The French flag (pictured) represents this island. It is officially a department of France with the same status as those in Europe, despite being situated in the Indian Ocean to the East of Madagascar. The island was once called Bourbon but has had what name since 1848?

Flags representing nations first appeared in the 17th century and most European countries had their own flags by the end of the 19th century. However, the majority of the national flags used in Africa today were designed in the latter half of the 20th century. This is because, prior to the 1960's, the continent of Africa was divided and ruled by the European powers, and so they used the flags of their own governments. With the onset of independence new nations emerged, and so with them, new flags.  Africa is the second largest of the Earth's continents. It covers an area of 11,668,599 square... Show more

Flags representing nations first appeared in the 17th century and most European countries had their own flags by the end of the 19th century. However, the majority of the national flags used in Africa today were designed in the latter half of the 20th century. This is because, prior to the 1960's, the continent of Africa was divided and ruled by the European powers, and so they used the flags of their own governments. With the onset of independence new nations emerged, and so with them, new flags. 

Africa is the second largest of the Earth's continents. It covers an area of 11,668,599 square miles (30,221,532 square km), has a coastline 16,000 miles (26,000 km) long and measures 5,000 miles (8,000 km) north to south, and 4,600 miles (7,400 km) east to west.

The total population of Africa is approximately 1,100,000,000 - roughly 15% of the world as a whole. They live in 54 recognised countries, under 58 different flags. 

Due to its size and its position astride the equator, Africa has a whole range of climates, from deserts and arid savannahs to rainforests and even subarctic mountains. Camels roam the deserts, elephants inhabit the vast plains and gorillas can be found in the deepest parts of the forests. Africa is truly a wonder of biodiversity.

Due to these variations in landscape, the countries of Africa also differ greatly, from the desert lands of the North, such as Libya or Morocco, and the savannahs of Kenya. to the central jungles found in such places as the Congo.

Despite an abundance of natural resources Africa is the world's poorest continent financially. Exploitation by European powers, followed by years of military conflict, have left it lagging behind in both health and education.

Slowly, Africa is growing in wealth, and its countries are catching up with the rest of the world.

The continent of Africa has 32 official languages (though many more unofficial ones), over 100 ethnic groups and more than 50 countries. 

The African Union, formed on May 26th 2001, is a representation of the governments of Africa. It has the aim of greater unity between the African countries and the people who live on the continent.

54 African states are members of the African Union, although three (Guinea-Bissau, Egypt and the Central African Republic) are currently suspended. The only African state which is not a member is Morocco, which voluntarily left the OAU (the predecessor of the AU) in 1984 in protest over its recognition of Western Sahara.

The continent of Africa has many different religions. The main two are Christianity, which is dominant in the south, and Islam, which is more prevalent in the north. In addition to these, Africa is also home to many members of the Baha'i faith, a good portion of Hindus, and of course the millions who follow the dozens of traditional African religions.

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