Africa is the second largest continent in the world, followed by Eurasia.

On the territory of the African continent there are 55 countries that are bordered by:

  1. Mediterranean Sea.
  2. Red Sea.
  3. Indian Ocean.
  4. Atlantic Ocean.

The area of ​​the African continent is 29.3 million square kilometers. If we take into account the islands near Africa, the area of ​​this continent increases to 30.3 million square kilometers.

The African continent occupies approximately 6% of the total area globe.

Most big country in Africa is Algeria. The area of ​​this state is 2,381,740 square kilometers.

Table. Largest states in Africa:

List of the most major cities by population:

  1. Nigeria - 166,629,390 people. In 2017, it was the most populous country in Africa.
  2. Egypt - 82,530,000 people.
  3. Ethiopia - 82,101,999 people.
  4. Republic of the Congo. The population of this African country is 69,575,394 inhabitants.
  5. Republic of South Africa. There were 50,586,760 people living in South Africa in 2017.
  6. Tanzania. This African country has a population of 47,656,370 people.
  7. Kenya. This African country has a population of 42,749,420 people.
  8. Algeria. In this country tropical Africa Home to 36,485,830 people.
  9. Uganda - 35,620,980 people.
  10. Morocco - 32,668,000 people.

African Development and Economy

If you take the corresponding maps of Africa, the countries differ not only in their diversity weather conditions, but also in abundance land resources and minerals.

The African continent ranks 1st in the world in reserves of the following breeds:

  • manganese;
  • chromite;
  • gold;
  • platinoid;
  • cobalt;
  • phosphorite

The industry of African countries is very well developed. This is especially true in the mining industry. Thus, last year, 96% of the total volume of diamonds was mined on the African continent. The resources of African countries make it possible to extract a large number of gold and cobalt ores. On average, about 76% of gold and 68% of cobalt ores of the total world volume are mined on the continent.

Chromites are mined in the amount of 67% of the total, and the share of manganese ores is 57% of the total.

Africa contains and produces 35% of the world's total uranium ore and 24% of copper. The African continent exports 31% of the world's total phosphate rocks and 11% of oil and gas.

Despite the small volumes of oil and gas supplies, 6 African countries are members of OPEC, international organization oil exporting states.

If we take the most developing countries Africa in the field of mining, these will be:


South Africa is rapidly developing and rich in the mining industry. This country has deposits of all types of resources, except oil, gas and bauxite. According to statistics, it is in South Africa that about 40% of the continent’s total exports are produced.

South Africa is recognized not only on the African continent. This republic ranks first in the world in gold mining and second in diamond mining.

The manufacturing industry is in its infancy, but it is most developed in South Africa.

Industry Agriculture ranks second in the African economy. The agricultural sector is represented by tropical and subtropical agriculture. The main part of the products is exported. Thus, the African continent exports 60% of the total volume of cocoa beans. Africa also exports peanuts in the amount of 27% of the world's total, coffee - 22% and olives - 16% of the total.

Peanut cultivation is concentrated in Senegal, greatest number coffee is grown in Ethiopia, and the Republic of Ghana is popular for large volumes of growing and harvesting cocoa beans.

Livestock farming in the countries of the African continent is very poorly developed due to water shortages and the spread of a disease dangerous to livestock, spread by tsetse flies.

Features of the African continent

Features of African countries:


The richest states of the African continent

The development of a country is determined by two criteria:

  1. Availability of minerals.
  2. Gross domestic product(GDP).

The richest countries in Africa:

  1. These islands are part of Africa, although indirectly they are located 1,600 kilometers from the coast of the continent. Seychelles is a very popular destination among tourists, so the country's main income is tourism.

The GDP per capita level is 24,837 USD.

GDP - 18,387 USD.

  1. Botswana is located in the southern part of the mainland. Despite the fact that more than 70% of the country's area is occupied by the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is distinguished by large deposits of many mineral resources.

The bulk of GDP comes from the export of diamonds. GDP level - 15,450 USD.

  1. Gabon. This country is known in Africa for the production of oil, gas, manganese and uranium.

GDP is equal to 14,860 USD.

  1. Tourism is very well developed on this island. But this is not the country's only income. GDP is provided by the production of sugar and textiles.

The GDP level is 13,214 USD.

  1. SOUTH AFRICA. This republic is the only African state recognized as developed. The remaining countries of this continent are classified as developing. South Africa has established itself as an exporter of food, equipment and cars. South Africa also exports to large quantities oil, gas, diamonds, platinum, gold and chemicals.

South Africa is the only one on the continent that is not a third world country.

GDP - 10,505 USD.

  1. - one of the few countries that managed to enter the world market and take a leading position in the agricultural sector there. In addition to agricultural products, Tunisia exports oil. Half of GDP is generated by the tourism industry.

GDP level - 9488 USD.

  1. is a country in North Africa, best known as a global exporter of oil and gas.

The GDP indicator is 7103 USD.

  1. . This state known for its mining of copper, gold, lead and tin.

GDP level - 6945 USD.


Our resource is dedicated to tourism and travel, which is why maps of foreign cities and countries are so important for my readers. To avoid getting lost in a foreign city or country, visit our website! This article will provide you with map of africa, on which streets and houses are clearly visible. Simply put, here you will see an interactive map of Africa with cities directly from satellite in Russian!

Map of Africa from satellite

Everyone knows what Africa is, am I right? But anyway, I'll give you a little tour. Africa is located near the Mediterranean and Red Sea, a little to the south, in general. It also washes Africa from the west Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - Indian. We have all at least once seen a world map or a globe and should know that Africa is a fairly large continent. And so it is, in terms of area, it is the second continent in the world, after the giant Eurasia. There are as many as 55 states in Africa, of which 4 are not recognized and five are independent territories on islands. In both complexity, Africa is inhabited by about a billion people. Based on the generally accepted theory, Africa can be considered the progenitor of the human race, on this moment It was in Africa that the most ancient remains of early human ancestors were found.

