10 Myths About Africa

Check out these 10 myths about Africa.



Long known as the 'Dark Continent', Africa is at once mysterious and dangerous, yet beauty is at every turn. Here are 10 myths about Africa that should be known.

Number 10. Myth: Africa is made up of either desert or rain forest. Africa is actually home to many diverse ecosystems including mountains and river systems. Savannas, or grasslands, cover almost half of Africa, more than 5 million square miles.

Number 9. Myth: Africa is dangerous, don't go there. Although multiple countries are listed on the U.S.'s travel warning list, with approximately 54 countries, you'll find more safe and friendly places than not. For example, South Africa's current murder rate is lower than that of at least ten other countries, including Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Number 8. Myth: Africa will always be poor. Bill Gates would disagree. According to him, over the past half-decade, 7 out of the world's 10 fastest-growing economies are in Africa.

Number 7. Myth: It's always hot in Africa. You'd be surprised to know that it does snow in Africa. People in Johannesburg, South Africa experienced snow in 2012 and before that in 2007, although never to the extent American Midwesterners are accustomed to.

Number 6. Myth: All Africans speak the same language. In reality, there are over 2000 languages spoken on the continent. In addition to native tongues, English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic are used in many areas.

Number 5. Myth: Women are oppressed. Many are fighting back and in some areas, like Rwanda, latest figures show women make up approximately 63% of parliament.

Number 4. Myth: Africa is a country. Africa is the second-largest and second most populous continent on earth and is home to 54 recognized sovereign states and countries, 9 territories and 2 de facto independent states.

Number 3. Myth: Africa is technologically backwards. Data suggests many regions are quite progressive. Africa now has more than 650 million mobile phone subscribers. That's more than either the United States or the European Union.

Number 2. Myth: Africa needs "our" help. In cases of natural disaster and drought, sure, but when it comes to governance, many African leaders are saying no thanks. Recently, Malawi's president took a pass on 22 million pounds in British development aid because it came with too many governance strings attached.

Number 1. Myth: All Africans are black. There are actually thousands of ethnic groups in Africa. Nearly 10 percent of the continent's population is white, and close to 3 percent is Asian.