The Largest Cities in Africa: Map & Overview by Study.com

The Largest Cities in Africa

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The Largest Cities in Africa
Map
&
Overview
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Author
Instructor
Devon Denomme
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Christopher
Muscato
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Traveling to Africa? Through looking at African Maps, explore the
largest cities of Africa. Learn about the population and capital cities of
African nations.

Table of Contents

• What Are The Largest Cities in Africa?
• Travel Tips When Visiting Africa
• Lesson Summary

What Are The Largest Cities in
Africa?

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SOUTH
AFRICA
Scale 1:31,400,000
Azimathal Equal-Arca Projection
Indian Ocean
Africa is a growing continent in terms of population. This map provides
the major cities of the region.
Africa is home to many up-and-coming nations and is a continent of
immense beauty. Africa is the second largest continent in the world
after Asia, and around 1.21 billion people live there. From its extensive
landscapes to the many cultures found within the fifty-four countries
on the continent, Africa has much to offer tourists, businesses, and the
native population alike. Societal development has been taking place in
Africa for many years and many large cities have grown across the
landmass. The largest city in Africa by population is currently Lagos,
Nigeria, with over 9 million urban residents. This lesson will explore
some of the largest cities in Africa and give insight about each one,
including:

• Lagos, Nigeria
• Abjua, Nigeria
• Kano, Nigeria
• Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• .
• .
• Atlantic
• Luanda, Angola
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Durban, South Africa
• Johannesburg, South Africa
• Pretoria, South Africa
• Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Nairobi, Kenya
• Mogadishu, Somalia
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Cairo, Egypt
• Alexandria, Egypt
• Casablanca, Morocco
• Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Accra, Ghana

Each city on this list will be explored in the following sections of
discussion by navigating through a map of Africa.

Map of Africa's Largest Cities

Beginning in Lagos, Nigeria and going counter-clockwise around the
continent of Africa, each city named above will be described. Lagos is
the most populous city in Africa, being the home of over 9 million
residents in the metropolitan area. Lagos is the economic capital of
Nigeria and the seventh fastest growing city in the world. Nigeria is
located in the south-central portion of Africa and touches the Gulf of
Guinea. Lagos lies on the southern coast of the country, making it a
hub for production and transport of items for trade. Lagos has a total
area of 452 square miles.
" ALGIERS
. TUNIENORTH ATLANTIC
OCEAN
TUNISIA Mediterran
. MOROCCO
TRIPOLI
ALGERIA
Western Sahara
(Disputed)
LIBYA
MAURITANIA
NOUMICHOTT
NIGER
DAKAR
MALI
SENEGAL
NAMEY
.NOAMENA
FASO
NIGERIA
SIERRA
LEONE L
CO
D'IVOIRE
TOGO
CENTRAL AF
REPUBL
LIBERIA
NOCRA.
C
Lagos
CAMEROON BANGU,
Gulf of
Guinea
"YAQUINCE
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
DEMO
OF
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRINCIPE
LIREVILLE REPUBLIC REP
GABON OF THE
CONGO
CO
ALANDA

Lagos, Nigeria to Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria was the first planned city in Nigeria. Abuja lies inland
and became the official capital of the country in 1991. Abuja is known
for its rocky hills and dry climate for most of the year, with only a few
months making up the rainy season. Just over 3 million people call
Abuja home, and the population of the city is growing very quickly. Abuja is the eighth largest city in Nigeria by population and is 683
square miles in area.
. TUNNIS
ALDIERS
CHAD
THE GAFIBIA
GUINEA-BISSAU
BURKINA*
GUINEA
BENIN
GHANANORTH ATLANTIC
OCEAN
TUNISIA Mediterranean
MOROCCO
TRIPOLI
ALGERIA
Western Sahara
(Disputed)
LIBYA
MAURITANIA
"NOUMCCHOTT
NIGER
MALI
SENEGAL
NAMEY
.NOAMENA
FASO
GUINEA
NIERIA
BENIN
SIERRA
LEONEL
COTE GHANA
D'IVOIRE
TOGO
CENTRAL AFRIC
REPUBLIC
LIBERIA
CAMEROON DANGU,
Gulf of
Guinea
"YAOUNCE
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRINCIPE
PREVILLE REPUBLIC
GABON OF THE
DEMOCRA
REPUBL
OF THE
CONG
CONGO
LLLANDA

Abuja, Nigeria to Kano, Nigeria

Kano, Nigeria lays in the north-central part of the country and is the
second largest city in Nigeria. Kano is the capital of the Kano State of
Nigeria. Nearly 4.1 million people live in the city, with a steady
population growth of around 3.5% annually. Kano serves as a large
market and trading hub for many businesses throughout Africa and is
a great place to network for commerce opportunities. The city covers
192 square miles.
NORTH ATLANTIC
" ALDIERS
. TUNNIG
YHIMCIA
CHAD
THE GAFIBIA
GUINEA-BISSAU
BURKINA"
( KanoOCEAN
Mediterranean Sea
MOROCCO
" TRIPOLI
CAIRO
Western Sahara
[Disputed)
LIBYA
EGYP
MAURITANIA
NOUMICHOTT
SU
MAR
MALI
SENEGAL
E GATIBIA
INEA BISSAU
„SAMLAICO
BURKINA"
Q Kano
FASO
NIGERIA
SIERRA
GHANA
HABUJA
SO
SU
LIBERIA
CAMEROONBAGU,
Gulf of
Guinea
EQUATORIAL GUINEA J
DEMOCRATIC
LIBREVILLE REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
GABON \OF THE
CONGO
CONGO RWA
ANGOLA
ZAMBIA

