Africa ranks as the second-largest and second-most populous continent in the world. It is home to diverse cultures, languages and ecosystems. It has a very rich history. So back to the question, how many countries are their in Africa?
As of now, Africa comprises of 54 recognized sovereign states.
We will take a closer look at the number of countries in Africa and provide a list of all of them.
Understanding the African Continent
Africa spans over 30 million square kilometers (about 11.7 million square miles). It is made up of 54 countries. Each of this country has its own distinct culture, language, and history.
The continent is known for its incredible biodiversity. It’s vast deserts (such as the Sahara), rainforests, and a variety of landscapes. It is also home to over 1.4 billion people. Over 2,000 languages spoken in Africa.
Regions in Africa
The 54 African countries are grouped into five regions:
1. North Africa
2. West Africa
3. Central Africa
4. East Africa
5. Southern Africa
Each of these regions contains a unique set of countries that contribute to the rich tapestry of African culture, history, and geography.
The 54 African Countries
Below is a comprehensive list of the 54 recognized sovereign states of Africa, divided by their respective regions.
A . North Africa
1. Algeria
2. Egypt
3. Libya
4. Mauritania
5. Morocco
6. Sudan
7. Tunisia
8. Western Sahara(disputed territory, claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
B. West Africa
1. Benin
2. Burkina Faso
3. Cape Verde
4. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
5. Gambia
6. Ghana
7. Guinea
8. Guinea-Bissau
9. Liberia
10. Mali
11. Mauritania
12. Niger
13. Nigeria
14. Senegal
15. Sierra Leone
16. Togo
C . Central Africa
1. Angola
2. Cameroon
3. Central African Republic
4. Chad
5. Republic of the Congo
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo
7. Equatorial Guinea
8. Gabon
9. São Tomé and Príncipe
D. East Africa
1. Burundi
2. Comoros
3. Djibouti
4. Eritrea
5. Ethiopia
6. Kenya
7. Madagascar
8. Malawi
9. Mauritius
10. Mozambique
11. Rwanda
12. Seychelles
13. Somalia
14. South Sudan
15. Tanzania
16. Uganda
17. Zanzibar (part of Tanzania, though it operates under a semi-autonomous government)
E. Southern Africa
1. Angola
2. Botswana
3. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
4. Lesotho
5. Malawi
6. Mozambique
7. Namibia
8. South Africa
9. Zambia
10. Zimbabwe
Countries with Disputed Recognition
There are also territories in Africa whose sovereignty is disputed. One of the key examples is “Western Sahara” which is claimed by Morocco but is also recognized by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in certain parts of the world.
While Morocco administers the area, the United Nations has not granted full sovereignty to Morocco, and the issue remains unresolved.
Territories with Disputed Recognition
1. Western Sahara(disputed by Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
Keys for counting African Country Membership
Here are some of the factors that we look at when counting African country membership
United Nations Membership: All 54 countries in Africa are members of the United Nations, except for Western Sahara, which is not a member.
Territorial Disputes: As mentioned, some regions within Africa have territorial disputes (e.g., Western Sahara), which affect the count in some geopolitical contexts.
Semi-Autonomous Regions: Some regions, like Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania), are sometimes considered separately in various contexts, but they do not count as independent sovereign states.
Conclusion
Africa is home to 54 recognized countries, each with its own unique identity, culture, and challenges.
The continent has a remarkable history of civilization and continues to grow and evolve on the global stage. Whether in the deserts of the Sahara or the rainforests of the Congo, the diversity of Africa is reflected not only in its geography but in its vast array of nations.
Understanding the number of countries in Africa is essential to appreciating its geopolitical landscape, but it’s also a gateway to learning about the continent’s rich cultures, languages, and histories.
As global dynamics shift, it’s important to stay informed and aware of the ongoing changes in territorial governance, especially with disputed territories like Western Sahara.
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