Day: 25 May 2023

How Many Countries Are There In Africa?There are 54 countries in Africa. The African continent comprises a diverse array of nations, each with its own unique history, culture, and geography.Below is a list of African countries that have been internationally recognized and the number of African countries according to three different sources.The United Nations recognizes 54 sovereign states in AfricaAccording to the African Union, there are 55 States.According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are 54 member countries in AfricaUnderstanding the Number of Countries:Africa is comprised of a significant number of nations, but the exact count may lead to some confusion. Historically, there have been debates regarding whether Africa has 54 or 55 countries. This discrepancy arises due to the unique status of Western Sahara, a territory with disputed international recognition. While the African Union recognizes 55 countries, including Western Sahara, it is important to note that the United Nations acknowledges 54 member states in Africa, excluding Western Sahara.There are 54 countries in Africa today, according to the United Nations.You may be surprised to learn that there are 54 countries in Africa today, according to the United Nations. The list includes every sovereign state recognized by the UN, as well as non-sovereign territories such as constituent states and unrecognized states.According to UN criteria, a country must have a population of more than 1 million people and be able to function independently without being part of any other state. However, this definition excludes countries with large populations but limited international recognition (like Taiwan) and those that are dependent territories of larger nations (such as Puerto Rico).List of African CountriesAccording to the United Nations, Africa has 54 countries. The whole list is provided below, along with the current population and subregion.#CountryPopulationSubregion1Algeria43,019,158Northern Africa2Angola33,017,072Southern Africa3Benin12,121,286West Africa4Botswana2,351,625Southern Africa5Burkina Faso21,531,181West Africa6Burundi12,061,508East Africa7Cameroon26,545,862Central Africa8Cape Verde555,408Western Africa9Central African Republic4,884,448Central Africa10Chad16,715,275Central Africa11Comoros869,605Eastern Africa12Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo89,583,410Central Africa13Congo, Republic of the Congo5,550,330Central Africa14Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)29,070,767West Africa15Djibouti972,962Eastern Africa16Egypt100,471,869Northern Africa17Equatorial Guinea1,265,607Central Africa18Eritrea5,301,805Eastern Africa19Eswatini (Swaziland)1,102,271Southern Africa20Ethiopia115,755,038Eastern Africa21Gabon2,226,604Central Africa22Gambia2,099,177West Africa23Ghana30,879,294West Africa24Guinea13,176,867West Africa25Guinea-Bissau2,092,009West Africa26Kenya54,129,684Eastern Africa27Lesotho2,216,593Southern Africa28Liberia5,127,090West Africa29Libya7,062,545Northern Africa30Madagascar27,783,625Eastern Africa31Malawi19,332,966Southern Africa32Mali20,928,898West Africa33Mauritania4,549,699Western Africa34Mauritius1,294,952Eastern Africa35Morocco37,163,937Northern Africa36Mozambique31,255,996Southern Africa37Namibia2,540,904Southern Africa38Niger23,066,164West Africa39Nigeria211,742,363West Africa–Réunion40Rwanda12,921,532Eastern Africa41Sao Tome and Principe213,628Central Africa42Senegal19,615,377West Africa43Seychelles98,339Eastern Africa44Sierra Leone7,972,819West Africa45Somalia15,833,402Eastern Africa46South Africa59,308,690Southern Africa47South Sudan12,298,000Eastern Africa48Sudan43,849,260Northern Africa49Tanzania67,438,106East Africa50Togo8,875,715West Africa51Tunisia12,185,498North Africa–Western Sahara / Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic 639,652Northern Africa52Uganda50,291,762East Africa53Zambia19,989,062Southern Africa54Zimbabwe15,512,149Southern AfricaList of African countries based on official United Nations statisticsEritreaFlag of EritreaEritrea was granted independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The Eritrean War of Independence, which lasted from 1961 to 1991, was a conflict between the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Ethiopian government. The EPLF was fighting for Eritrean independence, while the Ethiopian government was trying to maintain control of Eritrea. The war ended in 1991 with the defeat of the Ethiopian government. In 1993, a UN-monitored referendum was held in Eritrea, and the overwhelming majority of voters voted for independence. Eritrea was officially declared an independent country on May 24, 1993.The Eritrean War of Independence was a long and bloody conflict that caused a great deal of suffering. However, it also led to the creation of a new independent country, Eritrea. Eritrea is a small country in East Africa with a population of about 5 million people. The capital of Eritrea is Asmara. Eritrea is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Arab League.LibyaFlag of LibyaLibya was under UN sanctions from 1992 to 2003 for its role in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The sanctions were lifted in 2003 after Libya agreed to pay compensation to the families of the victims of the bombing.In 2011, Libya was involved in a civil war that led to the overthrow of the government of Muammar Gaddafi. The civil war was a complex conflict with multiple causes, including Gaddafi’s repressive rule, the country’s economic problems, and the rise of Islamic extremism. The war ended in 2012 with the establishment of a new government, but Libya remains a divided country with a weak central government.The UN has continued to monitor the situation in Libya and has imposed additional sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the country’s ongoing conflict. The UN is also working to support the Libyan