“I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.” -Nelson Mandela

It’s 12 : 08  PM on day 2080 of my journey towards independence and I managed to have breakfast, pray, read Proverbs 13: 20, learn one new thing – Arabic is spoken by 170 million people on the continent [Africa], followed in popularity by English (130 million), Swahili (100), French (115), Berber (50), Hausa (50), Portuguese (20) and Spanish (10). – and work on my  25 Smiles Campaign   – raised $5 774 only $476 more to raise before Jan 10 2017 (SO SO SO GRATEFUL to everyone who has supported this campaign so far 🙂 ).

Today is Africa Day and in honour of that I have compiled a few facts about this beautiful continent that I’m honoured to call my home. Take a look:

5 Facts about Africa

1. There are 55 countries in Africa (including the Western Sahara [just because Morocco says it’s not a country doesn’t make it less of a country]).

2. [The] African continent is the world’s oldest populated area.

3. The Pharaonic civilization of ancient Egypt is one of the world’s oldest and longest-lasting civilizations.

4. Arabic is spoken by 170 million people on the continent, followed in popularity by English (130 million), Swahili (100), French (115), Berber (50), Hausa (50), Portuguese (20) and Spanish (10).

5. Africa has eight of the 11 major biomes and the largest-remaining populations of lion, elephant, rhinoceros, cheetah, hyena, leopard and hundreds of other species.

(Note: Facts 2-5 are from voices.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/31/getting-to-know-africa-50-facts/ )