Top 10 Largest African Countries by Area and Easy Memory Tricks
Looking for the complete list of African countries by area? Or maybe you wonder which country is the absolute biggest (hint: it’s not Egypt!)? If Africa’s huge landmass seems puzzling, you’re in the right place. Let’s unlock the fun with land area, rankings, regions, and some super-easy tricks to help you remember them all. This friendly Vedantu guide is perfect for CBSE, UPSC, SSC, and anyone curious about Africa’s geography!
Africa: The Continent of Land Giants!
Why Is Africa So Big and How Is It Divided?
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent by area, just behind Asia. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea in the north all the way to the southern tips near the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Africa has 54 countries, but just a handful cover most of the land! These big countries are spread into regions like North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and a few Indian Ocean islands. Understanding these regions helps you ace map-based and general knowledge questions in your exams.
How Did African Countries Get Their Borders?
Most African countries’ borders were drawn by European colonial powers in the late 1800s and early 1900s, not always following natural mountains or rivers. After independence, most countries kept these borders. Today, these lines decide each nation’s land area, so even small countries like Seychelles are easy to spot on a map!
Why Does Area Matter? Exam Magic and Geography Fun
Why Do We Learn African Countries by Area?
Area tells us how big each African country is – from the monster-sized Algeria to the tiny Seychelles. In exams like CBSE, SSC, and UPSC, questions often ask you to pick the largest, smallest, or region-wise countries, or compare Africa’s total area with other continents. Knowing these facts also helps you quickly solve map and matching questions.
- Big countries often mean more natural resources.
- Smaller nations may have unique cultures and environments.
- Area rankings are different from population rankings!
- Regions help you break down big lists into friendly chunks.
Area vs Population – Don’t Mix Them Up!
Some African countries, like Nigeria, have massive populations but are not the biggest by area. For GK, remember: Area = how much land; Population = how many people. Both matter for different questions! For UPSC and CBSE, focus on both, but area is the key for map and geography rounds.
The Full List: African Countries by Area
All 54 African Countries Ranked by Size (2024)
Here is an updated table showing all African countries in order by their area (latest 2024 data), along with their region, population estimate, and capital city. Algeria wins the size race, while Seychelles is the smallest.
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) | Region | Population (2024 est.) | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 2,381,741 | North Africa | 45 million | Algiers |
| 2 | Democratic Republic of Congo | 2,344,858 | Central Africa | 102 million | Kinshasa |
| 3 | Sudan | 1,886,068 | North-East | 48 million | Khartoum |
| 4 | Libya | 1,759,541 | North Africa | 6.9 million | Tripoli |
| 5 | Chad | 1,284,000 | Central | 18 million | N’Djamena |
| 6 | Niger | 1,267,000 | West Africa | 27 million | Niamey |
| 7 | Angola | 1,246,700 | Southern | 36 million | Luanda |
| 8 | Mali | 1,240,192 | West Africa | 22 million | Bamako |
| 9 | South Africa | 1,221,037 | Southern | 60 million | Pretoria |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 1,104,300 | East Africa | 127 million | Addis Ababa |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 53 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 964 | Central Africa | 231,000 | São Tomé |
| 54 | Seychelles | 459 | East Africa | 107,000 | Victoria |
Want the complete list as a PDF for revision? Download it here!
How to Remember the Top 10 Africa Countries by Area?
Try this simple mnemonic: “A Daring Student Likes Challenging New Adventures Most Sundays Early Morning”, for: Algeria, DR Congo, Sudan, Libya, Chad, Niger, Angola, Mali, South Africa, Ethiopia.
Fun Competition: Africa vs. USA – Who’s Bigger?
Area Showdown!
Many people think the USA is massive. But Africa is more than 3 times larger! Africa’s total land area is about 30,370,000 km², while America is only about 9,834,000 km². Africa wins this size contest easily. This is a common exam question, so remember: Africa is HUGE!
| Continent/Country | Area (km²) |
|---|---|
| Africa | 30,370,000 |
| USA | 9,834,000 |
Regions of Africa: Which Group Is Largest?
Grouping by Regions Helps You Crack Trick Questions!
| Region | Sample Countries |
|---|---|
| North Africa | Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia |
| West Africa | Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso |
| Central Africa | DR Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, CAR, Chad |
| East Africa | Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia |
| Southern Africa | South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe |
| Horn of Africa | Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti |
| Indian Ocean Islands | Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius |
North Africa has the largest area, mainly thanks to Algeria, Libya, and Sudan. Use region groups to master tricky map-based questions!
Fast Facts Table: Africa’s Area at a Glance!
| Feature | What It Means | Fun to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Largest Country | Algeria (2.38 million km²) | Bigger than India! |
| Smallest Country | Seychelles (459 km²) | Almost 5 times smaller than Delhi! |
| Number of Countries | 54 | More than any other continent except Asia |
| Total Africa Area | 30.3 million km² | 3x the USA |
| Largest Region | North Africa | Many deserts |
| Most Populated (Not Largest by Area!) | Nigeria | 200+ million people |
Sample Questions: Ready for Exam Practice?
Example Q&A: Test Your Knowledge!
Q: Name the three largest African countries by area.
Answer: Algeria (2,381,741 km²), Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,344,858 km²), and Sudan (1,886,068 km²).
- Which African country is the smallest by area?
- Africa is divided into how many regions for geography GK?
- Is South Africa in the top 5 biggest African countries by land?
How did you do? Keep practicing with Vedantu’s free geography quizzes!
