Africa's largest countries by population. Largest countries in Africa by area

Africa occupies 6% of the total area of the Earth and 20% of the entire land surface. The territory of the mainland is divided into 55 states, the population of which does not depend on the size of the area. It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question which country in Africa is the largest. Borders are constantly changing due to political, military, ethnic strife.

Africa ranks 10th globally in terms of scale

Not so long ago, in terms of square meters, Sudan was the leader, but in the interests of a handful of African figures, it was divided. A significant piece of land moved away from him and South Sudan appeared. At present, the People's Democratic Republic of Algiers is the largest territory of the African continent.

The scale of Algeria is impressive - 2,381.7 thousand km². The capital bears the same name in Arabic "Al-Jazair", which means "islands". Once upon a time, islands were located near the settlement, which eventually joined the mainland. The state is located in the northern lands of Africa, the borders pass through:

east side with Tunisia and Libya;
western with Morocco;
southern - Mauritania, Mali, Niger.

The northern borders approach the Mediterranean. The Atlas Mountains and the Algerian Sahara pass through the territory, it is also called the stone desert, tourists have something to admire here. The state language is Arabic, up to 40 million people live, of which a significant part adheres to the Muslim faith.

Algeria completes the list of the ten largest countries in the world, headed by Russia.

7th place in terms of population among the entire planet

Nigeria is the largest in Africa in terms of population, it occupies an honorable 7th place in the world. With an area of 923.7 thousand km², the number of inhabitants is 194 million people. According to the state system, it is a Federal Republic with the main city of Abuja. Located among the western territories of Africa, it borders on:

Benin (west);
Cameroon (east);
Niger (north);
Chadom (northeast).

The main water arteries of the country, the rivers Niger and Benue, divide the territory into two regions:

The main language is English, but the locals speak 400 dialects, the main ones are:

Igbo;
Yoruba;
house.

Among the indigenous inhabitants of Nigeria there are many supporters of African religions, they worship the forces of nature, the cult of ancestors, totemism, fetishism. According to traditional beliefs, the large population of this country was divided as follows:

50% followers of Islam;
40% Christian

The African continent is divided into a huge number of states where people of different nationalities and cultures live. The largest country in Africa in terms of area can accommodate several small European states. And in the largest African country in terms of population, half of the population of Russia could be accommodated.

The largest area

Algeria. This state ranks first in terms of area among the countries of the African continent. The capital bears the same name. Algeria is considered a fairly poor country. However, the economy is based on natural resources - oil and gas. The country has a high unemployment rate - more than 15%. The inability to have a livelihood forces Algerians to leave the country. The new homeland of emigrants most often becomes France.
Congo. By area, the state ranks second on the mainland. The country is rich in minerals. Until 2002, Congo experienced economic decline due to civil war. After the end of hostilities, the country's situation improved significantly. Relations with international ones were renewed.
Sudan. On the territory of the republic, there is an interim constitution created in 2005. The main income of the country comes from agriculture. In addition, Sudan sells oil, which has grown from 2,000 to 49,000 barrels a day in the last 25 years. Despite the fact that the country has experienced significant economic growth since the late 2000s, 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. The unemployment rate exceeds 18%. In 2004, the authorities of the republic granted a special administrative status to the Abyei region. Its territory is controlled by the northern government, but is contested by the southern part of the state. The majority of the population are Arabs. The Kushites, Beja and some other peoples also live on the territory of the state. The literacy rate among the inhabitants of Sudan reaches 71% for men and 50% for women. For the African continent, this is a good indicator.
Libya. During the reign of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya was considered one of the most prosperous countries on the continent. The attitude towards the leader was ambiguous. On the one hand, the population of the country prospered. The state actively supported its citizens. In terms of living standards, Libya could compete with many European countries. All sorts of benefits were provided to young families. On the other hand, Gaddafi was considered a tyrant, limiting the civil liberties of Libyans. Foreigners who came to Libya to work were also limited in their rights.
Chad. In 2008, administrative changes took place in the country. The territory of Chad was divided into 18 prefectures. Previously, the state was divided into 22 regions. The country has not yet completely got rid of the remnants of the colonial past. The policy of the government of the state is gradually becoming unitary. In the second half of the 20th century, the country's foreign policy was focused on resolving conflicts with neighboring states.

