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Africa at night. Satellite image of the Earth at night, set against a background of stars, centred on the continent of Africa. North is at top. City lights (yellow) show areas of dense population. Most of Africa is dark in comparison with the bright lights of the cities of Europe and the Middle East (across top). Rural and undeveloped areas in Africa include the vast Sahara desert in the north, tropical forests in central Africa, and the savannah and deserts of eastern and southern Africa. City lights seen outside Africa and Europe include part of South America (lower left), India (upper right) and islands in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Image data obtained in 2001 by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/NASA/NOAA)