The smallest country in Africa by landmass is an island called Seychelles. However, the smallest country on the mainland is The Gambia. Africa is the second largest and second most populous continent on earth after Asia.
The continent is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Its land area is approximately 30,365,000 square kilometers. It has 54 countries fully recognized by the United Nations, 2 independent states and several territories controlled by non-African countries.
Smallest countries in Africa
1. Seychelles
- Capital city:Viktoria
- Landmasse:455 km²
- Population:98.462
- Independence:29. June 1976
- Official languages:French, English and Seychellois Creole
The Seychelles are not only the smallest country in Africa, but also one of the most beautiful places on the continent. It is an island in the western Indian Ocean.
The country has a land mass of 455 km² and is famous for its beautiful chain of islands. Seychelles is among the world's leading countries in protecting land for endangered species.
The island has no indigenous people as most of them are descendants of immigrants who moved there during the Napoleonic Wars. However, the largest ethnic groups in Seychelles are African, French, Indian and Chinese.
Fun Fact:
The Seychelles has up to 115 different islands, some of which are still inhabited. The largest island is Mahé, which has become the most popular tourist destination.
2.Sao Tome and Principe
- Capital city:Sao Tome-Stadt
- Landmasse:1.001 km²
- Population:219.161
- Independence:July 12, 1975
- Official languages:Portuguese, Forro, Angolar and Principense.
The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country on the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two main islands, Sao Tome and Principe, which formed over 30 million years ago during the Oligocene.
The country was named after Saint Thomas the Apostle and the Prince of Portugal.
With a land mass of 1,001 km², it is the second smallest and second most sparsely populated Africa. Just like the Seychelles, the islands were inhabited until discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century.
The country gained its independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975 and has 4 official languages, Portuguese, Forro, Angolar and Principense.
Fun Fact:
Although São Tomé and Príncipe is a small country, it is rich in biodiversity. It boasts several native animals including the Sao Tome shrew, various species of bats, the world's smallest ibis and the world's largest sunbird.
3. Mauritius
- Capital city:Port-Louis
- Landmasse:2.040 km²
- Population:1.266 million
- Independence:March 12, 1968
- Official languages:English and French
Officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, it is an island in the Indian Ocean that was first discovered by Arab sailors. It was first called Dina Arobi.
The island was controlled by various ethnic groups, including Portuguese seafarers, Dutch and French. It was renamed "Isle de France" before being confiscated by the United Kingdom.
The country has a land mass of 2,040 km² and is the third smallest country in Africa. It has 9 states.
Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom on March 12, 1968 and became a republic on March 12, 1992. Its official languages are English and French.
Fun Fact:
Mauritius has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Aapravasi Ghat and Le Mome Brabant.
4. Comoren
- Capital city:Moroni
- Landmasse:2.235 km²
- Population:869.595
- Independence:December 22, 1974
- Official languages:Comorian, Arabic and French
The Union of Comoros is an island in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of southern Africa. It lies between Mozambique and Madagascar. The island consists of three main islands, Ngazidja, Nzwani and Mwali, and numerous smaller islands.
The name Comoros derives from the Arabic word "Juzur al Qamar" which means "islands of the moon".
It has a total area of 2,235 km². The island's first settlers were Austronesian settlers, then it was colonized by the French. It was a French colony and part of the island of Mayotte until its independence on July 6, 1975.
Comoros was proclaimed the Islamic Federation of Comoros on October 1, 1978 and later the Union of Comoros on December 23, 2001. The official languages are Comoros, French and Arabic.
Fun Fact:
The country has a unique flora attributed to the "ylang-ylang" or perfume tree. The tree is used to make essential oils and perfumes.
5. Hood Verde
- Capital city:Praia
- Landmasse:4.033 km²
- Population:555.988
- Independence:July 5, 1975
- Official languages:Portuguese, English and Cape Verdean Creole
The Republic of Cabo Verde is an archipelago, a chain of islands in the central Atlantic. The island has 10 volcanic islands with a total area of 4,033 km². Its islands are divided into the islands of Barlavento and Sotavento.
The archipelago was inhabited until the 15th century when it was discovered and colonized by Portuguese explorers. Cape Verde played an important role in the transatlantic slave trade due to its location. His involvement in the slave trade made his economy boom and suffered after the slave trade was abolished.
Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975. Its official languages are Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole.
Fun Fact:
More Cape Verdeans live outside of Cape Verde than in the countryside.
6. Gambia
- Capital city:Banjul
- Landmasse:11.300 km²
- Population:2.417 million
- Independence:February 18, 1965
- Official languages:English
The Republic of The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa. It is surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean. The country lies on either side of the Gambia River, from which the country takes its name. The river empties into the Atlantic Ocean. 11.5% of the country's surface is covered by water.
The country's widest point measures about 30 miles and the entire country has a land mass of 11,300 km².