The population of Africa is over 1 billion people.
Africa is considered the ancestral home of mankind, because it was on the territory of this continent that the remains of the most ancient species of Homosapiens were discovered. In addition, Africa can be called the birthplace of religions, because in the regions of Africa you can find a huge variety of cultures and religions.
Africa is home to:

Algerian, Moroccan, Sudanese, Egyptian Arabs;
Yoruba;
hausa;
amhara;
other nationalities.

On average, 22 people live per 1 km2, but the most densely populated place on the continent is the island of Mauritius (about 500 people live per 1 km2), and Libya is the least populated (1-2 people live per 1 km2).
The northern part of the African continent is inhabited by the peoples of the Indo-Mediterranean race, south of the Sahara is inhabited by the peoples of the Negro-Australoid race (they are divided into 3 small races - Negro, Negril, Bushman), and the northeast of Africa is inhabited by the peoples of the Ethiopian race.
There is no official language in Africa: they are the languages of groups that have lived in this territory for a long time. The main ones are the Afrosian, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Kordofan, Khoisan, Indo-European language families. But the actual language is English.
Large African cities: Lagos (Nigeria), Cairo (Egypt), Alexandria (Egypt), Casablanca (Morocco), Kinshasa (Congo), Nairobi (Kenya).
The population of Africa professes Islam, Christianity, Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism.

Lifespan

Africans live on average 50 years.
The African continent is characterized by rather low life expectancy rates (on average, people in the world live up to 65 years).
Tunisia and Libya are leaders: here people live on average up to 73 years, residents of Central and East Africa - up to 43 years, and Zambia and Zimbabwe scored the lowest - here people live only 32-33 years (this is due to the widespread spread of AIDS) .
Low life expectancy is due to outbreaks of epidemics: people die not only from HIV / AIDS, but also from tuberculosis. And children often die from measles, malaria and malnutrition.
Health problems largely depend on the lack of medical workers (doctors and nurses flock to developed countries).

Traditions and customs of the peoples of Africa

An integral part of the customs and traditions of the peoples of Africa are shamans with supernatural powers and unique knowledge. All rituals are performed by shamans in special masks, which can be made in the form of the head of a non-existent animal or monster.
Africa has its own ideals of female beauty: beautiful women here are those that have long necks, so they hang rings on their necks and never take them off (otherwise the woman will die, because the neck loses muscle due to wearing hoops).
Africa is a hot and wild continent: despite the fact that today planes fly to all its corners, it is still a mysterious land of alluring dreams for us.

The article forms an idea of the largest country on the African continent. Provides an explanation of what factors influenced the placement of African countries in the ranking. The article contains interesting facts about Algeria and its history.

Africa's largest country by area

The largest country in Africa is Algeria. A more accurate name is the Algerian People's Democratic Republic.

Rice. 1. Algeria on the map.

Its area is 2,381,740 sq. km. In terms of its area, the state occupies a leading position among the largest countries in Africa and 10th in the world. There is no country larger than Algeria on the continent. Sand, as well as rocky plateaus and mountains occupy 4/5 of the entire area of the settlement. Humans tend to inhabit the oases of the Sahara. Between the oases one can often meet the nomadic Berbers. The highest density of territories inhabited by people is located in the coastal zone from the sea to the Atlas Mountains. The concentration of the population in this area is 93%.

Nigeria is recognized as the largest country in terms of population on the mainland. Its population exceeds 186 million people! Ethiopia is second on this list.

Rice. 2. Nigeria on the map.

History of African states

The territories where the Berber tribes lived since ancient times were once conquered by conquerors from Arab and Asian countries. The descendants of these people live there today. Therefore, Arabic is recognized as the official language of these places.

Until recently, Sudan was considered the largest country in Africa.

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Rice. 3. Sudan on the map.

But in the course of political and military actions, an impressive fragment broke away from the country. Today this part is referred to as South Sudan. As a result of the military-political actions that took place on the territory of Sudan in the past.

Algeria is the largest country in Africa.
The second place in the ranking of African countries is firmly secured by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The third position is given to Sudan.

Algeria is a country with unique climatic conditions.

Nature here is quite diverse and specific. On the territory of the state there is a desert, mountains, lakes and the sea. There are also forests with a variety of vegetation. In summer the temperature can reach up to +50°, and in winter it even snows in some areas.

More than a dozen (12) countries in Africa are members of the club of countries larger than one million square kilometers.

The overall population level in African countries is steadily increasing. According to conservative estimates, the figure has already crossed the billion mark. This figure is 15% of the total population of the Earth.

On the territory of Algeria there is not a single church that professes Orthodoxy. The latter was closed due to the almost complete absence of parishioners.

Top 10 most dangerous countries for tourists to visit in Africa. Africa is the birthplace of humanity, a place where you can plunge into the real beauty of wildlife, but at the same time, visiting many African countries is associated with a great risk to life.

Once the most prosperous and richest state in Africa, in which the human development index was equal to some European countries, today it exists only on the map. In 2010, Muammar Gaddafi abandoned the development of chemical and nuclear weapons. And already in 2011, a civil war provoked from outside began in the country, during which the rebels were supported by the countries of NATO and the European Union. Support was both in the form of funding and direct participation of troops and aviation. October 2011 Muammar Gaddafi was killed, and power passed to a temporary body of power - the Transitional National Council. In August 2012, after the elections of the General National Congress, power passes to the legitimate authority.

Despite the full financial and military support of the uprising from the United States, almost immediately after the overthrow of Gaddafi, the US ambassador to Libya was torn to pieces.

Despite the overthrow of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, the power of official authorities extends only to the territory of Tripoli and the surrounding areas. The rest of the country is divided into several quasi-states - autonomous regions with their own authorities and the army. The Fezzan region, the Western Mountains region, the Benghazi region, and the city-state of Misurata have a high degree of autonomy. At the same time, the cities of Bani Walid and Sirte were devastated for supporting the Gaddafi regime. Safety for a traveler in Libya depends on the region where he is going. Only Tripoli can be considered relatively safe. In other parts of the country, armed attacks and kidnappings often occur; it is not for nothing that in ancient times the territory of Libya and coastal waters were considered the most dangerous in terms of pirate attacks. There are many stories from people about constant torture and sexual abuse in various camps and prisons almost throughout the country.

Despite the significant security threat, there are people who still strive to get to Libya, as there are many architectural monuments of the ancient period and the period of the Roman Empire on its territory. These are the cities of Cyrene, Apollo, Sirtica (Leptis Magna), Sabrafa. In the Tadrart-Acacus mountains, you can see samples of ancient rock art. In the southwest of the country is the oasis of Ghadames.

Somalia is best known as a country of pirates. Indeed, attacks on ships still occur in coastal waters. Since 1991, a civil war has been going on in Somalia, which led to the division of the country into five independent territories (Somaliland, Puntland, Maakhir, Galmudug and Northern Somalia), which are controlled by the heads of paramilitary groups. There is no central authority in Somalia, and the political situation is characterized as chaos. Somaliland is considered the most prosperous, but even there, armed guards are required to visit the Laas Gaal cave.

Rare travelers in the country are threatened with armed attack, kidnapping for ransom, mine explosions, capture by pirates, etc.

Somalia is the second most intolerant country in the world after North Korea for Christians. The majority of the population professes Islam (Sunni Muslims), and in the country, instead of secular laws, Sharia laws apply. It is especially dangerous for women to be in Somalia.