Kano, Nigeria to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Leaving Nigeria and heading southeast, Kinshasa, Democratic
Republic of the Congo is the nation's capital and largest city. Kinshasa
is located inland and is another trading hub, mainly for oil, minerals,
lumber, and agricultural items. The city is 200 square miles in area.
Kinshasa is the second largest French speaking city in the world,
following Paris, France. Kinshasa has a population of 7.8 million
people, making it Africa's second largest city by population.
SUDAN
NIGER
CHAD
ERITREA
NIGER
CHAD
NAMEY
.NGAMENA
GUINEA
BENIN
COTE
LEONE LTD'IVOIRE
TOGO
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
ALGERIA.NOTAMENA
DJIBOUTI
NIGERIA
ADDS ARARA
"ABUJA
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
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SUDAN
ETHIOPIA
CAMEROON DAGU,
. JUS A
"YAOUNCE
SOMALIA
GUINEA
LISEVILLE REPUBLIC
GABON
OF THE
CIPE
CONGO
CONGO RWANDA
BURUNDI
TANZANIA
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GLANDA
ANGOLA
MALAWI
ZAMBIA
LLBAKA .
. ULONOWE
HARARE. MOZAMBIQUE
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Channel
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WINDHOEK
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PRETORIA
.
MAPUTO
SWAZILAND
LESOTHO
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo to Luanda, Angola

To the southwest, Luanda, Angola is a coastal city which houses just
under 7 million residents. Luanda is the fastest growing city in Africa
and is projected to have 9 million residents by 2030. The city is a
center for trade, with goods such as oil, ore, jewels, and fish
dominating the export market. The city is just under 44 square miles in
area, which makes it the largest city and capital of Angola.
NOJAMENA
DJIBOUT
GERIA
ADDS ARARA
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
UGANDA KENYA
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SUDAN
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. JUS A
"YAQUINCE
SOMALIA
INEAJ
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
GANDA
KAMPA LA.
KENYA
GABON
OF THE
E
CONGO
CONGO RWANDA
BURUNDI
KINSHASA
TANZANIA
C
LLANDA
ANGOLA
MALAWI
ZAMBIA
LLBAKA .
.ULOW OWE
HARARE* MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE
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NAMIBIA
MozambiqueNTNUIMAM
Channel
BOTSWANA
WEDHOEK
GABORONE
PRETORIA
.
MAPUTO
SWAZILAND
LESOTHO
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN
O

Luanda, Angola to Cape Town, South Africa

Heading very far to the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town, South
Africa is the legislative capital and second most populous city in the
nation. Cape Town is home to over 4 million people. The nation speaks
primarily English, having been influenced heavily by the British empire
during the colonial era. Cape Town ranges 950 square miles and is the
southernmost city of Africa. It holds a popular tourism market, and
being located on the edge of both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
makes it a prime location for shipping and trade.
.NGAMENA
DJIBOUTI
LIA
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
LIBREVILLE REPUBLICALOS ARARA
.
SOUTH
SUDAN
ETHIOPIA
IMEROON DANOU,
. JUS A
"YAOUNCE
SOMALIA
PEVILLE REPUBLIC
BABON OF THE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
KAMPA LA.
CONGO
CONGO RWANDA
BURUNDI
KINGHAGA
TANZANIA
.ALJANDA
ANGOLA
MALAWI
ZAMBIA
. ULOW OWE
LLBAKA .
HARARE. MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE
MADAGASCAR
NAMIBIA
BOTSWANA
WINDHOEK
GABORONE
PRETORIA
.
MAPUTO
SWAZILAND
LESCO O
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town, South Africa to Durban, South Africa

Durban, South Africa is located northeast of Cape Town and rests on
the waters of the Indian Ocean. Durban is the third most populous city
in South Africa and home to 3.5 million people. The city covers a total
area of 87 square miles. It is known for its warm climate and many
waterways, making it yet another vital asset to the economy of South
Africa. The largest population of wealthy residents from South Africa
live in Durban.
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
SUDAN
ETHIOPIA
AMEROON BANGU,
. JUBA
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
UGANDA
KENYA
Durban
MozambiqueNTNUIMANO
Channel"YAQUINCE
SO
PREVILLE REPUBLIC
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC
OF THE
CONGO RWANDA
UGANDA
KAMPA LA.
KENYA
GABON
OF THE
CONGO
NAIROBI
BURUNDI
TANZANIA
DODOMA.
ANGOLA
MALAWI
ZAMBIA
LLBAKA .
. ULOW OWE
HA MARE* MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE
MAI
NAMIBIA
MozambiqueNIN
Channel
BOTSWANA
WINDHOEK
GABORONE
PRETORIA
.
MAPUTO
Johannesburg O
SWAZILAND
LESOTHO
INDIAN
OCEAN
SOUTH AFRICA
CAPE TOWN

Durban, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa

The largest city in the country, Johannesburg, South Africa is the
residence of nearly 5 million people. It is classified as a megacity,
clocking in at almost 1,300 square miles for the urban portion of the
city alone. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of the wealthiest
province in South Africa, Gauteng. Johannesburg is located in the
center of the country.
REPUBLIC
EROONBANGU,
. JUS A
Durban