Africa: Atlas of Our Changing Environment

UNEP, 2008. — 390 p.Africa is the second-largest continent on Earth after Asia and currently considered among the most strategic regions in terms of global development opportunities. With about 30 million square kilometres including adjacent islands and the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, Africa covers over 20 per cent of Earth’s total land area. Africa is also the second most populous continent after Asia. With over 965 million people it accounts for about one-seventh of the world’s human population. The vast landscape of Africa contains a host of natural wonders and rich resources such as coltan and platinum, which are currently considered the most strategic minerals.