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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England to acclimatise for the World Cup in South Africa by... going to a training camp in Austria - good plan
adamheath (Adam Heath) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:02:26 -0000
England to acclimatise for the World Cup in South Africa by... going to a training camp in Austria - good plan
#wine The Journey's End Range from South Africa (source: Spittoonbiz): "Journey's End Estate is a stunning boutique... http://bit.ly/4Z8SfM
discoverwine (Discover Wine) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:02:16 -0000
#wine The Journey's End Range from South Africa (source: Spittoonbiz): "Journey's End Estate is a stunning boutique... http://bit.ly/4Z8SfM
The Journey's End Range from South Africa (source: Spittoonbiz): "Journey's End Estate is a stunning boutique wi... http://chilp.it/40ba1c
winesatori (Wine Satori) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:02:15 -0000
The Journey's End Range from South Africa (source: Spittoonbiz): "Journey's End Estate is a stunning boutique wi... http://chilp.it/40ba1c
Tensions grow as US heightens role in Yemen http://ow.ly/T9pg #yemen #us #news #state #africa #eritrea #redsea
EYpages (EritreanYellow Pages) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:02:05 -0000
Tensions grow as US heightens role in Yemen http://ow.ly/T9pg #yemen #us #news #state #africa #eritrea #redsea
Telegraph: South Africa v England: Batsmen can save third Test, says Andy Flower : England .. http://bit.ly/4JkPvX #cricket
_cricket (Cricket tweets) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:02:04 -0000
Telegraph: South Africa v England: Batsmen can save third Test, says Andy Flower : England .. http://bit.ly/4JkPvX #cricket
S. Africa readies for World Cup http://ff.im/dQZDu
cnninchinese (cnninchinese) Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:01:41 -0000
S. Africa readies for World Cup http://ff.im/dQZDu

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