainly a learning experience too. Lovely!

Mireille said...

Kirk, your profile is not available?? Yes you may use this on your blog if you link it to my blog. What is your blog?

Maci Miller said...

Great to learn so much about Africa through you!

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