How many countries are there in Africa?
Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent in the world, known for its rich cultural diversity, extensive history, and vast geographical variety. It spans from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the southernmost tip at Cape Agulhas. The continent is made up of a large number of countries, each with its unique culture, language, and history.
Regions of Africa
Africa is commonly divided into several regions based on geographical, cultural, and historical factors. The most recognized divisions are:
- North Africa
- West Africa
- East Africa
- Central Africa
- Southern Africa
1. North Africa
According to CountriesCached, North Africa is a region that spans the northern part of the African continent. It is known for its rich history, ancient civilizations, and strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The region is predominantly Arab and Berber in culture and language.
1.1. Egypt
Egypt is one of the most historically significant countries in the world, known for its ancient civilization, including the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. It has a rich cultural heritage and has been a center of learning and culture for centuries. The capital city is Cairo.
1.2. Algeria
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by land area. It is known for its diverse landscapes, including the vast Sahara Desert, and its rich history that includes influences from Berber, Arab, and French cultures. The capital city is Algiers.
1.3. Libya
Libya is a country located in North Africa, known for its extensive oil reserves. It has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean cultures. The capital city is Tripoli.
1.4. Morocco
Morocco is a country known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical cities like Marrakech and Fez. It has a unique blend of Arab, Berber, and European influences. The capital city is Rabat.
1.5. Tunisia
Tunisia is a small North African country known for its rich history, including the ancient city of Carthage. It has a Mediterranean climate and a diverse cultural heritage. The capital city is Tunis.
1.6. Sudan
Sudan is a country located in northeastern Africa, known for its diverse population and complex history. It has a significant cultural heritage influenced by Arab and African traditions. The capital city is Khartoum.
1.7. Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in West Africa, located on the Atlantic coast. It is known for its vast deserts and significant Islamic cultural influence. The capital city is Nouakchott.
1.8. Western Sahara (Disputed Territory)
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It is known for its desert landscape and has been a focal point of territorial conflict. The administrative center is Laayoune, controlled by Morocco.
2. West Africa
West Africa is a culturally and historically rich region, known for its diversity of languages, ethnic groups, and traditions. It has been a significant center of trade and civilization for centuries.
2.1. Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and one of the largest economies on the continent. It is known for its diverse culture, significant oil reserves, and vibrant cities. The capital city is Abuja.
2.2. Ghana
Ghana is a country known for its rich history, including the powerful Ashanti Empire. It is a stable democracy and has a growing economy. The capital city is Accra.
2.3. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
Ivory Coast, officially known as Côte d’Ivoire, is a country known for its cocoa production, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. The capital city is Yamoussoukro, with Abidjan being the largest city.
2.4. Senegal
Senegal is a country located on the westernmost point of Africa. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant music scene, and stable political environment. The capital city is Dakar.
2.5. Mali
Mali is a landlocked country known for its rich history, including the ancient city of Timbuktu. It has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by various ethnic groups. The capital city is Bamako.
2.6. Guinea
Guinea is a country known for its rich natural resources, including bauxite, and its diverse ethnic groups. The capital city is Conakry.
2.7. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, known for its rich cultural traditions and history of political instability. The capital city is Ouagadougou.
2.8. Niger
Niger is a landlocked country known for its vast desert landscapes and significant uranium deposits. It has a diverse population with a rich cultural heritage. The capital city is Niamey.
2.9. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a country located on the Atlantic coast, known for its history of civil conflict and its rich natural resources, particularly diamonds. The capital city is Freetown.
2.10. Liberia
Liberia is a country in West Africa, known for being founded by freed American slaves. It has a rich cultural heritage and a history marked by civil conflict. The capital city is Monrovia.
2.11. Benin
Benin is a country known for its historical significance, including the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey. It has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its vibrant voodoo traditions. The capital city is Porto-Novo.
2.12. Togo
Togo is a small country located in West Africa, known for its diverse cultures, languages, and historical significance. The capital city is Lomé.
2.13. Gambia
The Gambia is the smallest country on the mainland of Africa, known for its rich cultural traditions and diverse ecosystems. The capital city is Banjul.
2.14. Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a small country located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, known for its rich cultural heritage and history of political instability. The capital city is Bissau.
2.15. Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an island nation located off the coast of West Africa, known for its Creole Portuguese-African culture, music, and stable political environment. The capital city is Praia.
3. East Africa
East Africa is a region known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from savannas and mountains to coastlines and islands. It has a rich cultural heritage and is home to some of the most iconic wildlife and national parks in the world.
3.1. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a rich history that includes ancient civilizations, such as the Kingdom of Aksum. It is known for its unique culture, languages, and historical sites. The capital city is Addis Ababa.
3.2. Kenya
Kenya is a country known for its diverse landscapes, including savannas, mountains, and coastlines, as well as its rich cultural heritage and vibrant wildlife. The capital city is Nairobi.
