Largest Countries in Africa

According to the World Population Review, the following are the largest countries in Africa by land area:

1. Algeria
   Algeria is the largest country in Africa, covering an area of 2.38 million square kilometers. Approximately 90 percent of the country is desert. Algeria boasts a rich history and culture, alongside abundant natural resources, including oil and gas.

Located in North Africa, it has a population of 46 million as of 2024, with most residents living in the northern region along the Mediterranean coast.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo
   The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a total land area of 2.34 million square kilometers.

As of June 2024, the country is home to around 105 million people. Known for its extensive tropical rainforests and the large Congo River, it is also a major producer of cobalt.

3. Sudan
   Sudan is the third-largest country, located in Northeast Africa, with an area of 1.86 million square kilometers.

It is home to the longest river in the world, the Nile, and has a population of approximately 49 million as of 2024. Much of Sudan’s territory consists of desert.

4. Libya
   Libya, situated in North Africa, has an area of 1.76 million square kilometers and a population of around 6.9 million as of 2024.

The country is rich in oil and gas reserves, which are its main sources of state income. Major cities like Tripoli and Benghazi serve as economic and cultural centers.

5. Chad
   Chad ranks fifth among the largest countries in Africa, with a territory of 1.28 million square kilometers and a population of 18 million.

The country features diverse landscapes, ranging from deserts in the north to savannas and mountains in the south.

6. Niger
   Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, with about 80 percent of its territory covered by desert.

It spans an area of 1.27 million square kilometers and has a population of approximately 28 million as of 2024. The economy mainly relies on subsistence agriculture and uranium mining.

7. Angola 
   Angola is the seventh-largest country in Africa, located in West Africa, covering 1.25 million square kilometers.

Its population is around 37 million, with most inhabitants residing in the western part of the country. Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, diamonds, and iron ore.

8. Mali
   Mali, located in West Africa, is the eighth-largest country, boasting an area of 1.24 million square kilometers and a population of 23 million.

Notable for its historical significance as the center of a great empire, Mali’s majority of inhabitants live in the southern Sahara desert, while the Niger River serves as an important route for agriculture and trade.

9. South Africa
   South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent, covering an area of 1.22 million square kilometers. As of 2024, its population is around 60 million.

Known for its geographical diversity, including mountains, beaches, and grasslands, South Africa also has the most developed economy on the continent.

10. Ethiopia
   Ethiopia, the tenth-largest country in Africa, is located in the Horn of Africa. It has a land area of about 1.10 million square kilometers and a population of around 129 million.

Ethiopia features a diverse topography, including plateaus, valleys, and large lakes, and is recognized as the most populous landlocked country in the world.