TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Africa is the second-largest continent in the world consisting of 58 countries. Of the many countries in Africa, 10 are considered the biggest.

The 10 largest countries in Africa offer diversity in terms of natural resources and unique cultural heritage. So, what countries are on the list of the 10 largest countries on the African continent?

Largest Countries in Africa

Citing from the World Population Review website, the following are the largest countries in Africa in terms of land area.

1. Algeria

The first largest country in Africa is Algeria with an area of 2.38 million square kilometers. Around 90 percent of this country is desert. Algeria is rich in history, and culture, and has abundant natural resources including oil and gas. Located in North Africa, this country has a population of 46 million in 2024 where the majority live in the northernmost of Algeria along the Mediterranean coast.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congo has a total land area of 2.34 million square kilometers. As of June 2024, Congo is home to around 105 million people. This country, located in North Africa, is famous for its extensive tropical rainforests, the large Congo River, and its cobalt.

3. Sudan

Sudan is the third largest country located in Northeast Africa. Sudan has an area of 1.86 million square kilometers. The country with the longest river in the world, namely the Nile, has a population of around 49 million as of 2024. Most of Sudan's territory is desert and land.

4. Libya

Located in North Africa, Libya has an area of 1.76 million square kilometers. This country has a population of around 6.9 million people as of 2024. Libya is rich in oil and gas reserves, the main source of its state income. Cities such as Tripoli and Benghazi are the economic and cultural centers of the country.

5. Chad

Chad in Central Africa has the fifth position as one of the largest countries in Africa. Chad’s territory reaches 1.28 million square kilometers and a population of 18 million The country has a diverse topography ranging from deserts in the north to savannas and mountains in the south.

6. Niger

Niger is a land-locked country in West Africa where 80 percent of its territory is desert. This country has an area of 1.27 million square kilometers and is inhabited by around 28 million people as of 2024. Niger relies on subsistence agriculture and uranium mining for its economy.

7. Angola

Angola is a West African country and the seventh-largest country in Africa with an area totaling 1.25 million square kilometers. Around 37 million people inhabit the country and most are living in the western part. Angola is rich in natural resources, including oil, diamonds, and iron ore.

8. Mali

The next largest country in Africa is Mali, which is located in West Africa. Mali is notable for its history as the center of a large empire. With a population of 23 million, Mali is standing on 1.24 million square kilometers of land area. The majority of Mali lives in the southern Sahara desert but, its Niger River is an important route for agriculture and trade.

9. South Africa

South Africa is located at the southernmost of the African continent and has an area of 1.22 million square kilometers. This country has a population of around 60 million as of 2024. South Africa has geographical diversity such as mountains, beaches, and grasslands. It is also known as the country with the most developed economy in Africa.

10. Ethiopia

The 10th largest country in Africa is Ethiopia. Located in the Horn of Africa, this country stands on a land area of around 1.10 square kilometers with a population of around 129 million. Ethiopia has diverse topography, including plateaus, valleys, and large lakes. This country is also the most populous land-locked state in the world.

AULIA ULVA

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