Sub-Saharan Africa is a geographical term used to describe the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara, or those African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara. It contrasts with North Africa, which is part of the Arab World. The Sahel is the transitional zone between the Sahara and the tropical savanna (the Sûdân region) and forest-savanna mosaic to the south. The Horn of Africa and large parts of Sudan are geographically part of sub-Saharan Africa, but nevertheless show strong Middle Eastern influence and are also part of the Arab world. The Sub-Saharan region is also known as Black Africa, in reference to its "black" populations. The term bilâd as-sûdân itself literally translates to "land of the blacks". (via Wikipedia)