What are the top 10 largest countries in Africa by landmass? According to Wikipedia, there are 54 countries in Africa but all these countries have different sizes and populations. You would be surprised to find out that Algeria is the African country with the largest landmass.
This indicates that it is bigger than Nigeria by landmass even though many people in different countries know about Nigeria than Algeria.
The Top 10 Largest Countries In Africa By Land Mass
Every African country definitely has its own landmass, population or territory. The following is a round-up post of the largest countries in Africa by landmass. Information on this post is obtained from sources such as Wikipedia, World population review and Worldatlas.
#1 Algeria – 2,381,741 km2 (919,595 sq mi)
What is the largest country in Africa by landmass? The largest country in Africa by land mass is Algeria or the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Algeria sits on the coast of the Mediterranean ocean and has a very beautiful setting.
Algerians are very hospitable people and traditionally greets visitors by offering them milk and Algerian dates which are said to be some of the best dates on earth.
The official religion of the country is Islam, the official language is Arabic and Muslim clothing is the major wears of all Algerians.
P.S. The smallest country in Africa by land mass is Seychelles with a landmass of 451 km2(174 sq mi). Nigeria comes 14th with a landmass of 923,768 km2(356,669 sq mi) according to Wikipedia.
However, what Nigeria doesn’t make up for in landmass, it makes up for in population. This is because Nigeria is the African country with the largest population.
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#2 Republic of Congo – 2,344,858 km2 (905,355 sq mi)
The Republic of Congo otherwise known as Congo-Brazzaville or the Congo Republic is located in Central Africa and shares its borders with four other countries.
The country is home to “Parc National Nouabalé-Ndoki” which was nicknamed the “Last Eden” and named as a World Heritage site due to its extra-ordinariness.
The Republic of Congo also has two wet seasons and two dry seasons with a high level of heat and humidity. The country is home to Eastern lowland gorillas, bonobos which can not be found in other places or countries apart from Congo.
This is the second-largest African country by landmass.
#3 Sudan – 1,861,484 km2 (718,723 sq mi)
The Republic of Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa by landmass. Its largest city is Khartoum and the capital of the country just like in the case of Libya.
Scuba divers would love this country as scuba diving is a very popular and common sport in the country due to the availability of many beaches.
Other tourist attractions in the country include the Sanganeb National Park, Pyramids of Meroe, Dinder National Park among others.
The majority of the population in the country are Muslims and the country is the largest producer of gum arabic. However, it is also a poor country irrespective of the resources they have.
Athletes and footballers would definitely love the country as the most popular sports in the country are football, track and field sports.
#4 Libya – 1,759,540 km2 (679,362 sq mi)
The name of the country “Libya” evolved from a neologism that was created as a result of their Italian conquest in the early 20s.
Libya is one of the African countries that make up North Africa. The other five countries are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Sudan. It is also one of the less populated countries in Africa. What it does not have in population, it makes up for in landmass.
Arabic is the main spoken language in the country and the country has 5 UNESCO world heritage sites to show off. The largest city in the country is Tripoli and it is also the capital city of Libya.
It is also the home to many beaches like Ras Alteen, Ras Al-Hammamah, Zuwarah, and Farwa Island. Libya is an African country with the largest oil reserve.
#5 Chad – 1,759,540 km2 (679,362 sq mi)
Chad has the honour of being the largest landlocked country in Africa among other countries, which are South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ethiopia, Mali, Zambia, Central African Republic, Malawi, Uganda, Lesotho, Swaziland, Niger, Rwanda, and Botswana.
If you’re wondering what is a landlocked country? According to Wikipedia, “A landlocked state or landlocked country is a sovereign state entirely enclosed by land, or whose only coastlines lie on closed seas”.
The Babel Tower of The Word which is the nickname of Chad has a very limited number of doctors and is one country that hasn’t had the opportunity to go for FIFA World Championships ever.
However, the country has Lake Chad which is the seventeenth-largest lake in the world and the source of water for many people in the countries of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad itself. Chad also got its name from Lake Chad.
