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The African Gourmet

The African Gourmet: Explore African Culture & Recipes

One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.
Welcome to the real Africa—told through food, memory, and truth.

Christmas & New Year in Africa

Christmas & New Year Across Africa

Holiday traditions, recipes, and celebrations

Christmas across Africa

Merry Christmas in African Languages

Traditions
Krampus dessert

Krampus's Favorite African Dessert

Recipes
New Year fireworks in Africa

How Africa Celebrates New Year

Celebrations
Black eyed pea casserole

New Year's Black Eyed Pea Casserole

Luck & Prosperity

FOOD PROVERBS

African Food Proverbs

Culinary wisdom passed down through generations

African food sayings and proverb

Best Ten African Food Sayings & Proverbs

Culinary Wisdom
Meat stew representing animal wisdom

Honoring Animal: African Wisdom of Thankfulness

Gratitude
Diverse hands placing food on shared table

Bring Something to the Table

Community
Lemon varieties representing spice of life

6 African Proverbs That Will Spice Up Your Cooking

Transformation

Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area (2025 Update)

Explore More Content

📁 Africa geography facts 📁 African facts 📁 African history
Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area (2025 Update)

Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa by Land Area

Africa — often called the Cradle of Civilization — is the world’s second-largest continent by land area and population. This 2025 update ranks the Top 20 largest African countries by land size and connects you to deeper stories about how geography shapes culture, biodiversity, politics, and spiritual traditions across the continent.

Learn more through these hubs:

Map of Africa showing the largest countries including Algeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Libya, and Chad

Africa’s landmass spans deserts, rainforests, mountains, and savannas.

Africa’s Largest Countries Ranked by Land Area (2025)

These nations contain deserts, rainforests, mountains, and fertile river basins. For context on Africa’s natural systems, explore Water in Africa, Nile Valley civilizations, and mountains that feed major rivers.

African country (largest → smaller) Area (sq mi) Area (sq km)
Algeria
Tuareg desert music & culture
919,5952,381,740
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Tippu Tip & Leopold II
905,5682,345,410
Sudan
Rare snowfall in Africa
718,7231,861,484
Libya 679,3621,759,540
Chad 495,7551,284,000
Niger
“Cancelled tribes” debate
489,1911,267,000
Angola
Cuban Cold War involvement
481,3541,246,700
Mali 478,7671,240,000
South Africa
Sangoma bone-divination
471,0111,219,912
Ethiopia
Italian war myths · Mussolini’s camps
435,1861,127,127
Mauritania
Birds & sea turtles · Junta era
397,9551,030,700
Egypt
Nile Valley civilizations
386,6621,001,450
Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater · Dragon’s Breath Cave
364,900945,087
Nigeria
Beer & nightlife · Corruption cases
356,669923,768
Namibia
Lava & glaciers (regional)
318,696825,418
Kenya
Top 10 Kenya experiences
224,962582,650
Ghana
Krobo people · Funeral philosophy
92,456239,460
Madagascar
Earthquakes & volcanoes
226,657587,040
Senegal
Butterfly migrations
75,749196,190
Cameroon
Coastal jellyfish
183,568475,440
Morocco
Language & colonial legacy
172,414446,550

Continue Exploring: Geography & Nature

Country & Culture

History & Politics

🌍 Part of our African Geography Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest country in Africa by land area?

Algeria — about 2.38 million square kilometers.

What is the smallest country in Africa?

Seychelles — roughly 455 square kilometers.

Which African countries are landlocked?

Chad, Niger, Mali, Zambia, and several others.

Which region has the most large countries?

Northern and Central Africa — including Algeria, Sudan, Libya, and the DRC.

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African Recipes Organized by Meal Time

African Drinks & Beverages

Snacks & Appetizers

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Desserts

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About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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Recipes as Revolution

Recipes as Revolution

When food becomes protest and meals carry political meaning

Loading revolutionary recipes...
African woman farmer

She Feeds Africa

Before sunrise, after sunset, seven days a week — she grows the food that keeps the continent alive.

60–80 % of Africa’s calories come from her hands.
Yet the land, the credit, and the recognition still belong to someone else.

Read her story →

To every mother of millet and miracles —
thank you.

Working Hands of Africa

The labor and love that feeds a continent

Hands holding African fruit

African Culture & Traditions

Harvest & Heritage
Hands preparing fufu

How Fufu Explains Politics

Food & Power
Farming hands in Africa

Slow Food Disappearance

Farming & Tradition
Hands with plantains

The Universal Plantain

Cooking & Community

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African Ancestors and Atlantic Hurricanes: Myth Meets Meteorology

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African ancestors and hurricanes, discover the African legend and Sahara science behind Atlantic storm paths and hurricane season. The same ocean that was a route of unimaginable human suffering and displacement (the path of the ancestors) is also the highway for some of the most powerful natural forces (hurricanes) that impact their descendants in the Americas today. Why Atlantic Hurricanes Begin in Africa and the Legend of Angry Ancestors “The ancestors' storm cleanses the path for the living.” — Inspired by West African Oral Tradition This topic connects deeply with African science and folklore , as well as the forces shaping the continent in our African geography and climate guide. Each year from June to November, the eastern coasts of the Caribbean, United States, and South America face powerful hurricanes born off Africa’s shores. But why? The scientific reason begins with Sahara Desert dust storms and the transition of thunderstorms off the west coast of Af...
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Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa

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The rich need the poor. Survival of the Fattest, obese Europeans starving Africa 📌 Learn about Africa’s powerful civilizations before Europeans . Survival of the Fattest is a sculpture of a small starving African man, carrying Lady Justice, a huge obese European woman who is a symbol of the rich world. Survival of the Fattest Meaning The copper statue Survival of the Fattest by Jens Galschiøt and Lars Calmar was created in 2002. The fat woman is holding a pair of scales as a symbol of justice however; she is closing her eyes so the justice. Galschiot symbolized the woman as being blind, refusing to see the obvious injustice. For the rich people of the world the main issue in life is that of overeating while people in the third world are dying every day from hunger. The misery of imbalanced wealth distribution is creating floods of refugees. However the rich only want to preserve their privileges and take measures so harsh against the poor they betray their morals an...
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African Proverbs for Men About the Wrong Woman in Their Life

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Charging Cell Phones in Rural Africa

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Beware of the naked man who offers you clothes African Proverb

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African Olympic Power: Top 10 Countries with the Most Gold Medals | The African Gourmet

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Perfect South African Apricot Beef Curry Recipe

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Ugali vs Fufu — What’s the Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples?

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Ugali vs Fufu — What’s the Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples? Part of the African Cuisine Hub — exploring the staple foods that unite African kitchens. Learn more from our African Staples Collection . Ugali vs Fufu — The Difference Between Africa’s Beloved Staples Across Africa, two staple dishes define comfort and culture: Ugali from East and Southern Africa, and Fufu from West and Central Africa. Both are starch-based foods eaten daily, yet their preparation, ingredients, and cultural roots differ beautifully. Quick Difference: Ugali is made by boiling cornmeal into a dough-like texture, while Fufu is boiled and pounded yam, plantain, or cassava. Making Ugali in Kenya Ugali Recipe Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 30 min Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Boil water in a saucepan. Slowly pour in the cornmeal while stirring continuously. Add more corn...
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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.