Africa is the second largest continent in the world after Asia. The continent covers around 30.3 million km², including adjacent islands. This is about 20% or one-fifth of Earth's land area. Africa boasts 54 countries and various dependencies, with a total population of approximately 1.4 billion people, accounting for about 18% of the global population. This comprehensive article aims to rank all 54 African countries and dependencies by both landmass and population, helping you uncover the largest country in Africa.
Africa comprises 54 fully recognized sovereign states, each with diverse government types. Most of these governments operate under parliamentary systems. Additionally, there are eight cities and islands that are considered part of non-African states, and two de facto independent territories with limited or no recognition. This diversity adds to the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories found across the continent.
Which is the largest country in Africa by land mass?
- Capital city: Algiers (El Djazaïr)
- Government: Semi-presidential system
- Currency: Algerian Dinar
- Official languages: Arabic, Tamazight
- Area: 2.382 million km²
Algeria stands out as the largest country in Africa, covering a total area of 2,381,740 km². This vast land area also ranks Algeria as the tenth-largest country in the world. Located in North Africa, it features a stunning Mediterranean coastline alongside a sprawling Saharan desert interior. Despite its enormous landmass, Algeria is the 10th largest country in Africa by population, with approximately 45,606,480 residents.
List of countries in Africa ranked by land mass
While South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are some of the most recognizable African countries, they do not occupy the largest land areas. In fact, several other nations surpass them in size. Below is a list of the 54 African countries ranked from largest to smallest based on their landmass:
| Country | Total area (km²) |
|---|---|
| Algeria | 2,381,740 |
| DR Congo | 2,344,858 |
| Sudan | 1,861,484 |
| Libya | 1,759,540 |
| Chad | 1,284,000 |
| Niger | 1,267,000 |
| Angola | 1,246,700 |
| Mali | 1,240,192 |
| South Africa | 1,219,090 |
| Ethiopia | 1,104,300 |
| Mauritania | 1,030,700 |
| Egypt | 1,001,450 |
| Tanzania | 947,300 |
| Nigeria | 923,768 |
| Namibia | 824,292 |
| Mozambique | 799,380 |
| Zambia | 752,618 |
| South Sudan | 644,329 |
| Somalia | 637,657 |
| Central African Republic | 622,984 |
| Madagascar | 587,041 |
| Botswana | 581,730 |
| Kenya | 580,367 |
| Cameroon | 475,440 |
| Morocco | 446,550 |
| Zimbabwe | 390,757 |
| Republic of the Congo | 342,000 |
| Ivory Coast | 322,463 |
| Burkina Faso | 274,200 |
Largest country in Africa by population
- Capital city: Abuja
- Government: Federal republic system
- Currency: Nigerian Naira
- Official language: English
- Area: 923,768 km²
Nigeria holds the title of the largest country in Africa by population, housing around 223,804,632 individuals. It is positioned in the western part of the continent and has a coastline that faces the Atlantic Ocean. Despite being the 6th largest in terms of landmass in Africa, Nigeria's population density highlights its significance on the continent.
List of countries in Africa ranked by population
The United Nations Statistics provides insights into the population sizes of all 54 African countries, ranked from largest to smallest. This data also includes various dependencies, autonomous territories, and regions:
| Country | Population size |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | 223,804,632 |
| Ethiopia | 126,527,060 |
| Egypt | 112,716,598 |
| DR Congo | 102,262,808 |
| Tanzania | 67,438,106 |
| South Africa | 60,414,495 |
| Kenya | 55,100,586 |
| Sudan | 48,109,006 |
| Uganda | 48,582,334 |
| Algeria | 45,606,480 |
| Morocco | 37,840,044 |
| Angola | 36,684,202 |
| Ghana | 34,121,985 |
| Mozambique | 33,897,354 |
| Madagascar | 30,325,732 |
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