Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, both behind Asia. Africa’s total land area surpasses 11,724,000 square miles (30,365,000 square kilometers), accounting for roughly one-fifth of the Earth’s total land surface.
The Equator divides Africa roughly evenly; hence, the majority of the continent is in the tropical zone.
Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, is home to 54 recognized countries, each contributing to the beauty of the continent’s immensity.
However, a few nations grab attention due to their sheer size, impacting the direction of regional and global affairs. Africa offers it all, from searing deserts to dense rainforests, towering mountains to boundless plains, a true presentation of its geographical wealth.
According to Statista data, the following are the ten largest African countries by land mass:
1. Algeria (2,381, 741 sq.km)
As Africa’s largest country, more than 80% of which is desert, it is located in North Africa, between Morocco and Tunisia. Algeria, which dominates the North African geography, is known for its numerous landscapes, which include the Sahara Desert, mountains, and a Mediterranean coastline.
2. Democratic Republic of Congo (2,344,860 sq.km)
3. Sudan (1,878,000 sq.km)
4. Libya (1,759,540 sq.km)
5. Chad (1,284,000 sq.km)
Chad, Africa’s fifth-largest country, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of North and Central Africa. The Sahara Desert in the north, the Sahel region in the south, and the rich Lake Chad basin in the southwest make up its diversified geography. The country’s vast land area is critical to its economic operations such as agriculture and oil extraction.
6. Niger (1,267,000 sq.km)
Niger, located in West Africa, is the largest country in the region. The landscape include the Sahara Desert in the north, savannas in the south, and the Niger River basin in the southwest. The landmass of Niger is essential to its primarily agrarian economy.
7. Angola (1,246,700 sq.km)
Angola is the seventh-largest country in Africa, located in southwestern Africa. It is comparable in size to Mali, or twice the size of France or Texas, and has a diverse geography that includes a long coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, plateaus, and the Congo River basin. The geography of Angola has contributed to its economic importance, mainly through oil and diamond exports.
8. Mali (1,240,190 sq.km)
Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, located in West Africa. The majority of the country, which is comparable in area to South Africa or Angola, is located in the southern Sahara Desert. The Niger River basin and the Sudanese savanna are two of the country’s numerous ecosystems. Mali’s huge land area is historically significant since it served as a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade routes and the Mali Empire.
9. South Africa (1,219,090 sq.km)
South Africa, located near the continent’s southernmost extremity, has a varied terrain that includes mountains, savannas, and coastal areas along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is larger than every country in Europe except Russia and every state in the United States save Alaska. South Africa’s landmass is an important component of its economic strength, supporting businesses such as mining, agriculture, and tourism.
10. Ethiopia (1,136, 240 sq.km)
Ethiopia, Africa’s tenth largest country, has a considerable presence in East Africa. The country is nearly the size of France and Spain combined, and it is five times the size of the United Kingdom. The Ethiopian Highlands, the Great Rift Valley, and lowland areas make up the terrain.