Have you ever tried to name all the countries in Africa? It’s harder than you think! With 54 diverse nations spanning the second-largest continent, Africa is home to over 1.3 billion people. Whether you’re an aspiring geographer, planning a trip across the continent, or you just want to test your knowledge of the world, this complete list of African countries and their capitals is an awesome resource. From Algeria to Zimbabwe, we’ve got every African nation covered. With this guide, you’ll be able to impress your friends and expand your knowledge of this remarkable continent.
Overview of African Countries
Africa is home to 54 independent countries recognized by the United Nations. These countries make up the African continent geographically located in the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Many of these African countries were colonized by European countries like Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal during the era of colonialism and gained independence in the mid-20th century.
African countries are subdivided into the following:
North Africa
The northern region of Africa borders the Mediterranean Sea and is home to countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. Egypt’s capital and largest city is Cairo, a bustling metropolis in the Nile River valley that is home to iconic landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Heading west, Morocco’s capital is Rabat, a port city on the Atlantic coast.
West Africa
West African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire were once home to powerful kingdoms and are now diverse, populous nations. Nigeria’s capital is Abuja, a planned city built in the 1980s. Accra is the capital of Ghana, a coastal city with a vibrant nightlife, beaches, and historical forts from its colonial past. Yamoussoukro is the official capital of Côte d’Ivoire, though its largest city remains the port of Abidjan.
East Africa
East African nations like Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia are known for stunning natural landscapes, including Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Rift Valley. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya, a modern city often called the “Silicon Savannah” for its growing tech scene. Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, sits at over 7,000 feet in elevation, giving it a comfortable climate and lush greenery.
Southern Africa
The southern region includes South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana, home to sprawling savannas and the Kalahari desert. Pretoria is the executive capital of South Africa, its judicial capital is Bloemfontein, and its legislative capital is Cape Town. Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, sits in a highland valley, a fast-growing city in the center of the country. Gaborone is the capital of Botswana, a city in the southeast of the country near the border with South Africa.
Central Africa
Central Africa contains countries like Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. The central African countries have tropical rainforests and were colonized by France, Belgium, and Spain. There are more than 700 languages spoken in central Africa by over 150 million people.
In summary, Africa’s 54 diverse countries contain over 1.3 billion people, accounting for roughly 17.89% of the world’s population. The African continent is rich in natural resources and has stunning geographical diversity, with deserts, jungles, savannas, and coastlines along the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
African Countries and Their Capitals
Africa is home to 54 countries, each with a unique culture, history, and people. Africa is also known for its vast natural resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. Every country also has an administrative capital city, where the government is centered. Learning about these African nations and capitals can help give you a better sense of this diverse continent.
Here is a list of African countries their capital cities:
African Countries | Capitals |
---|---|
Algeria | Algiers |
Angola | Luanda |
Benin | Porto-Novo |
Botswana | Gaborone |
Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou |
Burundi | Bujumbura |
Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) | Praia |
Cameroon | Yaoundé |
Central African Republic | Bangui |
Chad | N’Djamena |
Comoros | Moroni |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kinshasa |
Republic of the Congo | Brazzaville |
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | Yamoussoukro (official), Abidjan (de facto) |
Djibouti | Djibouti |
Egypt | Cairo |
Equatorial Guinea | Malabo |
Eritrea | Asmara |
Eswatini (Swaziland) | Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (royal and legislative) |
Ethiopia | Addis Ababa |
Gabon | Libreville |
Gambia | Banjul |
Ghana | Accra |
Guinea | Conakry |
Guinea-Bissau | Bissau |
Kenya | Nairobi |
Lesotho | Maseru |
Liberia | Monrovia |
Libya | Tripoli |
Madagascar | Antananarivo |
Malawi | Lilongwe |
Mali | Bamako |
Mauritania | Nouakchott |
Mauritius | Port Louis |
Morocco | Rabat |
Mozambique | Maputo |
Namibia | Windhoek |
Niger | Niamey |
Nigeria | Abuja |
Rwanda | Kigali |
Sao Tome and Principe | Sao Tome |
Senegal | Dakar |
Seychelles | Victoria |
Sierra Leone | Freetown |
Somalia | Mogadishu |
South Africa | Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial) |
South Sudan | Juba |
Sudan | Khartoum |
Tanzania | Dodoma (official), Dar es Salaam (de facto) |
Togo | Lomé |
Tunisia | Tunis |
Uganda | Kampala |
Zambia | Lusaka |
Zimbabwe | Harare |
Whether you’re planning a trip to Africa or just want to improve your geography knowledge, familiarizing yourself with the countries and capitals in Africa is useful. This region includes everything from the tropics to the Kalahari desert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have some questions about the countries and capitals of Africa? Here are some of the most common FAQs to help you out.
How many countries are in Africa?
Africa consists of 54 sovereign countries. It is the second largest continent in the world in terms of both area and population. The countries in Africa range in size from small island nations like Seychelles and Mauritius to massive countries like Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What are some of the largest countries?
Some of the largest African countries by area include:
- Algeria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Sudan
- Libya
- Chad
What are some of the smallest African countries?
Some of the smallest countries by area include:
- Seychelles
- Mauritius
- Rwanda
- Burundi
- Gambia
Where are most of the capitals in Africa located?
Most African capitals are located within the interior of the country, though some major capitals like Cairo, Egypt and Cape Town, South Africa are located along the coast. In general, capitals tend to be located centrally within the country.
How diverse are the languages and cultures?
Africa is home to over 1 billion people who speak over 3,000 languages. The continent contains a vast diversity of ethnic groups, cultures, and languages.
This diversity of cultures, ethnic groups, and languages contributes to the richness of the African continent. Understanding this diversity is key to understanding Africa.
Conclusion
So there you have it, all the countries in Africa and their capitals. What an amazing continent with so much diversity, history, and culture packed into 54 nations. Now that you’ve seen the full list, you can test yourself to see how many you already know or can remember for next time. Whether you’re an aspiring geography whiz or are planning a trip across Africa, this quick guide gives you the essential info you need on each country and its capital city.
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