government’s efforts to build a stable and prosperous country.SomaliaFlag of SomaliaSomalia has been in a state of civil war since 1991. The war began after the overthrow of the government of Siad Barre, and it has been ongoing ever since. The war has caused a great deal of suffering and displacement, and it has made Somalia one of the most unstable countries in the world.There are many factors that have contributed to the ongoing civil war in Somalia. These include:Clan rivalries: Somalia is a clan-based society, and the war has been fueled by rivalries between different clans.Political instability: Somalia has never had a strong central government, and this has made it difficult to maintain peace and order.Poverty: Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world, and this has made it difficult for people to meet their basic needs.Islamic extremism: The rise of Islamic extremism in Somalia has also contributed to the war. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda, has taken control of large parts of the country, and it has been waging a violent campaign against the Somali government and its allies.The ongoing civil war in Somalia has had a devastating impact on the country. Millions of people have been displaced, and many have been killed. The war has also made it difficult to provide basic services, such as healthcare and education.There are a number of efforts underway to try to end the civil war in Somalia. The United Nations has been working to support the Somali government, and it has also deployed peacekeeping troops to the country. The African Union has also been involved in efforts to bring peace to Somalia.Disputed Territory: Western SaharaWestern Sahara is a disputed territory that Morocco and the Polisario Front claim. Morocco controls about 80% of the territory, while the Polisario Front controls about 20%. The Polisario Front is a Sahrawi independence movement that was founded in 1973. The conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front began in 1975 when Morocco invaded Western Sahara after Spain withdrew from the territory. The conflict has been ongoing ever since.In 1991, a UN-brokered ceasefire was agreed to, and a referendum on the future of Western Sahara was scheduled to be held in 1992. However, the referendum has never been held, due to disagreements between Morocco and the Polisario Front over the terms of the referendum.The UN has called for a solution to the Western Sahara conflict that is based on the principles of self-determination and the right to independence. However, Morocco has refused to accept a referendum that would allow for the independence of Western Sahara.Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicThe Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a partially recognized state located in the western Maghreb, which claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara but controls only the easternmost one-fifth of that territory.The SADR was proclaimed by the Polisario Front on 27 February 1976, in Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara. The SADR claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony; however, at present the SADR government controls only about 20–25% of the territory it claims. It calls the territories under its control the “Liberated Territories”. As of September 2022, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by 46 out of a total of 193 United Nations member states.RéunionFlag of FranceRéunion Island is an overseas department of France, located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It is a volcanic island with a population of about 850,000 people. The capital of Réunion is Saint-Denis.Réunion Island was first inhabited by the Malay people in the 16th century. The French arrived in the 17th century and claimed the island for France. Réunion Island was used as a penal colony in the 18th and 19th centuries. The island became an overseas department of France in 1946.The Three Largest Countries in AfricaAfrica boasts a wide range of countries, varying in terms of landmass, population, and cultural heritage. When considering the size of nations, three countries stand out as the largest in Africa:Algeria Spanning an impressive area of approximately 2.38 million square kilometres, Algeria is the largest country in Africa. Situated in North Africa, it is known for its vast Sahara Desert, historic sites, and diverse landscapes.The Democratic Republic of the Congo, often referred to as DRC, is the second-largest country in Africa. Covering an area of about 2.34 million square kilometres, this Central African nation is renowned for its wildlife, rainforests, and the mighty Congo River.Sudan, located in northeastern Africa, holds the third spot among Africa’s largest countries. Encompassing around 1.86 million square kilometres, Sudan boasts diverse landscapes, including the Nile River, desert regions, and fertile plains.Africa’s Diverse NationsBeyond the numbers, Africa is a continent that thrives on its vibrant cultural tapestry. Each country within Africa showcases its unique traditions, languages, and histories. From the pyramids of Egypt to the Maasai warriors of Kenya and the music of Mali, Africa’s diversity knows no bounds. Exploring the continent allows travellers to immerse themselves in a kaleidoscope of experiences, be it the bustling markets of Morocco, the stunning wildlife of Tanzania, or the rich heritage of EthiopiaThe 55th African Country: Western Sahara:Western Sahara, located on the northwestern coast of Africa, is the subject of an ongoing territorial dispute. Formerly a Spanish colony, it is currently claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Despite the conflicting claims, the African Union recognizes Western Sahara as the 54th member state. However, its political status remains a complex and unresolved issue.How Many Countries Are There In Africa