What countries are located in South Africa? Countries of South Africa: list, capitals, interesting facts
Africa is the largest continent on the planet, which in terms of size and population ranks second after Eurasia. This occupies 6% of the Earth's area and more than 20% of the entire land area. The list consists of 62 units. Conventionally, this continent is divided into four parts - Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern. These borders coincide with the borders of the states that are located there. Some of them have access to the seas and oceans, others are located inland.
Geographical location of the continent
Africa itself is located, one might say, in the center of the planet. From the north it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, from the northeast by the Red Sea and the eastern part is bathed in the waters of the Indian Ocean, and all the western coasts, among which there are both resorts and industrial cities, are plunged into the waters of the Atlantic. The relief, as well as the flora and fauna of this continent are very diverse and mysterious. Most of it is occupied by deserts, which remain incredibly hot all year round. However, in some regions there are mountains covered with eternal snow. It is impossible to fully imagine a list of African countries without some of the natural features of each of them.
Countries and cities
Now we will look at the largest and most famous countries in Africa. A list with capitals, as well as languages used, is given below:
- Algeria - Algeria - Arabic.
- Angola - Luanda - Portuguese.
- Botswana - Gaborone - Setswana, English.
- Guinea - Conakry - French.
- Zambia - Lusaka - English.
- Egypt - Cairo - Arabic.
- Kenya - Nairobi - English, Swahili.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo - Kinshasa - French.
- Libya - Tripoli - Arabic.
- Mauritania - Nouakchott - Arabic.
- Madagascar - Antananarivo - French, Malagasy.
- Mali - Bamako - French.
- Morocco - Rabat - Arabic.
- Somalia - Mogadishu - Arabic, Somalia.
- Sudan - Khartoum - Arabic.
- Tanzania - Dodoma - Swahili, English.
- Tunisia - Tunisia - Arabic.
- South Africa - Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfont - Zulu, Swati, English and many others.
This is not a complete list of African countries. Among them there are also very poorly developed areas that are part of both other African and European powers.
Northern region closest to Europe
It is generally accepted that the most developed regions are the North and a small part of the South. All other states are in the so-called “safari” zone. There is an unfavorable climate for life, desert terrain, and the absence of inland waters. Now we will briefly look at what they are. The list consists of 6 administrative units, which include: Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Sudan. Most of this territory is the Sahara Desert, so local thermometers never drop below 10 degrees Celsius. It is also important to note that in this region, all countries were at one time or another under the rule of European powers. Therefore, local residents are very familiar with the Romano-Germanic family of languages. Nowadays, proximity to the Old World allows residents of North Africa to establish business relations with its representatives.
Other very significant regions of the continent
As mentioned above, the developed countries of Africa are not only in the north of the continent. The list of all the rest is much shorter, since it consists of one power - South Africa. This unique state contains absolutely everything you can imagine. At the height of summer, there is a peak influx of tourists from all over the world. People come to the region to see the unique shores, as well as to swim in the waters of the Indian or Atlantic Ocean. Along with this, fishing, boat trips, and excursions to local museums and attractions are very developed in the region. Along with this, local residents are actively engaged in the extraction of diamonds and oil, which are concentrated in huge quantities in the depths of this region.
Cities of South Africa that amaze with their beauty
Sometimes you get the feeling that the very center of world civilization is concentrated not in Europe, not even in America, but precisely in the very south of the African continent. Here, such world-famous cities as Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth have grown up. jacaranda The territory of the cities is inhabited both by white settlers who have settled here for a very long time, and by the historical owners of these lands - black Africans. You can talk about these enchanting places for hours, since they are the best countries and capitals of Africa. The list of southern cities and resorts given above will allow you to better navigate this area.
Conclusion
The cradle of all earthly humanity, the birthplace of minerals and jewelry, unique natural wonders and luxurious resorts that contrast with the poverty of the local population - all this is concentrated on one single continent. A simple listing of names - a list of African countries - cannot fully reveal all the potential that is stored in these lands and on their surface, and in order to get to know these territories, you need to go there and see everything with your own eyes.
Cape Town is the third largest and most popular city on the continent, located near the southernmost point of Africa. This spiritual and eccentric place is called by some the “windy city.” Cape Town has received several international tourism awards. Near the city rises Table Mountain, one of the seven new wonders of nature.
2. Nairobi
Nairobi is the most populous metropolis in East Africa and the largest city and capital of Kenya. It is known as the "Green City in the Sun". In terms of housing options, there are spacious suburban homes at affordable prices compared to other African cities, as well as luxury residential complexes with swimming pools and fitness centers. The surrounding plains, cliffs and forests provide a unique African provincial experience.
