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 begin their reply to South Africa's first innings score of 343, after number 10 Dale Steyn hits 47.
cricket_score (cricket_score) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:36 -0000
England begin their reply to South Africa's first innings score of 343, after number 10 Dale Steyn hits 47.
England 9-0 v S Africa 343: England 9-0 v S Africa 343
Livec (Livec) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:27 -0000
England 9-0 v S Africa 343: England 9-0 v S Africa 343
oh england finally bowled s africa out
vamp1228 (Tracy Wyatt) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:23 -0000
oh england finally bowled s africa out
[Blog] 'A kidney for a car' (News 24 South Africa): Cash-strapped Indonesians are selling their organs onli... http://ping.fm/eWHiX
onlineca (Peter Williams) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:16 -0000
[Blog] 'A kidney for a car' (News 24 South Africa): Cash-strapped Indonesians are selling their organs onli... http://ping.fm/eWHiX
RSA-Eng England in South Africa 2009-10! FOUR ALERT! Andrew Strauss* 12(10) Total Fours: 1 Eng 17/0 after 3.3 overs
CCRSA (CCRSA) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:14 -0000
RSA-Eng England in South Africa 2009-10! FOUR ALERT! Andrew Strauss* 12(10) Total Fours: 1 Eng 17/0 after 3.3 overs
RSA-Eng England in South Africa 2009-10! FOUR ALERT! Andrew Strauss* 12(10) Total Fours: 1 Eng 17/0 after 3.3 overs
CCENG (CCENG) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:14 -0000
RSA-Eng England in South Africa 2009-10! FOUR ALERT! Andrew Strauss* 12(10) Total Fours: 1 Eng 17/0 after 3.3 overs

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