Among the circumstances that can attract tourists are the most beautiful untouched beaches and diving sites. It should be borne in mind that it is forbidden for women to be without clothes on the beach. In addition to the beaches in Somalia, Laas Gaal caves are of particular interest, where rock paintings dating back 10 thousand years have been preserved almost in their original form. Most of the territory of Somalia, due to objective circumstances, has not yet been explored.

Somalia video. Sea monsters in the fish market.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo

A country in Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to IMF data for 2012, is the poorest in the world. In addition to poverty and an unstable political situation in the country, there are constant conflicts between tribes and communities, which often have a bloody character. Even in the 21st century, cases of cannibalism have been recorded in the Congo, there is the highest level of rape of women, there is sexual slavery.

Moving around the Congo, especially on your own, is extremely dangerous. Tourists can become involved in clashes between tribes, many of which are armed, or fall prey to street robbers especially greedy for gold. Tourists can be robbed by both criminals and ordinary residents or street boys, for whom it is normal to remove gold and valuables from a visitor. The corruption of the police is also huge. If you were stopped by a policeman, then with a probability of 90% you got money, at best.

Despite this, the Congo is still visited by travelers, mainly because of the country's two unique attractions.

1. Volcano Nyiragongo

2.Mountain gorillas, which, in addition to the Congo, live in only two other countries in Uganda and Rwanda.

In Sudan, for a long time, as a result of the conditional division of borders and ignoring the ethnic component, a civil war was waged. Since 2011, the once unified country has been divided into two states - directly Sudan and South Sudan. In both states, the remaining armed formations continue the confrontation. According to international data, Sudan is the last refuge for terrorists who have fled from other countries. The situation in the province of Darfur, where ethnic cleansing continues, remains very tense. A large number of the country's inhabitants are forced to emigrate to the neighboring state of Chad. There is a dispute between Sudan and South Sudan over the Abyei region, where a large amount of oil is produced.

In Sudan, radical armed groups have not stopped their activities, which have strengthened their influence during the civil war. Each territory of Sudan has its own laws, and in some areas (majority of the country's territory), tourists are prohibited from entering. Anyone who breaks the ban can face any danger.

Sudan has access to the Red Sea. In the seaside area there are excellent beaches with golden sand. But in a Muslim country, it is not advisable for women to show themselves on the beaches without outerwear. Pirate ships ply in coastal waters. Of the attractions in Sudan, many tourists tend to see the Meroe pyramids, the Nubian desert, and the Jebel Marra mountains.

5. CAR Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is one of the most unstable and dangerous countries in Africa. As of 2018, government forces control only 2/3 of the country's territory. The country has been practically in a state of civil war for 60 years. One of the strongest bursts of violence occurred in 2013-2014. There was a massacre between Christians and Muslims. Several tens of thousands of people died. The average income of the population is 400-700 dollars a year, many live on less than $ 1 per day in the equivalent of local currency. In view of this, there is a very large rampant crime, and local law enforcement agencies almost do not work. A person can be killed first and then see if he has anything in his pockets. In the summer of 2018, three Russian journalists who worked on the instructions of Mikhail Khodorkovsky were killed in the Central African Republic.

In Algeria, the fragile order is maintained through constant military suppression of uprisings and the prosecution of terrorist (al-Qaeda affiliated) and fundamentalist (religious Islamic) groups. Not infrequently in the country, including at airports and hotels, explosions rumble and gunfire is heard. Particularly dangerous is participation or observation of demonstrations.

This behavior of the authorities can be understood, the memory of the civil war from the very end of 1980 to 2000 is still fresh. About the reasons for the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) unleashed - that was the name of the party that won the elections at that time - this war no less disastrous for the country (in terms of the number of victims) than the struggle for National Liberation (1954-1962) with French colonialism. Contemporaries of those events say that human heads hanging on poles were commonplace.

