North Africa Map
North Africa stretches along the Mediterranean coast and deep into the Sahara Desert. This region of six countries connects the Arab world to Sub-Saharan Africa, featuring ancient civilizations along the Nile and vast desert landscapes. Learn to identify each country by its shape, borders, and geographic features.
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Study the Countries
Algeria Algeria
Borders: Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania
Area: 2,381,741 km² · Coastline: 998 km
Algeria is the largest country in Africa, occupying the central portion of North Africa. It has a Mediterranean coastline to the north and extends deep into the Sahara Desert to the south. The Atlas Mountains run along the northern region, separating the fertile coastal plains from the vast desert interior.
Shape: A very large, roughly rectangular country dominating the central-western portion of North Africa, wider at the south than the north.
Fun Facts
- Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area, covering over 2.3 million km².
- About 80% of Algeria's territory is covered by the Sahara Desert.
- Algeria shares borders with six countries, more than any other North African nation.
Egypt Egypt
Borders: Libya, Sudan
Area: 1,001,450 km² · Coastline: 2,450 km
Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula extending into Asia. The country is dominated by the Nile River valley and its delta in the north. The vast majority of the land is arid desert, with the Western Desert to the west and the Eastern Desert between the Nile and the Red Sea.
Shape: A roughly square-shaped country in the northeast corner of Africa, with a small triangular peninsula (Sinai) extending east across the Suez Canal.
Fun Facts
- Egypt is the only African country that extends into Asia via the Sinai Peninsula.
- The Nile River flows through Egypt for about 1,500 km, providing nearly all of the country's fresh water.
- Only about 5% of Egypt's land is inhabited, concentrated along the Nile Valley and Delta.
Libya Libya
Borders: Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Egypt
Area: 1,759,540 km² · Coastline: 1,770 km
Libya is located in the center of North Africa along the Mediterranean coast. It is the fourth-largest country in Africa, mostly covered by the Sahara Desert. The country has a long Mediterranean coastline and shares borders with six nations. The terrain is predominantly flat desert plains and plateaus.
Shape: A large country in central North Africa with a wide Mediterranean coastline that has a distinctive indentation (Gulf of Sidra) in the middle.
Fun Facts
- Libya is about 90% desert, making it one of the most arid countries in the world.
- The Gulf of Sidra creates a distinctive notch in Libya's Mediterranean coastline.
- Libya shares borders with six countries and has the longest Mediterranean coastline in Africa.
Morocco Morocco
Borders: Algeria, Mauritania
Area: 446,550 km² · Coastline: 1,835 km
Morocco is located in the far northwest corner of Africa, with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlas Mountains run through the center of the country, while the Rif Mountains line the northern coast. Southern Morocco transitions into the Sahara Desert.
Shape: A country in the northwest corner of Africa with a distinctive rectangular shape, bordered by the Atlantic to the west and Mediterranean to the north.
Fun Facts
- Morocco is the only African country with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Spain by only 14 km.
- The Atlas Mountains in Morocco reach heights of over 4,000 meters.
Tunisia Tunisia
Borders: Algeria, Libya
Area: 163,610 km² · Coastline: 1,148 km
Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa, tucked between Algeria and Libya along the Mediterranean coast. The northern part is dominated by the Atlas Mountains, while the south extends into the Sahara Desert. The country occupies the eastern end of the Atlas Mountain range and the fertile Medjerda River valley.
Shape: A small, wedge-shaped country at the northernmost point of Africa, narrowing as it extends southward between Algeria and Libya.
Fun Facts
- Tunisia contains the northernmost point of Africa, Cape Angela.
- Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa at just 163,610 km².
- The Sahara Desert covers about 40% of Tunisia's southern territory.
Mauritania Mauritania
Borders: Morocco, Algeria, Mali, Senegal
Area: 1,030,700 km² · Coastline: 754 km
Mauritania is located in western North Africa, stretching from the Atlantic coast inland across the Sahara Desert. The country bridges North Africa and West Africa, with most of its territory covered by the Sahara. Only a narrow strip along the Senegal River in the south supports agriculture.
Shape: A large country on the Atlantic coast of northwest Africa, roughly resembling an irregular rectangle with a small coastline relative to its size.
Fun Facts
- About 90% of Mauritania lies within the Sahara Desert.
- Mauritania bridges North Africa and West Africa, sharing cultural ties with both regions.
- The Richat Structure, also called the "Eye of the Sahara," is a prominent geological feature visible from space located in Mauritania.
Quick Reference
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About North Africa Geography
North Africa encompasses the six countries along the Mediterranean coast and the northern Sahara. The region is characterized by the world's largest hot desert, the Sahara, which dominates the landscape of every country in the region. The fertile Nile Valley, the Atlas Mountains, and the Mediterranean coastline provide contrast to the endless dunes and rocky plateaus of the interior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in North Africa?
North Africa has 6 countries: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. Together they cover the northern third of the African continent.
Which is the largest country in North Africa?
Algeria is the largest country in North Africa and in all of Africa, covering approximately 2.38 million km². It is also the 10th largest country in the world.
What desert dominates North Africa?
The Sahara Desert is the dominant geographic feature of North Africa, covering about 9.2 million km² across multiple countries. It is the largest hot desert in the world.