Everyone has their own idea of what it’s like to live in “Africa”. What a lot of people don’t realise is, Africa is a continent of 54 countries, all with their own rich histories and cultures. So here are a few of the things you might not expect to see:
#1) People Driving Cars To Work
Sorry to disappoint, kiddos, but we don’t actually ride elephants to work. Nor do lions usually roam the streets.
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I’m just messing with you – there are far more interesting things in Africa (it’s a big place) than that.
#2) One of the Largest Armed Forces in the World (Egypt)
Egypt is home to the largest military in Africa and the Middle East, as well as one of the largest in the world, with 35 million people fit for military service at any given moment.
#3) One of the World’s Safest Cars
In 2009, Muammar Gaddafi (you may have heard of him. He was the dictator in power in Libya until his death in 2011) presented his plan for the “safest car in the world”. Called the Saroukh el-Jamahiriya or “Libyan Rocket”, the 5-seater sedan was installed with a multitude of safety features to try lower accident rates.
#4) Table Mountain – One of the World’s Most Beautiful
Standing over the city of Cape Town, South Africa, Table Mountain appears to look almost exactly like its namesake. The silhouette is totally flat on top and when clouds drift in, they give it its own table cloth!
#5) One of the Richest Cities in the World
The richest city in Africa lies down south. Johannesburg, South Africa, is the richest in Africa. The suburb of Sandton is called Africa’s Richest Square-Mile; it’s the business hub of the country, and possibly the continent.
#6) One of the Richest Countries in the World
This time, it’s Nigeria that takes the prize. The richest country in Africa, with a GDP of $1.1 Trillion, Nigeria is expected to be one the driving economies in the world by 2020.
#7) Home to Billionaires!
Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man and a major player in the world of cement, sugar, flour and oil. His net worth is somewhere around $22 Billion
Africa’s 2nd richest man is luxury goods billionaire Johann Rupert, a South African worth $7 billion
#8) One of the World’s Most Famous Authors
Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist and poet and professor. His most famous work, “Things Fall Apart”, was published in 1958 and told the story of a tribe destroyed by contact with Westerners. He lectured around the world, including Brown University in the United States.
#9) A Top-200 Ranked University
The only university in Africa to be anywhere near the top 200 in the world is the University of Cape Town. The 2nd oldest university in Africa, it sits at the heart of the city of Cape Town, South Africa.
#10) Hydrogen Power
In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, some schools are implementing hydrogen fuel cells to keep the lights on. This to counter country-wide power shortages, it’s a significant step forward for technology.