About Africa Map
This Africa map clearly shows all the countries in Africa. The Africa political map includes all of the countries of Africa (sovereign states) and clearly shows country boundaries / international boundaries / state boundaries as well as country capitals. Countries are filled with unique colors. All 54 countries of Africa are visible on this map, from most populous Nigeria and Egypt to southernmost South Africa and tourist capital of East Africa, Kenya. Island countries off the coast of Africa such as Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and many others are also visible on this map.
This map shows the capital city of all the African countries with a unique symbols. Country boundaries are drawn, and many countries are filled with different colors. Cairo, Egypt; Abuja, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; and Pretoria, South Africa are marked as national capitals.
This map of Africa shows international boundaries, disputed boundaries and continent boundaries. Lines of latitude, the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are also shown. The main oceans and seas are labelled, including the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. For reference, the relative positions of Europe and Asia to Africa are also shown.
Well known coastal and island areas are clearly marked including the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe. The status of disputed Western Sahara is also shown. World maps are provided in a variety of projections including this standard world map that is the most accurate.
This Africa map provides a clear and comprehensive insight into the political organisation of Africa. Africa political map shows all the countries in Africa along with their respective capitals, international boundaries etc.
About Africa
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent with an area of 30,370,000 km2/11,700,000 sq mi, which accounts for about a fifth of the total surface area of Earth. Africa is also home to the world’s second largest population with over 1.4 billion people living on the continent (2018/19 estimates), representing about 17–18% of the world’s population. It is the only continent that is completely situated in the Eastern Hemisphere, and it is the only continent that straddles the Equator as well as the Prime Meridian. With 54 recognised countries, the most of any continent, it is often described as the most politically structured continent on Earth. Wherever you travel on the continent, it is very common for African neighbours to be also partners and many other connections as well.
The most widely accepted definition of the continent, which is used by geographers and national teams from a variety of sports, includes all areas to the north of the Watson, Lindsay, and Ridley lines of demarcation to the northeast, as well as all areas to the south of the Swain Line to the south. Using this definition, the continental boundaries of Africa are therefore the Mediterranean Sea to the Watson, Lindsay, and Ridley lines of demarcation to the northeast, the Red Sea to the east, the Gulf of Aden to the southeast, the Indian Ocean to the east and southeast, the Mozambique Channel to the southeast, the Swain Line to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Canary Island Line to the northwest.
Geography and Natural Diversity of Africa
Africa is a continent of great biodiversity, featuring a number of unique environments including desert, rainforest, grasslands, and mountain ranges. The Sahara Desert covers much of Africa’s North, spanning an area of around 9,200,000 square kilometres. Africa’s tropical rainforest, found in central parts of the continent, is the second largest in the world after the Amazon. In addition to these, Africa’s many rivers are another defining feature of the landscape. The Nile is the world’s longest river at 6,650km, the Congo has a depth of over 220m and the highest discharge. Africa’s valleys too are an important geological feature, most notable being the Great Rift Valley. The rift valley runs for 6,000km through the centre of Africa’s most biodiverse regions and contains some of the largest lakes in the world, including the world’s second largest lake, Lake Victoria. Every destination in Africa is uniquely varied and perfectly suited to a wildly diverse array of wildlife. From Namibia’s vast desert dunes to the DR Congo’s lush green forests, no two African destinations are the same. With such boundless variety, it’s no wonder Africa is the world’s most biologically diverse continent.
