Top 10 Biggest Countries in Africa by Size and Population

Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, filled with beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, and fast-growing populations. But have you ever wondered which countries in Africa are the biggest in terms of land size and largest by population?

In this article, we’ll see the top 10 largest countries in Africa by area and the top 10 most populous countries in Africa. This list will help you understand how vast some African countries are and how many people live in them.

Let’s go in.

🌍 Top 10 Largest Countries in Africa by Area (Landmass)

These are the biggest countries on the African continent when it comes to landmass:

1. Algeria

• Size: About 2.38 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area. It’s located in North Africa and most of its land is covered by the Sahara Desert.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Size: Around 2.34 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Though slightly smaller than Algeria, DRC is the biggest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and is rich in minerals and forests.

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3. Sudan

• Size: Roughly 1.86 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Sudan used to be the largest in Africa before South Sudan became independent in 2011.

4. Libya

• Size: Around 1.76 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Most of Libya’s landmass is desert, but it has a long Mediterranean coastline.

5. Chad

• Size: About 1.28 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Chad is in Central Africa and has a mix of desert, grasslands, and savannah.

6. Niger

• Size: Around 1.27 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Niger is one of the largest landlocked countries in the world.

7. Angola

• Size: About 1.25 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Angola is rich in oil and diamonds, and it’s located in Southern Africa.

8. Mali

• Size: Around 1.24 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Mali is a mostly flat and arid country located in West Africa.

9. South Africa

• Size: Roughly 1.22 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: South Africa has three capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein.

10. Ethiopia

• Size: Around 1.1 million square kilometers

• Fun Fact: Ethiopia is the second-most populous country in Africa and has never been colonized, except briefly by Italy.

👥 Top 10 Biggest Countries in Africa by Population

Now, let’s look at the most populated African countries, the ones with the biggest number of people.

1. Nigeria

• Population: Over 220 million people

• Fun Fact: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world. It is also one of the most developed contries in Africa.

2. Ethiopia

• Population: Over 126 million people

• Fun Fact: Ethiopia is known for its ancient history and is the only African country with its alphabet.

3. Egypt

• Population: Over 110 million people

• Fun Fact: Most Egyptians live along the Nile River because the rest of the country is desert.

4. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Population: Around 102 million people

• Fun Fact: Though huge in size, many parts of DRC are still underdeveloped.

5. Tanzania

• Population: Over 67 million people

• Fun Fact: Home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain.

6. South Africa

• Population: Around 60 million people

• Fun Fact: South Africa is famous for its wildlife, wine, and Nelson Mandela. It is the one of the biggest economy in Africa.

7. Kenya

• Population: Over 55 million people

• Fun Fact: Kenya has one of the strongest economies in East Africa and is popular with tourists.

8. Uganda

• Population: Around 48 million people

• Fun Fact: Uganda is known as the “Pearl of Africa” because of its beauty and biodiversity.

9. Algeria

• Population: Over 45 million people

• Fun Fact: While Algeria is the largest in land size, most of the population lives in the north near the coast.

10. Sudan

• Population: Over 48 million people

• Fun Fact: Despite political challenges, Sudan remains one of the biggest in both size and population.

See>>>> 100 Fun and Interesting Facts About Africa for Kids

🧠 Quick Summary Table

Final Thoughts

Africa is a vast and beautiful continent with both massive land and booming populations. Countries like Algeria and DRC stand out for their sheer size, while Nigeria leads with its huge population.

These differences between landmass and population show how diverse the continent truly is. Some of the biggest countries by land are not the most populated, and vice versa. This mix is what makes Africa unique and full of potential.

As Africa continues to grow, both in numbers and in development, these large countries will play a key role in shaping the future of the continent. Whether it’s land size or number of people, Africa has a big story to tell.