3.3. Tanzania
Tanzania is a country known for its natural beauty, including Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park. It has a diverse cultural heritage and is home to some of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. The capital city is Dodoma, with Dar es Salaam being the largest city.
3.4. Uganda
Uganda is a landlocked country known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and savannas, as well as its rich cultural heritage. The capital city is Kampala.
3.5. Rwanda
Rwanda is a small, landlocked country known for its stunning landscapes, including mountains and lakes, as well as its tragic history related to the 1994 genocide. The capital city is Kigali.
3.6. Burundi
Burundi is a small, landlocked country located in East Africa, known for its rich cultural traditions and history of conflict. The capital city is Gitega, with Bujumbura being the largest city.
3.7. South Sudan
South Sudan is the youngest country in the world, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011. It is known for its diverse population and complex history. The capital city is Juba.
3.8. Somalia
Somalia is a country located on the Horn of Africa, known for its long coastline, rich cultural heritage, and ongoing conflict. The capital city is Mogadishu.
3.9. Djibouti
Djibouti is a small country located in the Horn of Africa, known for its strategic location near some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The capital city is Djibouti City.
3.10. Eritrea
Eritrea is a country located in the Horn of Africa, known for its diverse cultures, languages, and history of conflict with Ethiopia. The capital city is Asmara.
3.11. Seychelles
Seychelles is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, known for its stunning beaches, rich biodiversity, and stable political environment. The capital city is Victoria.
3.12. Comoros
Comoros is an island nation located off the eastern coast of Africa, known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. The capital city is Moroni.
3.13. Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, known for its diverse culture, stunning beaches, and stable economy. The capital city is Port Louis.
3.14. Madagascar
Madagascar is an island nation located off the southeastern coast of Africa, known for its unique biodiversity, rich cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes. The capital city is Antananarivo.
4. Central Africa
Central Africa is a region characterized by dense rainforests, diverse wildlife, and a mix of cultures and languages. It has a complex history of colonization, conflict, and development.
4.1. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest country in Central Africa by land area. It is known for its vast rainforests, rich natural resources, and complex history of conflict. The capital city is Kinshasa.
4.2. Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo, often referred to as Congo-Brazzaville, is located in Central Africa, known for its rainforests, diverse wildlife, and oil reserves. The capital city is Brazzaville.
4.3. Central African Republic (CAR)
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country known for its rich natural resources, including diamonds and gold, as well as its history of political instability. The capital city is Bangui.
4.4. Cameroon
Cameroon is a country located in Central Africa, known for its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant music scene. The capital city is Yaoundé.
4.5. Gabon
Gabon is a country located on the west coast of Central Africa, known for its rainforests, rich biodiversity, and oil reserves. The capital city is Libreville.
4.6. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a small country located on the west coast of Central Africa, known for its oil reserves and diverse cultural heritage. The capital city is Malabo.
4.7. Chad
Chad is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, known for its desert landscapes, diverse cultures, and history of conflict. The capital city is N’Djamena.
4.8. Angola
Angola is a country located in Central Africa, known for its oil reserves, rich cultural heritage, and history of conflict. The capital city is Luanda.
5. Southern Africa
Southern Africa is a region known for its diverse cultures, rich history, and significant economic resources, particularly in mining. The region is home to some of the most developed countries on the continent.
5.1. South Africa
South Africa is one of the most developed countries in Africa, known for its rich cultural diversity, significant natural resources, and complex history of apartheid. The country has three capital cities: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative).
5.2. Namibia
Namibia is a country located in Southern Africa, known for its vast deserts, rich cultural heritage, and significant natural resources, particularly in mining. The capital city is Windhoek.
5.3. Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country known for its stable democracy, significant diamond resources, and rich wildlife, particularly in the Okavango Delta. The capital city is Gaborone.
5.4. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a country known for its rich history, including the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe, and its complex political and economic situation. The capital city is Harare.
5.5. Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country known for its rich natural resources, including copper, and its stunning natural beauty, particularly Victoria Falls. The capital city is Lusaka.
5.6. Mozambique
Mozambique is a country located on the southeastern coast of Africa, known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and history of civil conflict. The capital city is Maputo.
5.7. Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and stunning Lake Malawi. The capital city is Lilongwe.
5.8. Lesotho
Lesotho is a small, landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa. It is known for its mountainous terrain, rich cultural heritage, and unique position as an enclave. The capital city is Maseru.
5.9. Eswatini (Swaziland)
Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a small, landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is known for its rich cultural traditions and history as one of the last absolute monarchies in the world. The capital cities are Mbabane (administrative) and Lobamba (royal and legislative).
5.10. Madagascar
Madagascar, also considered part of Southern Africa, is known for its unique biodiversity, cultural heritage, and geographical isolation as the fourth-largest island in the world. The capital city is Antananarivo.
