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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

How Big Is Africa Really? Size Comparisons to the USA, States and Countries

How Big Is Africa Really? Size Comparisons You’ll Never Forget

Africa is colossal—about 30.3 million km² (≈ 11.7 million mi²). That number is hard to feel, so here are simple, memorable comparisons to U.S. states, popular countries, and famous routes that put Africa’s scale in perspective.

Putting Its Size in Perspective

Africa vs the USA (and a Few States)

  • Africa vs USA: Africa (~30.3M km²) is over 3× larger than the United States (~9.8M km²).
  • Texas: Africa is ≈ 43.5× the size of Texas (695,662 km²).
  • Ohio: Africa is ≈ 261× the size of Ohio (116,096 km²).
  • Maryland: Africa is ≈ 1,197× the size of Maryland (25,314 km²).

Africa vs Popular Countries

Africa can contain the areas of the USA, China, India, and much of Europe—together. For a striking visual breakdown, see our explainer: The True Size of Africa.

Africa vs Greenland

Africa: ~30.3M km² vs Greenland: ~2.166M km². Africa is roughly 14× larger. (Map projections often make Greenland look huge—area numbers tell the real story.)

North–South & East–West: Long Distances in Africa

  • North–South: Ras ben Sakka (Tunisia) to Cape Agulhas (South Africa) is ~8,000 km (~5,000 mi).
  • Cairo → Cape Town: Straight line ~7,241 km; typical driving routes ~9,860 km (real trips take much longer with borders, road conditions, and rest).

The Sahara Desert vs the Contiguous United States

The Sahara covers ~9.2 million km². The contiguous U.S. is ~8 million km². That makes the Sahara alone slightly larger than the lower 48.

City Footprints: Nairobi, NYC & Others

Nairobi spans a land area comparable to New York City, though their layouts and geography differ. Smaller African capitals like Maseru (Lesotho), Accra (Ghana), and Lomé (Togo) have tighter urban footprints than NYC’s vast metro. In the U.S., a fast-growing city such as Huntsville, Alabama remains much smaller than Nairobi in both population and reach.

Key Takeaway

Africa’s scale rewrites mental maps. It’s larger than the USA, China, India, and much of Europe combined, with distances that rival transcontinental journeys. Once you see the numbers, you never forget them.

How Are You Feeling Today? Find an African Proverb or Story to Match Your Mood

How Are You Feeling Today?

Type or tap a mood. Your storyteller returns a proverb, mini-folktale, recipe, cooking activity, and a cultural note.

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Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

African Gourmet Newsletter

Light African snack spicy popcorn

Join The African Gourmet Newsletter

Join our African Gourmet Newsletter to get new folktales, recipes, and history every month.

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African Studies

African Studies
African Culture and traditions