3. Accra
Photo: trvl-media.com
Accra is the largest city in Ghana, located in the southeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. There are several affluent areas including East Legon and Osu (Oxford Street) with luxury shopping. Attractions include: Makola Market, National Museum of Ghana, Independence Arch, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial. The tropical climate adds even more attractiveness to these regions.
4. Libreville
Photo: staticflickr.com
Libreville's stunning architecture and monuments have an unmistakable French imprint. The city lies on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. In 1960 it became the capital of Gabon. You can have fun relaxing on the local beaches. Near the city is the Akanda National Park, popular among ecotourists.
5. Johannesburg
Photo: thewanderlife.com
Johannesburg is home to major shopping centers such as Sandton and East Gate. From the moment you walk down the plane at Tambo International Airport, you'll understand why Johannesburg is considered a world-class city. Despite the abundance of skyscrapers, some areas are literally surrounded by lush and greenery. Every traveler to South Africa should definitely visit the Kruger National Park.
6. Tunisia
Photo: sky2travel.net
Tunisia is one of the smallest countries in North Africa. In its capital of the same name, echoes of the Ottoman Empire and the French colonial past have been preserved in the form of contradictory architectural ensembles. The Medina of Tunis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the outskirts of the city is the famous Bardo Museum, famous for its huge collection of exhibits from the era of Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine and Arab rule.
7. Grahamstown
Photo: co.za
Grahamstown is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is known as the "city of saints" due to more than 40 religious buildings of various faiths. This city is home to a large center for training journalists. The most exciting time to visit Grahamstown is during the National Arts Festival and SciFest.
8. Kigali
Photo: panoramio.com
Kigali is the heart of Rwanda and home to around one million people, as well as a large community of expats who enjoy taking advantage of the capital's diversity. Here rural areas alternate with new modern developments springing up in the central business district. One of the newest buildings is the Kigali Tower. This 20-story office and retail complex became the tallest building in the city. Kigali lies on a mountainside where rare mountain gorillas live.
9. Windhoek
Photo: audreyandmathell.com
The capital of the Republic of Namibia is attractive for many reasons. They say the city is clean, relatively safe and easy to get around. German culture has had a huge influence on Windhoek, from speech to architecture. The city is famous for its beer (Windhoek Lager), which is sold abroad in more than 20 countries.
10. Dar es Salaam
Photo: web-tourism.ru
Dar es Salaam is the political and economic center and the largest city in Tanzania. The city lies on the shores of the Indian Ocean, famous for its local university, the largest and oldest public higher education institution in Tanzania, and the Institute of Technology. Dar es Salaam has its own stunning beaches (including exclusive resorts), but Zanzibar is just a short ferry ride away. The city is located near the equator and experiences tropical weather most of the year.
11. Gaborone
Photo: ciee.org
Gaborone is the capital of Botswana. It has gained a reputation as a peaceful, politically stable and economically powerful city as one of the largest diamond producers in the world. Precious stones continue to play an important role in the development of the city.
12. Algeria
Photo: staticflickr.com
Algeria has miles of beautiful beaches, sunshine, plenty of thriving cafes, and a vibrant economy. The city generally does not experience the extreme temperatures that occur in the surrounding desert. Here you can visit the Kasbah fortress, Martyrs' Square, Jamaa el-Kebir Mosque, Bardo Museum, Roman Catholic Cathedral.
13. Asmara
Photo: org.uk
Asmara is the capital and largest city of Eritrea. Some call it "the safest city in the world." It lies at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, it is pleasantly cool here, but the weather is dry and sunny almost all year round. The city features beautiful architecture from the thriving Italian community of colonial times. Asmara is also the economic center of the country. This city was even nicknamed “little Rome”
Africa- part of the world that is located in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of our planet.
Africa is considered the cradle of humanity. The first people arose in Africa, and then began to settle across all continents. Presumably, the first intelligent people arose about one hundred thousand years ago in the African tropical forests.
The area of the African continent is three times the area of Europe and almost twice the area of North America and amounts to 30 million sq. km. Africa's population is over 1 billion people, second only to Asia in terms of population.
The name of the continent has its own interesting history. In ancient times, in northern Africa, on the territory of modern Tunisia, the powerful Phoenician state of Carthage flourished. The capital of this state was also called Carthage. So, the population that lived outside the capital was called “Afri” in the Phoenician language. After Carthage fell to the Romans and was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire, the Romans called the territory of former Carthage Africa. After a few hundred years, this name spread to the entire continent. This is how the name of the continent arose - Africa, and it owes this to the Romans!