Countries, Regions, and Political Structure
Africa is often sub-divided into sections such as North, West, East, Southern and Central Africa. Each of these has different languages, cultures, economies and more. With a total of 54 countries, the biggest and most populous being Nigeria (with over 220 million people) and the largest country by land being Algeria (1,2 million km²), each one has its own uniqueness. The two smallest countries are the island Seychelles and the other two African island nations of São Tomé and Príncipe. With such diverse characteristics, it can be hard to generalise everything about Africa. In an effort to acknowledge the entire continent, the African Union (AU) was created to promote friendly relations between individual African governments and inhabitants and to support co-operation between African nations so as to achieve common goals. The AU aims to eradicate conflict, support democratic systems and bring peace to interference. The organisation also encourages affirmative action to benefit the African population. The African Union was established in 2002. The decades since the mid-20th century, when most African countries finally achieved independence from foreign rule, have been transformative for the continent. The journey of independence promised new beginnings for Africa, yet the reality remains far from the dream. In many places, poverty continues to challenge everyday life
Culture, Languages, and Ethnic Diversity
With over 3,000 ethnic groups living in Africa, the cultures and languages are almost as diverse as the geography. Over 2,000 languages are spoken on the continent. The languages of Africa are primarily classified into four large language families: Afroasiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan. While many languages are spoken natively, Arabic, Amharic, English, French, Portuguese, Oromo, Shona, Somali, Swahili, and Yoruba are the most widely spoken languages in Africa with Hausa also frequently used. The official languages of many African nations are English, French, and Portuguese because of their history as colonial powers. However, artistry is not confined to visual representation; all cultures express themselves through music and dance and have a long history of creative and imaginative use of language, including literature and oral tradition. The textile patterns and styles found in African cultures are also varied and reflective of the different regions of Africa. Cultures from Ghana will wear and adorn themselves with Kente cloth while in South Africa one may find beautiful beadwork. African music is perhaps the most expressive of all of the art forms with its rich traditions and complex rhythms created on drums. In addition to traditional and customary practices, social determinants such as religion and culture also affect health and disease. The majority of people in Zimbabwe practice Islam or Christianity; in addition there are a number of indigenous beliefs and practices.
Economy and Natural Resources
Africa is oil and mineral rich with many countries benefiting from large reserves of oil and natural gas as well as precious metals including gold, diamonds and platinum in countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and South Africa. While the majority of Africans are involved in agriculture, which comprises a large percentage of the labour force and a significant percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Africa’s economy is growing steadily with more markets opening up and greater foreign investment flowing in. There is also a digital revolution taking place across the continent with explosive growth in the mobile, fintech and e-commerce industries. While information technology and communication systems have expanded in line with the growth of the knowledge economy, efforts to promote sustainable development are also focusing on issues like poverty, unemployment and physical infrastructure.
Wildlife and Tourism in Africa
Africa is famous around the world for the great variety of wild life and natural attractions. Many African countries boast the "Big Five" – elephant, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and buffalo – which can be found in national parks, game reserves and wildlife areas. Visitors can enjoy ecotourism and help the conservation of areas rich in natural and cultural heritage. Tourist attractions include Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest summit in Africa, Victoria Falls and the Sahara Desert. Famous parks and reserves include Kenya and Tanzania's Maasai Mara National Reserve, South Africa's Kruger National Park and Botswana's Chobe National Park. Other areas of tourist interest include South Africa's Cape of Good Hope and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
History and Heritage of Africa
Africa is the birth place of human kind and home of some of the earliest human ancestor remain or relics. The continent has a rich historical heritage from the empires of the great and proud nations of Egypt, Nubia, Carthage and Axum and others. Their architectural innovation and contributions to human history in terms of trade, governance, philosophy etc were undermined by European colonial powers invasion of the continent. After decades and decades of colonialism, the continent finally gained her independence, and it has been struggling to rebuild and rediscover herself, her economy, and her institutions. Her rich legacy lives on through the great monuments, customs and histories embedded in her people and cultures.
Modern Africa: Growth, Innovation, and Future Potential
Africa is changing at breakneck speed. The majority of the 1 billion+ youth on the continent are below the age of 25 and already entrepreneurs, policy makers, game changers and inspirations locally and abroad. What was once a European and North American phenomenon has reached unprecedented heights in the cities of Africa. High-tech startups and small businesses that dream big are jostling for space alongside bustling markets where entrepreneurship thrives. As cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg urbanize and grow into major economic hubs, the potential for entrepreneurship and business growth is vast. Building on these foundations, Africa must now amplify intra-continental trade and economic integration in the wake of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) entering into force. Although there are still many battles to be fought, Africa looks upwards to a bright future. The future is innovation, ingenuity and resilience as Africa joins the rest of the world in quest for sustainable development.