Why Africa has 54 countries, more than any other continent
Africa has 54 UN-recognised countries, more than any other continent. Here's how the number came about, and why some people count differently.
Short answer
Africa has 54 countries recognised by the United Nations, more than Asia (around 48) or Europe (around 44). Most of today's borders date from the colonial era, and the newest country, South Sudan, became independent in 2011.
Africa has 54 countries that are members of the United Nations. That is more than any other continent: Asia has about 48 and Europe about 44, depending on how you count countries that straddle both.
Where the borders came from
Most of Africa's borders were drawn by European colonial powers. At the Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885, they agreed rules for claiming African territory, and over the following decades the continent was divided into colonies with straight lines on maps that often cut across communities, languages and kingdoms.
When African countries won their independence, mostly between the late 1950s and the 1970s, their leaders largely agreed to keep these colonial borders to avoid conflict. The Organisation of African Unity confirmed this principle in 1964. Only two African countries were never colonised in the usual sense: Ethiopia and Liberia.
The newest country
The most recent addition is South Sudan, which voted to separate from Sudan and became independent on 9 July 2011. Before that, Eritrea became independent from Ethiopia in 1993.
Why some lists say 55
The African Union has 55 members. The extra one is the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which claims Western Sahara. It is not a member of the UN, and its status is disputed with Morocco. Somaliland, in the north of Somalia, has governed itself since 1991 but has very limited international recognition.
From the biggest to the smallest
The 54 countries vary hugely in size. Algeria, the largest, covers about 2.4 million km². Seychelles, the smallest, covers just 459 km². Nigeria has the most people, more than 200 million, while Seychelles has around 100,000.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are in Africa?
There are 54 African countries recognised by the United Nations. The African Union has 55 members because it also includes the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara).
Which is the newest country in Africa?
South Sudan, which became independent from Sudan on 9 July 2011.
Which African countries were never colonised?
Ethiopia and Liberia are usually named. Ethiopia was occupied by Italy from 1936 to 1941 but was never made a colony in the usual way.
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