About this quiz
Since South Sudan’s independence redrew the map in 2011, the answer to "what’s the largest country in Africa?" trips up almost everyone. The top ten is dominated by the Sahara and its fringes — huge, sparsely-populated states that rarely come to mind — plus a couple of southern heavyweights. Type a country to reveal its rank and area.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t Sudan the largest country in Africa?
It was until 2011, when South Sudan became independent and Sudan dropped behind Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pre-2011 atlases are the main reason this quiz catches people out.
Does Egypt make the top ten?
Play and find out — it’s one of the closest calls on the list, and one of the most common answers people try.