Oops! Common Mix-ups in Exam Questions
- Mixing up population with area (e.g., Nigeria is most populated, but Algeria is largest by land).
- Forgetting island nations (like Seychelles or Comoros) in the list.
- Thinking the USA is bigger than Africa (it’s not!).
Bonus: Top 10 List for Speedy Revision
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 2,381,741 |
| 2 | DR Congo | 2,344,858 |
| 3 | Sudan | 1,886,068 |
| 4 | Libya | 1,759,541 |
| 5 | Chad | 1,284,000 |
| 6 | Niger | 1,267,000 |
| 7 | Angola | 1,246,700 |
| 8 | Mali | 1,240,192 |
| 9 | South Africa | 1,221,037 |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 1,104,300 |
Extra FAQs – Doubts Sorted!
Is the USA bigger than Africa?
No! Africa’s area is more than three times bigger than the USA.
What is the smallest country in Africa?
Seychelles, with only 459 km² of land.
Which is Africa’s largest region by land?
North Africa, led by Algeria and Sudan.
Exam Season! Questions on African Area in CBSE, UPSC, SSC
| Exam | Typical Questions | GK Relevance Level |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE 10 | Map-based, Identify largest/smallest country, Africa region mapping | High |
| UPSC Pre | MCQs on largest by area, matching countries to regions | High |
| SSC | Direct MCQs, area/population, match the list | Moderate-High |
Need more practice? Check the major mountain ranges of the world and major deserts lists for tricky geography combos!
Your Friendly Africa-Area Wrap-up!
Now you’re a champion of African countries by area! Remember: Algeria is the biggest, Seychelles is the tiniest, North Africa leads in land, and Africa easily beats the USA in total size. Use region tricks, smart mnemonics, and those fun tables for fast exam recall.
Before your next quiz, practice matching country names, capitals, and land area. Link what you learn here with other topics like national parks or ICC presidents for even deeper GK skills—exclusively with Vedantu!
Final Exam Tip: Focus on the top 10 by area, the smallest country, groupings, and Africa vs. world facts – and you’re set for any competitive exam!
Prepared by the Vedantu GK/Geography Team (CBSE/UPSC/SSC Experts, 2025). This page stays updated with the latest exam-focused facts!
FAQs on List of African Countries by Area (2024): Area-Wise Ranking & Facts
1. What is the largest country in Africa by area?
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area, covering about 2,381,741 square kilometres.
Key facts for exams:
- Algeria is located in North Africa.
- It is followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan in area size.
- Remember the order for geography-based map and GK questions.
2. How many countries are there in Africa?
There are 54 countries in Africa as per the latest international recognition.
Exam pointers:
- These are recognized by the United Nations and commonly listed in competitive exams, including CBSE, UPSC, and SSC.
- Africa is the continent with the second-highest number of countries after Asia.
3. What are the top 10 largest African countries by area?
The top 10 largest African countries by area are:
- Algeria (2,381,741 km²)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,344,858 km²)
- Sudan (1,886,068 km²)
- Libya (1,759,541 km²)
- Chad (1,284,000 km²)
- Niger (1,267,000 km²)
- Angola (1,246,700 km²)
- Mali (1,240,192 km²)
- South Africa (1,221,037 km²)
- Ethiopia (1,104,300 km²)
These rankings are essential for map-based and direct MCQs in exams.
4. Is the USA bigger than Africa?
No, Africa is much larger than the USA.
- Africa's area: 30,370,000 km²
- USA's area: 9,834,000 km²
So, Africa is more than three times the size of the USA, which is often asked in GK and geography sections of competitive exams.
5. Which is the smallest country in Africa?
Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa, with an area of only 459 km².
Seychelles is an island nation in the Indian Ocean and is important for map-based questions and MCQs on continental extremes.
6. Why are African countries grouped by region?
African countries are grouped by region for geographical clarity, easier memorization, and exam mapping.
For exams, the main regions of Africa are:
- North Africa
- West Africa
- Central Africa
- East Africa
- Southern Africa
7. What is the main difference between ranking African nations by area and by population?
Ranking by area measures the total land mass, while ranking by population counts the number of people living in the country.
- Area rankings are crucial for geography and map questions.
- Population rankings are used for demographics and socio-economic questions.
- For exams like UPSC and CBSE, both rankings may be tested, but area is more relevant for map-based questions.
8. What are some tricks to remember the largest African countries by area?
A useful mnemonic is: A Daring Student Likes Challenging New Adventures Most Sundays Early Morning.
This stands for:
- Algeria
- DR Congo
- Sudan
- Libya
- Chad
- Niger
- Angola
- Mali
- South Africa
- Ethiopia
9. Which African region has the greatest land area?
North Africa is the region with the largest land area due to the presence of large countries like Algeria, Sudan, and Libya.
For map-based and region-wise matching questions, always learn major countries in each region.
10. Where can I get a PDF of African countries by area for exam revision?
You can find a downloadable PDF list of all 54 African countries by area on reputable educational platforms, exam portals, and official geography study materials.
These PDFs include:
- Country names
- Area in square kilometres
- Regions and capitals
- Useful for last-minute exam revision and MCQ preparation
11. What exam questions are commonly asked about African countries by area?
Typical exam questions include:
- Identify the largest/smallest African country by area
- Match country to region
- Map labeling based on size
- Comparisons between Africa, USA, and Asia
12. What is the area of Africa compared to other continents?
Africa covers about 30,370,000 km², making it the second largest continent after Asia.
Comparison for exams:
- Asia is the largest
- Africa is second
- It is over three times the size of the USA
