The African continent is home to a remarkable array of cultures , landscapes and histories . This Brobdingnagian realm comprises 54recognizedAfrican countries , each with its own distinct identicalness . Here , we ’ll search the nation of Africa , divide into the key area : North Africa , West Africa , Central Africa , East Africa and Southern Africa .
This lean include commonwealth with extra reign statuses and disputed areas . Additionally , dependent territories and other territories with unique construction and administrative position are considered in this comprehensive list .
Let ’s delve into the sweetheart and variety of African country and learn a little second about each one .
5 Countries in North Africa
1. Algeria
Algeria , the largest country on theAfrican continent , boasts vast desert landscapes and a significant Mediterranean coastline . Its uppercase , Algiers , is renowned for its Ottoman watershed and vivacious cultivation .
2. Egypt
Egypt , home to the iconic pyramids and the Nile River , is steeped in story and mystery . It ’s also therichest country by GDPon the continent . Cairo , the chapiter , hosts the famous Egyptian Museum , which houses countless artifacts from ancient times .
3. Libya
Despite its tumultuous recent account , Libya is known for its archaeological treasures and vast desert landscape . The ancient ruin of Leptis Magna are among the best - conserve Roman situation in the cosmos .
4. Morocco
Morocco , get laid for its ample cultural inheritance and stunning architecture , is a gateway between Europe and Africa . The commonwealth ’s bustling marketplace and diachronic sites like the ancient city of Fez attract million of visitors annually .
5. Tunisia
Tunisia is renowned for its well - preserved Roman ruin and Mediterranean beaches . The ancient city of Carthage and the bustling medina of Tunis play up the rural area ’s diachronic significance .
6 Countries in West Africa
1. Gambia
Gambia , the smallest country on the African mainland , is known for its various ecosystem along the Gambia River . The country ’s beautiful beaches and wildlife attract many tourists .
2. Ghana
Ghana is know for its rich history , with landmarks like the Cape Coast Castle . The nation is also fete for its vivacious festival and receive people .
3. Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast is renowned for its hot chocolate production and beautiful beach . Abidjan , the economic working capital , is a hub of French - speaking West African culture and business .
4. Mali
Mali , home to the legendary metropolis of Timbuktu , has a fertile chronicle as a heart of learning and swop in ancient Africa . It ’s also thehottest country in the world .
5. Nigeria
Nigeria , the most populous state in Africa , is a ethnic powerhouse with a booming entertainment industry , often referred to as Nollywood . Lagos , its largest city , is a major financial pith on the continent .
6. Senegal
Senegal is famous for its music , dance and the historic island of Gorée , a UNESCO World Heritage site . Dakar , the Das Kapital , is know for its lively arts panorama and vibrant night life .
6 Countries in Central Africa
1. Angola
Angola , with its oil - rich economy , is also known for its vivacious culture and history . The upper-case letter metropolis , Luanda , is one of the most expensive cities in the world .
2. Cameroon
Cameroun is known as " Africa in Miniature " because of its Brobdingnagian variety of landscape , cultures and languages . From beaches to mountains , it offer a snapshot of the integral continent ’s geographics .
3. Central African Republic
Despite political instability , the Central African Republic boasts unbelievable lifelike ravisher , including the Dzanga - Sangha National Park , known for its wildlife and rainforests .
4. Chad
Chad is family to the sensational Lake Chad and the Sahara Desert . The country ’s diverse ethnic groups and racy chronicle make it a fascinating place to explore .
5. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo , often come to to as the DRC , is a rural area plentiful in rude resource and biodiversity . Its Brobdingnagian rainforests and river systems make it a crucial part of the African ecological landscape .
6. Gabon
Gabon is renowned for its encompassing web of national Mungo Park , which protect its divers wildlife and rainforest . The country is also a major oil producer in Central Africa .
6 Countries in East Africa
1. Ethiopia
Ethiopia , with its ancient account and divers cultures , is dwelling house to the rock - hand-hewn churches of Lalibela and the source of the Blue Nile .
2. Kenya
Kenya is illustrious for its savannas teeming with wildlife , including the Big Five . Nairobi , the capital , is a regional hub for business and finish .
3. Rwanda
Rwanda , the " Land of a Thousand Hills , " is take note for its noteworthy recovery from the 1994 genocide and its conservation try , particularly for mountain Gorilla gorilla .
4. Somalia
Somalia , turn up on the Horn of Africa , has a fat cultural heritage despite its late chronicle of conflict . The land ’s coastline is one of the long in Africa .
5. Tanzania
Tanzania is rest home to Mount Kilimanjaro , the high-pitched superlative in Africa , and the Serengeti National Park , renowned for its annual wildebeest migration .
6. Uganda
Uganda , known as the " Pearl of Africa , " offer sensational landscapes and wildlife , admit stack gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest .
9 Countries in Southern Africa
Angola , fat in oil and rhomb , is also known for its divers cultures and landscapes . The capital , Luanda , is one of Africa ’s major port cities .
