How many countries are there in africa?

Number of Countries in Africa:

How many countries are there in Africa? – There are 54 recognized countries in Africa. These nations span an incredibly diverse range of cultures, languages, and geographies, and they vary from vast deserts to tropical rainforests and from tiny island nations to some of the largest countries in the world by area and population.

In addition to these 54 fully recognized countries, there are two disputed territories or partially recognized states: Western Sahara and Somaliland. While both claim independence, neither is widely recognized internationally.

List of 54 African Countries:

Here is a list of the 54 sovereign countries in Africa, arranged alphabetically:

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Benin
4. Botswana
5. Burkina Faso
6. Burundi
7. Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
8. Cameroon
9. Central African Republic
10. Chad
11. Comoros
12. Congo (Republic of the Congo)
13. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
14. Djibouti
15. Egypt
16. Equatorial Guinea
17. Eritrea
18. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
19. Ethiopia
20. Gabon
21. Gambia
22. Ghana
23. Guinea
24. Guinea-Bissau
25. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
26. Kenya
27. Lesotho
28. Liberia
29. Libya
30. Madagascar
31. Malawi
32. Mali
33. Mauritania
34. Mauritius
35. Morocco
36. Mozambique
37. Namibia
38. Niger
39. Nigeria
40. Rwanda
41. São Tomé and Príncipe
42. Senegal
43. Seychelles
44. Sierra Leone
45. Somalia
46. South Africa
47. South Sudan
48. Sudan
49. Togo
50. Tanzania
51. Tunisia
52. Uganda
53. Zambia
54. Zimbabwe

Disputed and Partially Recognized States:

While not fully recognized as sovereign nations, two territories in Africa are claimed as independent by some parties but are not universally acknowledged:

1. Western Sahara – Claimed by both the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco. It is recognized by some countries and is a member of the African Union, but Morocco claims sovereignty over it.
2. Somaliland – A self-declared independent state in northern Somalia that has its own government and institutions, but it is not internationally recognized as independent and is considered part of Somalia.

Geographical Overview of Africa:

• Largest Countries by Area:

  • Algeria – The largest country in Africa by area (2.38 million km²).
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – The second largest in Central Africa (2.34 million km²).
  • Sudan – Before the separation of South Sudan, Sudan was Africa’s largest country (1.86 million km²).

• Most Populous Countries:

  • Nigeria – The most populous country in Africa with over 200 million people.
  • Ethiopia and Egypt are also highly populous, with populations exceeding 100 million.

• Island Nations:

  • Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros are the main island nations of Africa, each with distinct ecosystems and cultures.

Regions of Africa:

Africa is often divided into five major regions:

1. North Africa:

   • Countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia
   • Characterized by the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, and Mediterranean coastlines.

2. West Africa:

   • Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo
   • Known for cultural diversity, ancient empires (like the Mali Empire), and vast savannas.

3. East Africa:

   • Countries: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
   • This region includes the East African Rift, famous wildlife reserves (such as the Serengeti), and the horn of Africa.

4. Central Africa:

   • Countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Republic of the Congo), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe
   • Characterized by rainforests, rivers like the Congo River, and vast natural resources.

5. Southern Africa:

   • Countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
   • Known for diverse landscapes (from deserts to savannas), rich mineral resources, and important economies like South Africa.

African Union (AU):

The African Union (AU) is a continental body that includes 55 member states. It was established in 2002 to promote unity, peace, and development across the continent. Western Sahara is considered a member of the AU as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), but the membership is contested by Morocco, which claims the territory.

Summary:

• 54 fully recognized countries in Africa.
• Two disputed territories: Western Sahara and Somaliland.
• The African Union (AU) recognizes 55 member states, including the disputed entities.
• Africa is home to an immense range of cultures, languages, and environments, from tropical rainforests to vast deserts like the Sahara, making it one of the most diverse continents on the planet

Number of Countries in Africa – Map of Africa