It was formerly known as the Senegambian Confederation, which was a loose confederation between The Gambia and Senegal. However, Senegambia was dissolved on September 30, 1989 and The Gambia became a separate country.
The country was at the center of the slave trade and has a museum to educate people about the history of the transatlantic slave trade in the region.
It gained independence from the United Kingdom on February 18, 1965. The official language of The Gambia is English and the main sources of income are agriculture and fishing.
Fun Fact:
The Gambia is also known as a bird watcher's paradise due to its large collection of birds. The country has 540 species of birds in its forests and riverbanks.
7. Clapping (Swasiland)
- Capital city:Mbabane (executive) and Lobamba (legislative)
- Landmasse:17.364 km²
- Population:1.16 million
- Independence:6. September 1968
- Official languages:Swazi and English
Swaziland is a small landlocked country bordering South Africa and Mozambique. It covers an area of 17,364 km². In 2018 it was officially renamed the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The country's first settlers were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. However, they were largely replaced by the Nguni during the great Bantu migrations when the people originated from the Great Lakes region of central and east Africa.
The government is an absolute monarchy and the last of its kind in Africa. It has two capitals, Mbabane, the executive capital, and Lobamba, the legislative capital. Its official languages are Swazi and English.
Fun Fact:
Eswatini is one of the few places where black and white rhino live close together
8. Disbursements
- Capital city:Djibouti city
- Landmasse:23.200 km²
- Population:988.002
- Independence:27. June 1977
- Official languages:French and Arabic
Officially, the Republic of Djibouti is a country on the Horn ofAfrica. It borders Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The country has a land mass of 23,200 km², making it the eighth smallest country in Africa.
It was dominated by the French during the Scramble for Africa and became part of the French colony of Somaliland between 1888 and 1977. It later became the capital in 1894.
The country was renamed "French Territory of the Afars and Issa". It is referred to as the most urbanized country in sub-Saharan Africa. Djibouti gained independence from France on June 27, 1977. Its official languages are Arabic and French.
Fun Fact:
Lac Assal, a crater lake in Djibouti, is the second saltiest body of water in the world. It is ten times saltier than the sea. It is also the lowest point in Africa and the third highest in the world, after the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.
See also:The largest city in Africa: Lagos and 9 others
9. Rwanda
- Capital city:Kigali
- Landmasse:26.338 km²
- Population:12.95 million
- Independence:July 1, 1962
- Official languages:Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili
The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa. With 26,338 km² it is the smallest country in East Africa. It is also the most densely populated country on the continent.
Its first settlers were Twa hunter-gatherers, and later Bantu people migrated to the country to engage in agriculture. During the Berlin Conference of 1884, the area was a German Empire and was declared German East Africa.
In 1894, Rwanda and Burundi were combined by Germany into one territory called Rwanda-Urundi until it gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Its official languages are Kinyarwanda, French, English and Swahili.
Fun Fact:
The capital of Rwanda is the cleanest city in Africa as the government enforces hygiene every Saturday and has banned the use of plastic bags and bags to protect the environment.
10. Burundi
- Capital city:expect it
- Landmasse:27.834 km²
- Population:11.89 million
- Independence:July 1, 1962
- Official languages:French, English and Kirundi
The Republic of Burundi is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley, where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. It has a landmass of 27,834 km² and is bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, DR Congo and Lake Tanganyika.
After World War II, it was converted into a United Nations Trust Territory. It was ruled by the Germans and Belgians as Rwanda-Urundi. They were under common rule until the European invasion of Africa.
It gained independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962 and became a republic on November 28, 1966. Its official languages are Kirundi, French and English. Burundi has 2 capitals, Gitega, the political capital, and Bujumbura, the economic capital.
Fun Fact:
Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world, the second deepest and the second largest in volume. It is also the second largest of the African Great Lakes after Lake Victoria
11. Äquatorialguinea
- Capital city:Blurred
- Landmasse:28.051 km²
- Population:1.403 million
- Independence:12. October 1968
- Official languages:Spanish, Portuguese and English
The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a small country on the west coast of Central Africa with a land mass of 28,051 km². It was formerly known as the Colony of Spanish Guinea.
The Portuguese arrived first and they colonized in 1474. They were ceded to Spain and became a Spanish colony after Portugal signed a treaty with King Charles of Spain.
Equatorial Guinea gained independence from Spain on October 12, 1968. Its official languages are Spanish, French and Portuguese. It is the only African country to have Spanish as an official language.
Fun Fact:
The pygmies of Equatorial Guinea are the smallest people in the world. Their size is about half the height of an average human, and some of them only reach the knees of an average man.
tags: AfricaBanjulBurundiCap VerdeKomorenDisappointedDjibouti cityÄquatorialguineaIn the chatexpect itKigaliHold ontoBlurredMauritiusMbabaneMoroniPort-LouisPraiaRwandaSaint ThomasSao Tome and PrincipeSeychellesGambiaViktoria