One thing I find interesting about the theory of evolution is the idea that Homo Erectus and Habilis evolved in Africa, began to spread around the globe, then was superseded by Homo Sapiens Sapiens which also evolved in Africa. Why did the vast majority of Homo species evolve in East Africa first? What was it about Africa which encouraged speciation more than other areas?
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2$\begingroup$ Neanderthals probably evolved in Europe, not Africa, raising from a common ancestor that was present in both regions. See The origin of Neandertals $\endgroup$– iayorkJun 2, 2017 at 12:04
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$\begingroup$ Hi mate, thanks for this. Didn't know Neanderthals likely evolve in Europe, this changes my perspective somewhat. $\endgroup$– CharlieJun 2, 2017 at 12:42
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$\begingroup$ Denisovans and floresiensis also probably evolved outside Africa. But all had a common ancestor that was African, and the division into "Homo" vs other groups is a little arbitrary $\endgroup$– iayorkJun 2, 2017 at 13:14
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$\begingroup$ because of the trees, lizards evolved on the ground, and the apes lived on the trees, it wasn't until the extinction of the dinosaurs, that some of this apes returned to the ground and spread in the world. Africa was the safest place on those times. $\endgroup$– montelofJun 5, 2017 at 15:41
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$\begingroup$ Interesting idea, can you back this up with any studies? Don't think apes and dinosaurs had any overlap, first mammals were roughly 60 million and dinosaurs died out at a similair time. Also trees wouldn't explain the speciation, trees are found everywhere. $\endgroup$– CharlieJun 5, 2017 at 20:31
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The question is based on a false opinion but I'll get back to that at the end.
Humans are still evolving
Why did all species of Homo evolve in Africa first?
Humans are evolving all around the world. Evolution is not a thing that stops once we made the arbitrary decision of naming a lineage. When we first named humans, Homo sapiens sapiens, indeed the lineage was living in east Africa.
Humans is a lineage of Old World Great Ape
One thing I find interesting about the theory of evolution is the idea that Homo Neanderthalis evolved in Africa
It would help if you could explain why you find that particularly interesting. It is possible that some falsy teleological view of evolution you may have might push you to make some unexpected conclusion from the idea that first Homo lineages lived in Africa (but might be wrong in your understanding of evolutionary processes). In any case, you can find an very introductory course to evolutionary biology here if you're interested.
If humans were a species of feline, it could have evolved elsewhere (it would look very different to what we currently call humans of course) but humans is a lineage of old world great ape. Old world great ape lived mainly in Africa. There is not much more to say about it.
why Africa did Africa encourage evolution more than other areas of the world?
Africa is a continent. It is big! You can find pretty much any biome in the world in Africa (except toundra and taiga if I am not mistaken). Did the specific location where humans lived in Eastern Africa affect their evolution. Yes, the evolution of a population is always affected by its surrounding. For example, the presence of large game was probably a big selection pressure for cooperative hunting (but you can/could find large game everywhere).
It will be near impossible to answer in the general sense. A lot of things happened in human evolution. Even if you tackle down to a single trait, it will be hard to tell you what would have happened if the world would have been different because it was not. (WorldBuilding.SE welcomes questions like "if it was like that what would have happened?").
Origin of Homo lineages
There are a number of named Homo lineages, some of them have not lived in Africa. This include for example Homo floresiensis.
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$\begingroup$ The reason I described it as interesting is that to my understanding many significant stages in human evolution (the majority: Australopithecus, Homo Erectus, Homo Habilis, Neanderthals, Homo Sapiens) occurred in Africa; however, I'm well aware evolution is occurring all the time. My question was why Africa did Africa encourage evolution more than other areas of the world? $\endgroup$– CharlieJun 1, 2017 at 23:19
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$\begingroup$ PS, I'm well aware there are exceptions to the rule and certain species evolved elsewhere. $\endgroup$– CharlieJun 1, 2017 at 23:20
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$\begingroup$ I edited the post to try to address your comment. But I am afraid no one will be able to say much to such question (not so much by lack of knowledge but more due to the semantic of your question). But we'll some others might find more things to see that may be of interest to you $\endgroup$– Remi.bJun 2, 2017 at 0:23