List of states and dependent territories of Africa compiled based on Wikipedia
| African states | |||
| Flag | State | Capital | Cities and resorts |
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Benin | Porto-Novo | |
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Botswana | Gaborone | |
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Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | |
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Burundi | Bujumbura | |
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Gabon | Libreville | |
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Gambia | Banjul | |
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Ghana | Accra | |
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Guinea | Conakry | |
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Guinea-Bissau | Bissau | |
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Djibouti | Djibouti | |
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Zambia | Lusaka | |
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Zimbabwe | Harare | |
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Cape Verde | Praia | |
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Comoros | Moroni | |
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Democratic Republic of the Congo | Kinshasa | |
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Ivory Coast | Yamoussoukro | |
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Liberia | Monrovia | |
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Mauritius | Port Louis | |
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Mauritania | Nouakchott | |
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Malawi | Lilongwe | |
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Mali | Bamako | |
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Mozambique | Maputo | |
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Niger | Niamey | |
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Rwanda | Kigali | |
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Sao Tome and Principe | Sao Tome | |
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Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | Laayoune (stated) Tifariti (actual |
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| Swaziland | Mbabane | ||
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Seychelles | Victoria | |
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Somalia | Mogadishu | |
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Sierra Leone | Freetown | |
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Tanzania | Dar es Salaam; Dodoma |
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Togo | Lome | |
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Uganda | Kampala | |
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CAR | Bangui | |
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Chad | N'Djamena | |
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Equatorial Guinea | Malabo | |
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Eritrea | Asmara | |
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A country | ||
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Canary Islands | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Spain |
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Madeira | Funchal | Portugal |
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Mayotte | Mamoudou | France |
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Melilla | — | Spain |
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Ceuta | Ceuta | Spain |
Africa is washed from the north by the Mediterranean Sea, from the east and south by the Indian Ocean, and from the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Africa is separated from Asia by the Suez Canal, located in Egypt, and Egypt itself is located in two parts of the world at once: the larger part is in Africa, and the smaller part, on the right side of the Suez Canal, is in Asia and borders on Israel.
Africa is separated from Europe by the narrow Strait of Gibraltar; you can get to Spain from Tunisia by swimming across the Strait of Gibraltar.
The northernmost point of Africa is Cape Blanco, located on the northern coast of Tunisia. It is from here that it is closest to Europe; passenger ships and ferries run from this cape to Gibraltar.
Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point of the African continent. It is located in South Africa.
The westernmost point of the continent is in Senegal. This is Cape Almali.
The easternmost point of the African continent is located in Somalia. This is Cape Ras Hafun.
The highest point in Africa is the dormant volcano Kilimanjaro, on top of which lies snow. This is all the more surprising because the mountain is located only three hundred kilometers from the equator, but its height is almost six kilometers (more precisely, 5895 meters), it is even higher than Elbrus! At this altitude, the air temperature in summer is 20 degrees below zero, so there is snow there.
The largest river in Africa is the Nile. The length of the Nile is only 100 km less than the length of the Amazon, so the Nile is considered the second longest river in the world. The length is 6800 kilometers, the river flows from the freshwater Lake Victoria, which is located in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, and flows into the Mediterranean Sea, passing through the whole of Egypt.
Other large African rivers are the Niger, Zambezi, Limpopo, and Congo.
The largest African lakes are Lake Victoria (from which the Nile flows) and Lake Taganika. There is also a whole lake system, which geographers call the Great African Lakes. It also includes the two largest lakes listed above.
The largest desert in Africa is the Sahara Desert. It stretches for four thousand kilometers from west to east and is located in the northern part of Africa, above the equator.
Africa has the largest areas of tropical forests.
The largest mountain ranges in Africa are the low Ethiopian Highlands and the Atlas Mountains. Mount Kilimanjaro is not included in any of these mountain ranges.
Africa has very few climate zones. There are only three of them: the zone of deserts and semi-deserts (the territory of the Sahara), the zone of moist subtropical forests and the zone of tropical forests. The tropical forest zone also includes forests located on the equator and 200 km in each direction from the equator.
Ancient Egypt was the most progressive civilization that existed in Africa. The power of the Egyptian pharaohs was practically unlimited. The second center of civilization on the African continent is the former Carthage.
In the fifteenth century, active colonization of Africa by Europeans began. The British were the most successful in this matter - they had the largest number of their colonies in Africa.
