It is interesting that although there were seven (or more) nations living in the land of Israel, the Torah calls it the land of Cannan, after the Cannanites. There are a few explanations of why this is that I cannot remember, but here is an interesting one from the Midrash Tanchumah Parashas Bo Sif 12:
"To the land of the Cannanites." Why did Canaan merit that the land be called in his name? Because when he heard that the Bnei Yisroel were coming, he moved out. The Holy One, Blessed is His Name, said to him, "Because you moved out, the land will be called by your name, and I will give you a land as beautiful as your land." Which land is that? The land of Africa (afrika).
I never remember learning that the Cannanites moved out, but it seems like they did. What is also interesting, is that the Midrash is telling us that Africa is as beautiful as the land of Israel (at least before the Jews got there). I don't know what part of Africa it is refering to (for instance, Egypt is in Africa, but I highly doubt it is refering to Egypt!), maybe Uganda? :)
It is interesting that although there were seven (or more) nations living in the land of Israel, the Torah calls it the land of Cannan, after the Cannanites. There are a few explanations of why this is that I cannot remember, but here is an interesting one from the Midrash Tanchumah Parashas Bo Sif 12: 
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