54 fully recognised african states are all members of the United Nations and the African Union (AU). AU Member States are divided into the five geographic regions Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa.
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nambia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sechelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
This vast and diverse continent, comprising 54 fully recognized sovereign states (countries), eight territories, and two de facto independent states with limited or no recognition. Here are some key points about Africa:
Geography: Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, covering about 30.3 million km². It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
Population: It's home to more than 1.3 billion people, making it the second most populous continent after Asia. There's immense cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. Languages: Over 2,000 languages are spoken across Africa, with major language groups including Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, and Khoisan. Some of the widely spoken languages include Arabic, Swahili, Hausa, Yoruba, and Amharic, among others.
Economy: Africa has a wide range of economic conditions, from rapidly developing economies like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya to countries facing significant challenges. The continent is rich in natural resources, including oil, minerals like gold and diamonds, and agricultural products.
History: Africa has a deep history with civilizations like Ancient Egypt, the Kingdom of Aksum, the Mali Empire, and Great Zimbabwe. The continent was also profoundly affected by the transatlantic slave trade, European colonialism, and the subsequent struggle for independence.
Wildlife and Biodiversity: Known for its incredible biodiversity, Africa hosts unique ecosystems like the Sahara Desert, the Nile River, the Congo Rainforest, and the savannahs, which are home to numerous species including elephants, lions, giraffes, and many others.
Culture: African culture is incredibly rich, with diverse traditions in music, dance, art, literature, and cinema. Music genres like jazz, blues, hip-hop, and Afrobeat have African roots or influences.
Politics: Post-independence, African nations have had varied political experiences, including periods of authoritarianism, civil wars, and more recently, a push towards democracy, though with mixed outcomes. Challenges: Despite its resources, many African countries face challenges like poverty, corruption, political instability, health crises (e.g., HIV/AIDS, malaria), and climate change impacts.
Opportunities: There's significant potential for growth in technology, renewable energy, agriculture, tourism, and cultural industries. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aim to boost intra-African trade.
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