There are over fifty countries in africa, more than in any other continent. Altogether, more than 800 languages are spoken by the different groups of peoples who live there. Huge areas of grassland are set aside as national parks. Traditional dances are often performed to the music of many drums. Camels are still used to transport goods in the northern desert regions.
Many modern cities are centres of trade and government.
Both traditional and modern lifestyles are found in african villages. Women often harvest the grain crops and grind the grain by hand. The old market of Marrakesh in Morocco is a famous trading place. It is the second largest continent, after asia. The newest country is Namibia which became independent in 1990.