A relatively safe area of Algeria is the north of the country - the Mediterranean coast and the Atlas Mountains. The Sahara desert is considered a dangerous territory, where it is not recommended to travel on your own. The trip can only be made together with an organized tourist group and under reliable protection. The danger of moving across the Sahara is the same as in the neighboring countries of Tunisia or Morocco.

In no case should you intentionally or unintentionally offend the feelings of local residents. The country has a ban on photographing local residents, and especially photographing women and the military.

Zimbabwe has a totalitarian presidential regime Robert Mugabe, who is currently the oldest head of state (he is 93 years old). The reforms he carried out in agriculture, which implied the expropriation of the possessions of "white" owners, led to devastation, inflation and unemployment. The unemployment rate among the adult population was 95%, and the inflation rate in 2008 was . record in the world - 231 million%. The rise in inflation continues to this day.

Both robbers and gangs, as well as policemen, pose a great danger to tourists. It is very dangerous to be on someone else's territory, because the owner can easily shoot a stranger. Due to the shortage of fuel and rising prices for it, the middle of Zimbabwe can be without transport. There are very frequent cases of mine explosions. The main thing that can attract tourists to Zimbabwe is the numerous nature reserves and national parks. The famous Victoria Falls are located on the territory of this country.

The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria, has gathered more than 200 ethnic groups in its cordons. Clashes often occur between them, which greatly hinders the establishment of stability in the country. Many insurgents in Nigeria are at war with government forces. Frequent clashes between gangs, rebels and government troops occur in the regions of Delta, Bakassi and Bayelsa. Here, civilians and foreigners are often kidnapped.

In addition to the risk of armed attack, tourists in Nigeria are at risk of contracting yellow fever, AIDS or other dangerous diseases.

Kenya is the country of African safari. This type of entertainment is especially popular among tourists. But the walk may not be as safe as it seemed at first glance. Most of the country's population lives very poorly, which provokes them to robbery and theft. Kenya has a high rate of AIDS. Residents of the capital Nairobi and other parts of the country are very rarely seen smiling. The streets are full of beggars and pickpockets. The Kibera slum area in Nairobi is considered especially dangerous. Some guides can arrange an excursion to this area, but no one will give guarantees of safety.

Also among local tribes in areas remote from large cities. armed conflicts occur from time to time, mainly over livestock. Despite the unprecedented security measures taken by the authorities in the country, terrorist attacks periodically occur in large crowded places.

From the beginning of the struggle for independence from Portugal (1950s) to the present day, Angola has been restless. For a long time, with the support of the USSR and Cuba, the country followed the communist path of development. After the collapse of the USSR, the ruling party reoriented itself towards the United States and began to carry out market reforms. But until now, armed confrontations between the official authorities and the opposition continue in the country. Violent persecution of members of opposition parties is observed. Under the slogan of preserving the "spiritual and cultural heritage" of Angola, mosques are being demolished in the country.

In addition to constant armed confrontations, protests, speeches, there are significant problems in the economy in Angola. There is a high level of poverty, unemployment, hunger, rampant crime. Since the war, a lot of weapons have been preserved in the country, some territories are mined. In some areas (especially in the Cabinda region), terrorist groups are widespread, which can attack both the police and civilians and tourists. In the capital of Angola, Luanda, street thefts are common. In public transport, wallets, bags, mobile phones are often stolen. In broad daylight, and especially at night, robberies often occur. On the road it is better not to stop anywhere.

One of the most non-touristic countries in the world, below it in the ranking, only a few countries. During a certain period, the Al-Qaeda terrorist group, which kidnapped several tourists, was widely spread in certain regions of the country in Atar, where the cities of Ouadan and Chingitti are located under the protection of UNESCO. As a result of attacks on civilians, including the killing of four French tourists in 2007, the Dakar Rally, which passed through Mauritania, was moved to South America in 2009. In addition, slavery still exists in the country