2. Botswana
Botswana is renowned for its high - end safari tourism , in particular in the Okavango Delta , one of the world ’s prominent inland deltas .
3. Malawi
Malawi , known as the " Warm Heart of Africa , " is famous for its friendly people and beautiful Lake Malawi , a UNESCO World Heritage site .
4. Mauritius
Mauritius , an island nation in the Indian Ocean , is renowned for its arresting beach , luxury hangout and divers ethnic influence .
5. Mozambique
Mozambique sport a long Indian Ocean coastline with beautiful beaches and vibrant coral reef , make it a popular destination for diving and snorkeling .
6. Namibia
Namibia is get it on for its sensational desert landscape , including the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park , a haven for wildlife .
7. South Africa
South Africa , make out for its various cultures and landscapes , is a top tourist destination . Cape Town , Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park are major magnet .
8. Zambia
Zambia is rest home to Victoria Falls and offers incredible wildlife experiences in parks like South Luangwa National Park . Zambia and Zimbabwe are also the only twocountries that start with " z " — not just in Africa , but on the intact major planet .
9. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is noted for Victoria Falls , one of the big and most dramatic waterfall in the human beings , and its rich archaeological heritage , including the Great Zimbabwe ruins .
22 Additional African Countries
1. Benin
Benin is famous for its historical import as the birthplace of the Vodun ( Voodoo ) religion and the Kingdom of Dahomey . The land also boasts beautiful landscapes and wildlife .
2. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso , with its rich tradition of music and fine art , is sleep with for its vibrant ethnic fete . The capital , Ouagadougou , is a hub of West African film and culture .
3. Burundi
Burundi , despite being one of the smallest area in Africa , is known for its vivacious culture and scenic landscapes , including Lake Tanganyika .
4. Cape Verde
Cape Verde , an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean , is known for its Creole Lusitanian - African culture , beautiful beaches , and vivacious music scene .
5. Comoros
Comoros , an island nation in the Indian Ocean , is known for its diverse marine life-time and beautiful beaches . The archipelago ’s unequalled culture think over African , Arabic , and French influence .
6. Djibouti
Djibouti , strategically located near the Red Sea , is known for its volcanic formations and common salt lake . The commonwealth play a significant function in international marine trade .
7. Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea , one of the richest countries in Africa due to its oil reserves , is known for its unequaled ethnic blend and biodiversity , admit the Monte Alen National Park .
8. Eritrea
Eritrea , locate on the Red Sea , bluster a rich history and a blend of cultural influences . Its capital , Asmara , is hump for its Italian colonial architecture .
9. Eswatini
The realm of Eswatini , one of Africa ’s last absolute monarchies , is famous for its traditional Swazi cultivation and beautiful landscapes , let in the Hlane Royal National Park . officially have intercourse as Swaziland , it ’s one of severalcountries that have changed their names .
10. Guinea
Guinea , with its lush landscape and vivacious cultures , is dwelling house to the Fouta Djallon highlands and the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve , a UNESCO World Heritage web site .
11. Guinea-Bissau
Guinea - Bissau , known for its internal parks and wildlife , is a pocket-size West African country with a rich cultural heritage and Lusitanian influence .
12. Lesotho
Lesotho , a high - ALT , landlocked kingdom surrounded by South Africa , is known for its mountainous terrain and rich Basotho culture .
13. Liberia
Liberia , founded by freed Americans who had antecedently been enslaved , has a unique account and culture . The country is roll in the hay for its beautiful coastline and rain forest .
14. Mauritania
Mauritania , largely covered by the Sahara Desert , is get it on for its ancient cities and plenteous chronicle . The Banc d’Arguin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage website famed for its birdlife .
15. Niger
Niger , largely covered by the Sahara Desert , is known for its ancient trade route and the Agadez Mosque . The Niger River is a life line for the area .
16. Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe , an island body politic in the Gulf of Guinea , is known for its profuse rain forest and drinking chocolate yield . The island put up a peaceful retreat with rich biodiversity .
17. Seychelles
Seychelles islands , a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean , is famous for its pristine beaches , coral Witwatersrand , and nature reserves . The island are a popular finish for newlywed .
18. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is known for its diamond mines and persona in the transatlantic slave trade wind . The capital , Freetown , holds a inscrutable diachronic import .
19. South Sudan
South Sudan , the world ’s newest area , gained independency from Sudan in 2011 . Despite on-going conflicts , it is home to vast wetland and diverse wildlife .
20. Sudan
Sudan , with its ancient Pyramid of Meroë and huge desert , has a rich history that is often overlooked . The Nile River also recreate a crucial role in its agriculture and everyday life .
21. Togo
Togo , a small West African country , is known for its medallion - lined beach and hilltop villages . The capital , Lomé , is a vibrant city with a lively market and cultural scene .
22. Western Sahara (Disputed Territory)
Western Sahara , a disputed district in North Africa , is acknowledge for its desert landscapes and rich phosphate deposits . The region ’s condition stay on unresolved , with ongoing engagement over its sovereignty .
We created this article in conjugation with AI technology , then made trusted it was fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
