Africa, the second largest of the earth's seven continents, covering about 30,330,000 sq km (about 11,699,000 sq mi), including its adjacent islands. It comprises about 22 percent of the world's total land area. In 1990 about 12 percent of the world's population, an estimated 642 million people, lived in Africa, making it the world's second-most populous continent after Asia. Straddling the equator, Africa stretches 8050 km (4970 mi) from its northernmost point, Ra's al Abyad (Cape Blanc) in Tunisia, to its southernmost tip, …showed first 75 words of 763 total…

…showed last 75 words of 763 total…rhythms have influenced Western popular music! styles such as jazz, blues, and rock (see Jazz: Origins). Since the 1950s, most African nations have gained independence from their former colonial powers. Independence has brought many changes to these nations, including the introduction of multiparty democratic governments and greater efforts to educate their populations. With the world's highest population growth rate, Africa continues to face challenges in its industrial and social development. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** all about africa!