Africa

Africa is a continent on planet Earth, the third largest in area and second in population. Africa is crossed by the Equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn; consequently, much of the territory falls in the torrid zone and is characterized by deserts, savannahs and rainforests. It is the continent with the largest area affected by the arid and hot climate (climate "BWh" of the Köppen climate classification). However, in the far north and the far south, there are also areas with more temperate climates. Together with Europe and Asia, it forms the so-called Old Continent.

It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Asia to the northeast through the Isthmus of Suez, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is separated from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar. Its minimum distance from the American continent is about 4000 km, on a line from Santo Antão, Cape Verde, to Fortaleza, Brazil.