Africa is a very big continent, it has so many areas that have such huge and gigantic landmass. One of which is Algeria, which has been the largest country in Africa and the Arab world since the division of Sudan in 2011. Africa has a large population size, and great mineral resources. Africa is the world’s second-largest continent after Asia.
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second most populous continent, after Asia, with a total land area of 11,724,000 square miles (30,365,000 square km), which covers about one-fifth of Earth.
Africa is cut equally into two by the Equator so that most of the regions lie within the tropical region. The continent has a total of 54 recognized countries, and each country brings something unique to the table.
But, there are some nations who are so large that they command attention, which also contributes to their influence of the regional and global affairs.
Below is a list of all the largest countries with the largest one topping the chart
1.Algeria (2,381, 741 sq.km)
As the largest country in Africa more than 80% of which is desert, in North Africa, between Morocco and Tunisia. Algeria, which dominates the North African landscape is characterized by diverse landscapes, including the Sahara Desert, mountains, and a Mediterranean coastline. Largest country in the Arab world and tenth-largest country in the world. With a former area of 2,505,813 km2 (967,500 sq mi), Sudan was the largest country in Africa until South Sudan split from North Sudan in 2011.
2.Democratic Republic of Congo (2,344,860 sq.km)
Located in the heart of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-largest country on the continent. Its landmass spans dense rain forests, the Congo River basin, and the vast Central African savanna.
3.Sudan (1,878,000 sq.km)
Situated in northeastern Africa, Sudan is the third-largest country on the continent. Its expansive territory encompasses a varied landscape, including the Nile River, deserts, mountains, and savannas.
4.Libya (1,759,540 sq.km)
Libya is located in North Africa and is the fourth-largest country on the continent. It is characterized by vast stretches of desert, including a significant portion of the Sahara, as well as coastal regions along the Mediterranean Sea. At 1,770 kilometres (1,100 mi), Libya’s coastline is the longest of any African country bordering the Mediterranean. The country’s expansive landmass has influenced its economy, which historically relied on oil resources.
5.Chad (1,284,000 sq.km)
Chad, the fifth-largest country in Africa, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of North and Central Africa. Its diverse landscape includes the Sahara Desert in the north, the Sahel region, and the fertile Lake Chad basin in the southwest. The country’s substantial land area plays a crucial role in its economic activities, such as agriculture and oil production.
6.Niger (1,267,000 sq.km)
Nestled in West Africa, Niger is the largest country in the region. The landscape includes parts of the Sahara Desert in the north, savannas, and the Niger River basin in the southwest. Niger’s landmass is integral to its predominantly agrarian economy.
7.Angola (1,246,700 sq.km)
Angola is located in southwestern Africa and is the seventh-largest country on the continent. Comparable in size to Mali, or twice the size of France or of Texas, it features a varied topography, encompassing a lengthy coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, plateaus, and the Congo River basin. Angola’s landmass has contributed to its economic significance, particularly through oil and diamond exports.
8.Mali (1,240,190 sq.km)
Mali, located in West Africa, is the eighth-largest country in Africa. Comparable in size to South Africa or Angola, most of the country lies in the southern Sahara Desert. The country boasts of a diverse ecosystems, including the Niger River basin and the Sudanese savanna. Mali’s vast land area has historical significance, as it was a center of the trans-Saharan trade routes and the Mali Empire.
9.South Africa (1,219,090 sq.km)
South Africa, located at the southern tip of the continent features a diverse landscape, including mountains, savannas, and coastal areas along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is bigger than every country in Europe apart from Russia and every state in the USA except Alaska. South Africa’s landmass is a crucial factor in its economic strength, contributing to industries such as mining, agriculture, and tourism.
10.Ethiopia (1,136, 240 sq.km)
Positioned as the 10th largest country in Africa, Ethiopia commands a significant presence in East Africa. The country is roughly as large as France and Spain combined and is five times the size of the UK. The topography includes the Ethiopian Highlands, the Great Rift Valley, and lowland areas.
Country % total Africa area in km2 (mi2)
1 Algeria 7.9% 2,381,741 (919,595) [a]
2 DR Congo 7.7% 2,344,858 (905,355)
3 Sudan 6.2% 1,861,484 (718,723) [b]
4 Libya 5.8% 1,759,540 (679,360)
5 Chad 4.2% 1,284,000 (496,000) [c]
6 Niger 4.2% 1,267,000 (489,000)
7 Angola 4.1% 1,246,700 (481,400) [d]
8 Mali 4.1% 1,240,192 (478,841)
9 South Africa 4.0% 1,221,037 (471,445) [e]
10 Ethiopia 3.6% 1,104,300 (426,400)
11 Mauritania 3.4% 1,030,700 (398,000)
12 Tanzania 3.1% 945,203 (364,945) [f]
13 Egypt 3.1% 941,450 (363,500) [g]
14 Nigeria 3.1% 923,768 (356,669)
15 Namibia 2.7% 825,615 (318,772)
16 Mozambique 2.6% 801,590 (309,500)
17 Zambia 2.5% 752,612 (290,585)
18 South Sudan 2.1% 644,329 (248,777)
19 Somalia 2.1% 637,657 (246,201) [h]
20 Central African Republic 2.1% 622,984 (240,535)
21 Madagascar 1.9% 587,041 (226,658) [i]
22 Botswana 1.9% 581,730 (224,610)
23 Kenya 1.9% 580,367 (224,081)
24 Cameroon 1.6% 475,442 (183,569)
25 Morocco 1.5% 446,550 (172,410) [j]
26 Zimbabwe 1.3% 390,757 (150,872)
27 Republic of the Congo 1.1% 342,000 (132,000)
28 Ivory Coast 1.1% 322,460 (124,500)
29 Burkina Faso 0.9% 274,222 (105,878)
30 Gabon 0.9% 267,668 (103,347)
Western Sahara 0.9% 266,000 (103,000) [k]
31 Guinea 0.8% 245,857 (94,926)
32 Uganda 0.8% 241,550 (93,260)
33 Ghana 0.8% 238,533 (92,098)
34 Senegal 0.6% 196,722 (75,955)
35 Tunisia 0.5% 163,610 (63,170)
36 Malawi 0.4% 118,484 (45,747)
37 Eritrea 0.4% 117,600 (45,400)
38 Benin 0.4% 114,763 (44,310)
39 Liberia 0.4% 111,369 (43,000)
40 Sierra Leone 0.2% 71,740 (27,700)
41 Togo 0.2% 56,785 (21,925)
42 Guinea-Bissau 0.1% 36,125 (13,948)
43 Lesotho 0.1% 30,355 (11,720)
44 Equatorial Guinea 0.1% 28,051 (10,831) [l]
45 Burundi 0.1% 27,834 (10,747)
46 Rwanda 0.1% 26,338 (10,169)
47 Djibouti 0.1% 23,200 (9,000)
48 Eswatini 0.1% 17,364 (6,704) [m]
49 Gambia 0.04% 11,295 (4,361) [n]
50 Cape Verde 0.01% 4,033 (1,557)
51 Mauritius 0.01% 2,239 (864) [o]
52 Comoros 0.01% 1,862 (719) [p]
53 São Tomé and Príncipe 0.003% 964 (372)
54 Seychelles 0.001% 452 (175)
Total 100% 30,265,522 km2 (11,685,583 sq mi)
