Population: 748 million Countries: 56 Area: About 30.33 million square km. It makes up about 22% of the world's total land area. Languages: More than 1 000 different languages are spoken in Africa. Somalia is the only country in the world where all the citizens speak one language, Somali. Fastest animals: Four of the five fastest land animals live in Africa. Longest river: The Nile drains northeastern Africa, and, at 6 650km, is the longest river in the world. Lowest point: Lake Asal (153m below sea level) in Djibouti. Highest point: Mount Kilimanjaro (5 895m) in Tanzania. Malaria: Over 3 000 children under the age of five die each day from malaria in Africa. Employment: Africa has one of the world's highest youth unemployment rates (25.6% in the Middle East and North Africa, and 21% in sub-Saharan Africa). Africa loses an estimated 20 000 skilled personnel a year to developed countries. Source: China-Africa Development Fund