During the Second World War, fighting took place in Africa; a whole group of armies of the Nazi Wehrmacht was located here. Active hostilities took place in Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Libya - General Rommel’s elite tank corps operated here. The British fought against Rommel in Africa under the leadership of Marshal Montgomery. Rommel suffered a defeat, after which the African theater of operations was closed.
In the sixties of the twentieth century, Africa was shocked by the liberation struggle against apartheid in South Africa under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. The Republic of South Africa has set an example for all African countries on how to fight for their rights.
By the end of the twentieth century, almost all former colonies had become independent states.
Currently, Africa is the most backward continent in terms of living standards on our planet. It is on the African continent that most of the so-called “third world countries” are located. A characteristic feature of modern Africa is the low standard of living of the population of most African countries and political instability.
Africa is a real storehouse of minerals. There are almost all the fossils known to man here.
Gold and silver mines are located mainly in southern Africa, in South Africa.
Large deposits of hard and brown coal are located in the Republic of South Africa. This is the only country in Africa that fully meets its needs for this type of fuel.
Minor coal is mined in Mozambique.
The leader in Africa in natural gas production is Algeria. Other African countries produce blue fuel in Nigeria, Myanmar, Libya, Mozambique, Tunisia, South Africa, Congo, Tanzania, Angola, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, Gabon, Morocco, Ghana, and Senegal.
Nigeria is the leader in oil production in Africa. This country fully meets its needs for “black gold”.
Other oil-producing countries in Africa are Algeria, Angola, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Chad, Ghana, Tunisia, Sudan, Papua New Guinea, Niger, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia.
The hottest place on Earth is located in Africa - the Dallol settlement area, which is located in northern Ethiopia. The average annual temperature here is 34 degrees, and more than 100 days a year the temperature stays at 50 degrees above zero!
Africa is the hottest continent on the planet. It has a tropical and subtropical climate. The highest temperatures are in northern Africa, where the Sahara Desert is located. However, in the same Sahara, frosts also occur in the winter months; the climate there is both sharply continental and desert. A completely different picture is observed in the equator region - there is no change of seasons at all, and throughout the year a tropical summer with a rainy season and a dry season dominates. The only place where snow falls is the kingdom of Lesotho, located high in the mountains.
In the east are the Cameroon mountains, in the south and west are the waves of the Atlantic, where the westernmost point of Africa is located - Cape Almadi in Senegal. Such natural boundaries are outlined West Africa, which is conventionally divided into two regions: the arid Sahel adjacent to the desert and Sudan, which is more comfortable for living. This part of the continent is home to sixteen countries, the largest of which are Niger, Mali and Mauritania, and the smallest is Cape Verde (Cape Verde).
Climate features, flora and fauna
The most difficult climatic conditions are in the northern Sahel, which is covered by desert year after year. The region is officially recognized as one of the hottest on the planet - in winter the temperature rarely drops below +20 °C, and in summer it confidently stays at +40 °C. At this time, all the vegetation here dies, and the herbivorous inhabitants of the savannah (mainly antelopes and gazelles) migrate south.
West African countries, located in the Sahel, periodically find themselves on the brink of disaster due to monstrous droughts that can last up to five to six years. But in Sudan, agriculture is much better developed. In Togo, coffee, cocoa beans and cotton are grown and exported, in Gambia - peanuts and corn, in Mauritania - dates and rice.
Sudan receives much more rainfall than the Sahel - it is brought by the summer monsoons. In addition, many rivers flow here, so closer to the Atlantic the vegetation is more abundant (even lush tropical forests), and the animal world is much richer.
History and modernity
European colonialists were attracted to West Africa back in the 15th century - the British, Portuguese, and French created fortified outposts on the coast, imposing their conditions on the local tribes. Most states managed to completely free themselves from the tutelage of metropolises only in the second half of the last century.
As a legacy of such total dependence, the countries of West Africa received deep-rooted enmity with their neighbors, who were under the control of other European “patrons.” The region is famous for political instability - military coups, riots and civil wars are common here.
Western Africa is rich in mineral resources. Ghana is one of the leading suppliers of gold, Nigeria's budget is 80% dependent on oil trade, Sierra Leone produces diamonds, and Niger produces uranium. At the same time, only raw materials are supplied to the world market; the processing industry is underdeveloped. Almost all countries in the region are included in the list of the poorest countries on the planet with a very unfavorable epidemiological situation and a low level of healthcare.
List of West African countries