Now let's talk about tourism in Africa. We all know that there is nothing better than exotic travel and Africa is just right for this purpose. Wonderful and unusual animals for our eyes, interesting and not like us people, amazing and unusual climate- all this awaits you in Africa. If you have not yet decided which country you want to visit, then below I will give a list of African countries with a tourist analysis. Well, as always, according to tradition, with a bunch of maps, so that if you are already planning to go, you will not get lost in any case!

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The continent occupies 1/5 of the landmass of the globe and is inferior in size. Population - over 600 million people. There are currently more than 50 sovereign states, most of which were colonies until the mid-20th century.

European colonization began in this region in the 16th century. Ceuta and Melilla are wealthy cities in (in the territory of), the terminus of the Trans-Saharan trade route- were the first Spanish colonies. Next, mainly the West Coast of Africa was colonized. By the beginning of the 20th century. the “dark continent” had already been divided by the imperialist powers into dozens of colonies (see atlases of the New and Recent history 9,10,11 grades high school).

Almost all African states are classified according to typology into the group. The exception is the only economically developed state on the continent - the Republic of South Africa.

The success of the struggle of African states to strengthen political and economic independence depends to a very large extent on which political forces are in power.

In 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was created. Its goals are to promote the strengthening of the unity and cooperation of the states of the continent, to protect their sovereignty, and to fight against all forms of neo-colonialism.

Another influential organization is the League Arab states(LAS), formed in 1945. It includes Arab countries North Africa and countries. The League advocates strengthening economic and political cooperation among Arab peoples.

Most African countries went from the era of wars of independence to the era of civil wars and interethnic conflicts. In many African countries over the years of independent development general rule became the privileged position of the ethnic group whose representatives were in power. Hence there are many interethnic conflicts in the countries of this region.

Civil wars continued for about 20 years in Angola and Mozambique; For many years, war, devastation and famine have reigned in Somalia. For more than 10 years, the interethnic interfaith conflict in Sudan (between the Muslim North and adherents of Christianity and traditional beliefs in the south of the country) has not stopped. In 1993, there was a military coup in Burundi, and there is a civil war in Burundi and Rwanda. The conflict spread to neighboring states. Civil wars are not uncommon in (the first of the countries of “black Africa”, which gained independence back in 1847).

Democracy is not taking root - for 23 of the 30-odd years after gaining independence, the country lived under a military regime. In June 1993, democratic elections and immediately after that - another military coup, all democratic institutions of power were again dissolved and banned political organizations, rallies and meetings.

Examples of struggle for political power You can continue.

Nevertheless, there are practically no places left on the map of Africa where the problem of state independence has not been resolved. The exception is Western, which has still not acquired the status of an independent state, despite the 20-year struggle for liberation waged by the Polisario Front. In the near future, the UN intends to hold a referendum in the country - independence or joining Morocco?

Separately, the situation in the Republic of South Africa should be considered, where there is a transition from “democracy for the minority” to non-racial principles of local and central control: the elimination of apartheid and the creation of a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa. For the first time, non-racial presidential elections were held. Mandela is elected as the first black president of South Africa. Ex-president- Frederik de Klerk joined the coalition cabinet. South Africa was restored (after 20 years of absence) as a member of the UN.

In conclusion, we note that for many African countries the transition to political pluralism and a multi-party system has become a great challenge. However, it is stability political processes in African countries is the main condition for their further economic development.

On African continent There are 55 countries. Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, and the Republic of South Africa have long been open to tourism, but many countries still remain a mystery to tourists. Travelers to Africa are attracted to wild nature, rich flora and fauna, unusual traditions and customs of the peoples of the black continent. Not all parts of Africa are easy to reach, but the choice of countries for holidays is quite wide.


IN northern Africa There is whole line states popular among tourists. First of all, these are Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. All these countries have access to the seas, many resort areas and great amount historical monuments that have survived to this day. A mixture of cultures, oriental flavor, exotic landscapes - this is not all that attracts tourists to northern Africa.


Features of holidays in North Africa include very dry and hot climate, strict Muslim rules. When traveling outside the hotel area, it is better not to go alone, not to take expensive equipment and large sums of money with you, and to inquire in advance about prices.


Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya - countries East Africa, gaining popularity among tourists. Unique nature: Lake Victoria, the waterfall of the same name, wild jungle, unusual plants and animals national parks is the pride of East African countries. In cities you can find interesting architectural and historical monuments, which appeared thanks to the colonialists and European missionaries.


In Western and central Africa travelers are ready to meet Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon. On the territory of these states there are tropical reserves, unique landscapes, as well as huge megacities. But a feature of holidays in these countries will be restrictions on independent movement around the country; all of them must be planned in advance, since the territories have low socio-economic development and very high level crime.


When going on vacation to Madagascar, South Africa and other countries of southern Africa, you can choose an interesting program for yourself with visits to natural attractions, mountains, caves where humanity was born. You can go on a tour historical places era of colonization and visit modern big cities. The choice of tours is not limited to relaxing on the beach. Extreme types of tourism, fishing, hunting are developed here, long sea cruises and various excursions are possible.


When visiting African countries, it is worth learning in advance about the morals and customs of the country, about the rules of conduct in public places. Plants may be unsafe here wild animals, various insects. A well-thought-out vacation will bring more pleasure and protect you from troubles, and getting to know unusual, exotic cultures, the most beautiful nature reserves, the many-faced cities will only be left best impressions and memories.

Map of Africa in Russian

African countries

Algeria | Egypt | Kenya | Morocco | Seychelles| Tunisia | South Africa