What Is the Largest Country In Africa? Comprehensive List by Land Area

 
On the continent of Africa, there are 58 countries and notable geographical features. The world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara, and the world’s longest river, the Nile, can be found on the continent of Africa.

Top 10 Largest African Countries

Now, let us examine the 10 biggest nations in Africa by land area.

#10 - Ethiopia - 1,127,127 sq.km

Ethiopia is a country that is located in the easternmost part of Africa known as the Horn of Africa. Covering 435,186 square miles, Ethiopia is the 27th largest country in the world and the 10th largest on the African continent.

In Ethiopia, if you travel too far to the north, you might step over into Eritrea, too far to the east, Djibouti and Somalia; too far to the west, Sudan and South Sudan and too far to the south, you might cross the border into Kenya. Its largest and most populated city is its capital, Addis Abba.

#9 - South Africa 1,219,912 sq.km

Take out a map of Africa and trail your finger to the tip of the continent, right there is South Africa. Yes, the country of South Africa is the southernmost country of Africa.

It takes up 471,011 square miles ranking it as the 25th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Africa. As it is located at the tip, the coastline is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The land surface is covered in plateaus, plains, mountains and beaches.

#8 - Mali - 1,240,000 sq.km

I do not know about you but I think I could use some gold right now. Mali is a landlocked country located in West Africa. Occupying 478,767 square miles. Mali is the 24th largest country in the world and the 8th largest country in Africa.

Mali, unfortunately, suffers from a dry and hot climate as most of the country lies in the southern Saharan desert. I mentioned gold earlier right? Well, Mali is a country in which large deposits of gold, phosphates, uranium, salt, limestone and kaoline can be found.

#7 - Angola - 1,246,700 sq.km

Located in Southern Africa, Angola is the 7th largest country on the African continent. It covers 481,354 square miles making it the 23rd largest country in the world.

Angola shares borders with Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, South Atlantic Ocean to the east and the DR of Congo to the north-east. According to Cia.gov, Angola is rich in diamonds, phosphates, gold, iron ore, bauxite, uranium, feldspar and petroleum reserves.

#6 - Niger - 1,267,000 sq.km

Did you know Niger is named after the Niger River? If you did not well now you know. Niger is another landlocked country located in Western Africa. It occupies 489,191 square miles and is the largest country in West Africa and the 22nd largest country in the world.

Despite being named after the Niger river, Niger experiences very a very hot and dry climate as most of its land area is covered by the Sahara desert. The southern parts are covered in savannah land which is home to a variety of wildlife.

#5 - Chad - 1,284,000 sq.km

Hey there, here is another landlocked country. Located in Central Africa, Chad shares borders with Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south and Libya to the north, Niger to the west and Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest.

Chad covers 495,755 square miles making it the 5th largest country in Africa and the 21st largest country in the world. Chad got its name from Lake Chad, the second largest wetland in Africa. Chad, however, suffers from a hot and dry climate.

#4 - Libya - 1,759,540 sq.km

Located in North Africa, Libya is fortunate to have its northern borders washed by the Mediterranean Sea. The country of Libya has an area of 469,432 square miles making it the 4th largest country in Africa and the 16th largest in the world.

Most of Libya’s land area is covered in the Libyan Desert which contributes to Libya’s dry and hot climate. Libya may have it harder than the rest as it is said to be one of the driest places on the earth.

#3 - Sudan - 1,861,484 sq.km

Today Sudan sits occupies the position of the third largest country in Africa. Before 2011, it was the largest country but South Sudan independence has reduced its size.

The country of Sudan is located in Northern Africa and occupies 718,723 square miles of the total land area on the African continent. It is also the 16th largest country in the world. The land area of Sudan is characterized by plains and mountain ranges.

The Rive Nile is formed in its capital Khartoum where the Blue and River Nile meet. Several mineral resources such as gold, iron, petroleum and silver can be found in Sudan, (www.cia.gov).

#2 - Democratic Republic of Congo - 2,345,410 sq.km

The Democratic Republic of Congo occupies 905,568 square mile making it the 2nd largest county in Africa and the 11th largest in the world. The DRC has more thunderstorms than any other country in the world as a result of its location near the equator.

Another interesting fact about the DRC is that the second largest rainforest in the world. The rainforest is surrounded by plateaus, savannahs in the south, mountains and grasslands in the north.

#1 - Algeria - 2,381,740 sq.km

Occupying 919, 595 square miles in North Africa, the country of Algeria is the largest in African and the tenth largest in the world. The landscape of Algeria consists of the Tell Atlas and the Sahara desert in the south, and even more mountains in the north with vast plains in between. Algeria experiences a hot climate all year round.

Conclusion

These are the largest countries on the continent of Africa, ranked by land mass area. We hope you've learned a lot from this list and please do share your comments with us below; should you have any further questions on any of the above.