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Africa
Africa contains 60 country and territory records across 5 atlas subregions.
Regional context
Understanding Africa
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most-populous continent, a vast landmass of 54 sovereign countries stretching from the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south. It is the birthplace of humanity and home to extraordinary cultural, linguistic and ecological diversity, from the Nile and the Serengeti to the Congo rainforest.
Africa rankings
Africa: Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries and territories are in Africa?
Africa comprises 60 countries and territories.
What are the subregions of Africa?
Africa is divided into 5 subregions: Eastern Africa, Middle Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa.