Africa is known to be the 2nd most populous; as well as the 2nd largest continent in the world. Africa would come after Asia. It covers about 6% of Earth’s surface area; as well as 20.4% of Earth’s land area. This is because when you combine Africa with its adjacent lands, it would have about 30,221,532 km2; which is equivalent to 11,668,545 sq mi land. This would account for the 60 territories that it has; which is being populated by more than 900 million individual. Thus, that estimate was for 2005, you can only imagine the figure they may have now. This would make Africa cover about 14% of the actual human population of the world.

Africa is surrounded by several water forms; such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. Africa has a total of 46 countries; including the famous Madagascar. It would also have a total of 53; if you will include the island groups.

It is in Eastern Africa that the scientific community considers as the home origin of humans; as well as the Homidae tree or the great apes. This speculation was derived from the earliest hominids that were discovered in parts of Africa. Aside from the hominids, they were also able to discover its possible ancestors and its latter generations; which would date back to around 7 million years ago. These discoveries amazed the world and were eventually studied. The discoveries became classified as the Australopithecus africanus, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, A. afarensis, Homo habilis, H. ergaster, H. erectus and the earliest H sapiens. Thus, for the human generation, the Homo sapiens were discovered in Ethopia around 200,000 years back.

Like other nations near the equator, Africa straddles and encompasses several climate areas. Thus, Africa is considered as the only actual continent that stretches from the north temperate up to the south temperate region. It is just that they lack irrigation and natural direct regular precipitation; along with the mountain aquifer systems and glaciers. This would mean that, in Africa, there is natural means fro the moderating effect on its climate. The only exception would be the coastal areas.

The African Union 

When the African Union was established, it monitored and tackled concerns pertaining to Africa’s estates; excluding Morocco. The federation has its headquarters in Addis Ababa; which started way back June 26, 2001. Thus, the African Union’s PAP or Pan-African Parliament was later on relocated to Midland in South Africa last July 2004. The only part of the African Union that remained in the Addis Ababa area was the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Hence, there was a so-called policy initiated that is for the decentralization of these African Federation organizations; in such a manner that all states would equally have shares and parts of it.

This is when they formed the so-called Act of Union. It aims to actually transform the direct African Economic Community and not be confused with the African Union and its Commissions. It was later on when the federated commonwealth became into a state; which is under the so-called established direct international conventions.

Thus, the African Union Government is considered as the African Union’s parliamentary form of government. It would consist of the judicial, legislative; as well as the executive organs being led by the then AU President and Head of State. This AU President and Head of State would also stand as the President of the Pan African Parliament. To become an African Union President, you need to be elected to the above mentioned PAP; and, of course, gain a majority of support in this PAP.

As of now, the Head of State and Chief of Government of the African Union is President Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella. This was led, by virtue, to the fact that she is also the President of the Pan African Parliament. It was last March 2004 when she was elected by the Parliament during its so-called inaugural session. Her term would last for 5 years. This PAP would also consist of about 265 legislators. Each continent of the AU or African Union will have 5 constituents to represent them in this body. It was even estimated that about 21% of the members here were female.

The President of the African Parliament’s powers would come from the actual Union Act; as well as the Protocol of the Pan African Parliament. This would also include the inheritance of direct presidential authority; which would be stipulated duly by the precise African treaties and international treaties as well. It would also include the subordinating organizations of the Secretary General of the OAU Secretariat from the AU Commission to the actual PAP.

The African Union’s government would consist of the all-union or federal, state, regional; as well as municipal authorities and hundreds of organizations. These would all manage the institution’s day-to-day affairs.  

Africa's Setbacks 

Hence, from the state policies that failed, it resulted to inequitable global trade practices; as well as climatic conditions like drought. This brought about widespread famines; plus the inability of distribution systems, for significant parts of Africa, to disseminate sufficient water and food for the African population to survive. From the wealth brought about by the previous colonialism; which accounted to about 90% of the world’s gold resource, they have become the Earth’s poorest continent. In fact, their former riches are now being enjoyed by other countries.

Diseases are also very rampant in the region. The spread of actual diseases like HIV and AIDS is a deadly pandemic in this continent. More and more Africans are getting infected. This would account to the fact that since Africa is a poor continent, more women there are becoming sex slaves. Prostitution is quite out of hand.

Aside from this, there are also cases of human rights abuse in a majority if Africa’s regions. This is mostly overseen by the state. Research shows that most of these abuses are happening because of political reasons.

These are some of the setbacks Africa is facing up to now. Of course, their government is trying hard to resolve these issues. It’s just a matter of time. Perhaps, they are just setting these aside for the time being.

Africa's Natural Resources 

Even if Africa is abundant in natural resources, they remain as the most underdeveloped and poorest in the world. This would only be a result of several factors; like slave trade, failed central planning, their corrupt government, the international geopolitics and trade regime, the widespread violations on human rights, the so-called effects of colonialism, illiteracy, despotism, tribal savagery, superstition, and military conflict. As of 2003, the United Nation’s Human Development Report showed that the bottom 25 nations were all from Africa.

It is really a sad fact that a country with do much richness in its area would go down only because of the people controlling them. Illiteracy, poverty, inadequate water supply, malnutrition and poor health are all being experienced by a majority of the people in this continent.

Imagine a nation that thrives on less than $1 per day. Thus, it’s getting worse. It is, as mentioned above, the poorest inhabited continent in the world.

Africa's Emerging Areas

Hence, there are areas that are gaining popularity and are doing well already. These would include South Africa and Botswana. With the growth of tourism there, they are slowly emerging and experiencing economic success. These 2 areas in Africa boast of a wealth of natural resources; especially since they are a major producer of diamonds and gold. They already have a legal system that is well maintained.
South Africa is also gaining accessibility to numerous markets, the financial capital, skilled labor, as well as the 1st world infrastructure. They even have a majority of the stock exchanges of the continent. This would be the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Botswana is currently focusing their budget on the improvements for their infrastructures. This would go for their capital and largest city, Gaborone. In fact, Gaborone is considered as one amongst the fastest growing cities in the world. Other African countries that are doing well would include Cameroon, Egypt and Ghana.

Zimbabwe's Stand 

As for Zimbabwe, about 80% of their residents remain unemployed. This is why about 2 million of their residents have fled either to South Africa or Botswana. Inflation rates were estimated to have reached more than 1000%. The Zimbabwean dollar also depreciated against the US dollar. This is why starvation and hunger is quite rampant in Zimbabwe. Consumer shortages are prevalent. Zimbabwe is the poorest in all of Africa.

Africa's Market 

Various areas of Africa have varied economic standings. If you are planning to buy a property in Africa, Botswana and South Africa would be good options for you. Continuous development and redevelopments are taking place. In fact, land there is still considerably low. This may eventually increase since their market industry is emerging now.

In fact, if you will be buying a property there, it is best to go there directly and see what the areas have for you. South Africa has rich beaches you can only dream of. It is an exotic paradise on its own. You will find resorts there that are already state-of-the-art. They have so many wonderful facilities and amenities to boast about.