Africa is the only continent with land in all four hemispheres.
The Equator crosses Africa, placing parts of the continent in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The Prime Meridian also crosses Africa, placing land in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Together, these two reference lines divide the globe into four hemispheres, and Africa reaches every one of them.
The Equator passes through countries including Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia. The Prime Meridian crosses Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana before reaching the Gulf of Guinea.
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent by area and population after Asia. Its geography includes the Sahara, the world’s largest hot desert; the Nile, often described as the longest river; the Great Rift Valley; tropical forests; and extensive southern savannas. The continent’s position across the equator also contributes to its broad range of climates.