West-central Africa may be considered as an eastern extension of western Africa: in the north are the savannas of Chad, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and South Sudan, stretching to the Nile River, and in the south is the largely forested area of the Congo River basin. Africa, the planet's 2nd largest continent and the second most-populous continent (after Asia) includes (54) individual countries, and Western Sahara, a member state of the African Union whose statehood is disputed by Morocco. African regions are treated under the titles Central Africa, eastern Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, and western Africa; these articles also contain the principal treatment of African historical and cultural development. Many African countries became highly dependent on foreign aid. The sudden loss of both Soviet and American aid at the end of the Cold War and fall of the USSR resulted in severe economic and political turmoil in the countries most dependent on foreign support. Description: This Map of Africa shows seas, country boundaries, countries, capital cities, major cities, islands and lakes in Africa. Size: 1600x1600px / 677 Kb | 1250x1250px / 421 Kb Author: Ontheworldmap.com Detailed Maps of Africa Maps of African Regions Sadio Mane and Achraf Hakimi have been nominated for this year's Ballon d'Or - but when will an African claim football's top individual prize for the first time since 1995? African people or Africans are people who belong to any ethnic, racial, or national group with origins in Africa. Today, it primarily refers to people who are from Africa and reside in the continent, as well as the African diaspora. 15 Sep 2026 28:00 From: Inside Story Why do some African leaders gamble with term limits? Protesters in the DRC denounce law that could extend president’s term. Peter Spencer, founder of the Mother African Union Church, started the festival in 1814, two years before the church became the birthplace of the entire AME denomination. The African Continent: Map, History & Key Facts The African continent is the world’s second-largest continent by both area and population. Covering roughly 30.3 million km², it makes up about 6% of Earth’s total surface and around 20% of its land area.