#6 Niger – 1,284,000 km2 (495,755 sq mi)
Niger got its name from the River Niger which is situated in West Africa. It has some of the most amazing sights like Tenere Desert, Air Mountains, Musee National du Niger among others. It is the largest country in West Africa by landmass.
Niger suffers from very hot weather and dryland due to the country being mostly covered by the Sahara desert. It is no wonder it has the nickname “Frying Pan of The World”.
Air and Tenere Natural reserve is one of the largest protected reserves in the world and is situated in Niger. This reserve can boast of various wild animals, landscapes, and plant species.
#7 Angola – 1,246,700 km2 (481,354 sq mi)
Angola is known as a Portuguese colonized colony and derived its name from the Kibundu word for king. The country is one of the African countries that have the fastest growing economy in the world.
Angola is the home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world, the Rucana Falls and it has a large population of more than 9,000 officers out of which 6,000 of them are patrol officers. The well-known dreadlocks that is common with many people these days have its root in Angola.
Throughout Angola are beautiful government buildings, rich natural resources, in fact, the capital city of Angola (Luanda) is the most expensive city for expats. Luanda is also known as the Paris of Africa.
#8 Mali – 1,240,192 km2 (478,841 sq mi)
Even though Mali is an African country with a population of 19,664,103, it is the 8th largest country in Africa by land mass and the 24th largest country in the world.
The country shares boundaries with 7 countries which are Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Guinea.
The Republic of Mali is described as one of the hottest countries in the world apart from Ethiopia, Sudan, Tunisia and Algeria. The country depends on the mining of gold and the exportation of agricultural produce as the main source of revenue.
Mali depends on agricultural exports and gold mining for its main revenue.
#9 South Africa – 1,221,037 km2 (471,445 sq mi)
Next on the list of the largest country in Africa in terms of the geographical landmass in South Africa, the country with the largest economy in Africa. South Africa obtained its name from the geographical location of the country which is at the Southern tip of Africa.
South Africa is known as Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch which means the Union of South Africa. The country is blessed with Table Mountain which is known as one of the oldest mountains in the world.
It can also boast of having one of the six floral kingdoms (Cape Floral Kingdom) in the world and the location to one of earth’s 12 energy centers, electric, magnetic and spiritual energy.
#10 Ethiopia – 1,104,300 km2 (426,373 sq mi)
The first African country on our list is Ethiopia, the oldest independent country in Africa. It is also the second-largest African country with the largest population after Nigeria.
Ethiopia is the 10th biggest country in Africa in terms of landmass. The capital of Ethiopia is Addis Ababa and it is a unique city that can boast of being the highest capital city in Africa above sea level.
Ethiopia is a beautiful country with different volcanoes, deserts, architecture, highlands, and wildlife. It is the home of Lake Tana which goes into the Blue Nile, one of the major tributaries of the River Nile.
It is the only country with a 12-hour time system whether your count from morning till night or night till morning which is an amazing fact on its own.
Now you know the names of the largest countries in Africa by landmass.
Here’s a quick recap of the top 10 largest countries in Africa by landmass:
- 1. Algeria – 2,381,741 km2
- 2. Republic of Congo – 2,344,858 km2
- 3. Sudan – 1,861,484 km2
- 4. Libya – 1,759,540 km2
- 5. Chad – 1,759,540 km2
- 6. Niger – 1,284,000 km2
- 7. Angola – 1,246,700 km2
- 8. Mali – 1,240,192 km2
- 9. South Africa – 1,221,037 km2
- 10. Ethiopia – 1,104,300 km2
Which country has the largest land area in Africa?
The largest country in Africa by land mass is Algeria or the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria with a pleasant climate throughout the year. Algeria sits on the coast of the Mediterranean ocean and has a very beautiful setting.
What are the 10 largest countries in Africa?
The 10 largest countries in Africa include
Algeria – 2,381,741 km2
Republic of Congo – 2,344,858 km2
Sudan – 1,861,484 km2
Libya – 1,759,540 km2
Chad – 1,759,540 km2
Niger – 1,284,000 km2
Angola – 1,246,700 km2
Mali – 1,240,192 km2
South Africa – 1,221,037 km2
Ethiopia – 1,104,300 km2