What is the largest country in Africa?
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, covering about 2.38 million square kilometers. It became the largest after Sudan split in two when South Sudan gained independence in 2011.
Algeria lies in North Africa, with a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. More than 80 percent of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert. Most of its roughly 47 million people live in the north, near the coast, where the climate is milder. Its capital is Algiers.
Before 2011, Sudan was the largest country in Africa. When South Sudan became independent, Sudan's area shrank and Algeria moved into first place. Algeria is also the tenth-largest country in the world by area.
Other giants of Africa
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second-largest African country, followed by Sudan, Libya and Chad. By population, Nigeria is the largest country in Africa, with more than 220 million people. Africa as a whole has 54 countries recognized by the United Nations.
Did You Know?
Algeria's Tassili n'Ajjer National Park has thousands of ancient rock paintings showing that the Sahara was once green, with animals such as giraffes and hippos.