What is the biggest country in Africa?

There are 54 internationally recognized countries in Africa. The largest African country by area is Algeria. Also in the top three are the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.  

Here’s how the list of the largest African countries with an area exceeding 1 million square kilometers (621,371 sq mi) looks. The figures are sourced from the UN statistical database, except for Sudan, whose data we took from the CIA World Factbook. 

Next on the list is Tanzania in eastern Africa, with an area of 947,303 km² (365,756 mi²).

What are the largest countries in Africa?

Let’s take a look at the top five largest African countries by area.

1. Algeria — the largest country in Africa

Algeria is located in northwestern Africa, in a region known as the Maghreb. The official language is Arabic, and the predominant religion is Islam. Geographically, Algeria belongs to continental Africa, but culturally and historically, it is part of the Arab world. In the past, the country also experienced significant European influence. 

About 90% of Algeria is made up of sandy and rocky deserts, forming part of the Sahara Desert. Most of the population lives in the northern coastal region at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The capital city, Algiers, is also located in this area, on the Mediterranean coast of northern Africa.

Despite its vast size, Algeria has limited vegetation, with forests covering less than 2% of its total area. However, its desert regions are rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, which form the backbone of Algeria’s economy.

Algeria is popular among travelers, with its main attraction being the Algerian Sahara. Tours are available on camelback or in comfortable off-road vehicles.

The Sahara Desert is not just sand dunes — it also features rock formations. One of the most famous places is Tassili n'Ajjer, a plateau in central Sahara, famous for its prehistoric rock art. These UNESCO World Heritage cave paintings reveal that the Sahara was once a fertile land with rivers, lakes, plants, and animals.

The remaining UNESCO sites in Algeria are primarily cultural and include the ruins of ancient Roman cities, Ottoman palaces, and medieval mosques. Travelers are also captivated by the grandeur of modern mosques.

Algeria has several national parks, most of which are located in the mountains. The landscapes are so striking that at first glance, it's hard to believe you're in Africa, the second-largest continent.

Algeria is home to some of the highest recorded land surface temperatures on Earth. With minimal annual rainfall, these regions rank among the driest places on the planet. One striking example is Béni Abbès, a town nestled along the banks of the seasonal Saoura River. Travelers flock here to explore its well-preserved ksars — ancient Berber villages with adobe houses, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history and architectural heritage.

Algeria never ceases to amaze. While much of the country is dominated by the vast Sahara Desert, the northern mountains defy expectations with the Tikjda ski resort, where visitors can experience classic winter sports against the backdrop of an otherwise arid landscape.

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The second-largest country in Africa after Algeria is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in Central Africa. In terms of area, it is only slightly smaller than Algeria, covering 2,344,858 km² (905,355 mi²).

The equator runs through DR Congo, giving the country a tropical climate with high temperatures and heavy humidity. Nearly the entire country lies within the Congo River basin, surrounded by dense rainforests. To the east, the Rwenzori Mountains rise, while in the west, the country has a short 25-mile (40 km) coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.

DR Congo is famous for its volcanoes, lakes, and waterfalls, as well as mountain trekking to observe gorillas and boat tours on the majestic Congo River. It is the only country where you can see wild bonobos and the rare okapi, an unusual ungulate species.

However, traveling to DR Congo is currently unsafe due to armed conflicts, civil unrest, a high risk of terrorism, and violent crime.

3. Sudan

Sudan ranks third on the list, though before 2011, when South Sudan seceded, it was the largest country in Africa.

Most of Sudan's territory consists of a plateau, through which the Nile River valley runs. The Nile forms from the convergence of two rivers — the White Nile and the Blue Nile — which meet in Khartoum, the capital.

The southern part of Sudan consists of semi-deserts, while the north is made up of hot, vegetation-free deserts. The country also has mountains and savannas.

The most popular tourist activities include cruise tours on the Nile, rafting, mountain trekking, as well as Red Sea coastal vacations and visits to ancient Nubian pyramids. However, tourism in Sudan is underdeveloped due to a lack of funding, weak infrastructure, and political instability, including armed conflicts.

4. Libya

Libya, like Algeria, represents the Maghreb region in North Africa. Another similarity with Algeria is that about 90% of its territory is desert. The country often experiences multi-day sandstorms, which locals call "Ghibli."The Ghibli is the Libyan name for the Sirocco wind, which occurs when a Mediterranean cyclone moves over the scorching desert. The same name was given to the Italian bomber aircraft, the Caproni Ca.309, which saw action in World War II. It is also the inspiration behind the name of Studio Ghibli, founded by the renowned Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki.

Libya has the longest Mediterranean coastline of any country on the African continent. However, beaches are not the main attraction for visitors. Instead, people come to see the magnificent ruins of ancient Roman and Greek cities, as well as historic villages in lush desert oases. The most famous of these is Ghadames Oasis.

5. Chad

Rounding out the top five largest African countries is Chad, located in Central Africa south of Libya and bordering Sudan. The country consists mainly of plains, with a single mountainous plateau in the north. This northern region is covered by the sands of the Sahara Desert, while the south features semi-deserts, savannas, and swamps.

Tourism in Chad is virtually nonexistent due to underdevelopment. However, those who do visit the country explore Zakouma National Park and the Guelta d'Archei — a fascinating geological formation on the Ennedi Plateau. This permanent waterhole in a canyon attracts wildlife and is one of the last places in the Sahara where crocodiles still survive.

FAQs

Which country in Africa is the largest population?

The most populous country in Africa is Nigeria in West Africa, home to over 230 million people. However, its area is relatively small at 923,768 km² (356,669 mi²).

Nigeria ranks 6th in the world in terms of population, behind only China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan. By 2050, Nigeria is expected to match the United States in population. By the end of the century, its population could approach 500 million.

Is Nigeria bigger than South Africa?

In terms of area, Nigeria is smaller: 923,768 km² (356,669 mi²) compared to 1,221,037 km² (471,445 mi²). However, in terms of population, Nigeria is much larger. While Nigeria ranks first among African countries, South Africa is only sixth, with 3.5 times fewer inhabitants.

Want to know which is the smallest country on the continent? Read our recent blog post about the smallest country in Africa.

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