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If you’ve played the Africa Largest Cities or Africa Coverage quizzes, these are the cities you need to know best. Here are the 10 largest cities in Africa.
Lagos – 9,968,455
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city and a major financial hub, is known for its vibrant culture and booming economy. With nearly 10 million residents, it is a bustling metropolis featuring everything from sprawling markets to luxury hotels. Lagos Island is the city’s historical heart, with a unique mix of colonial-era architecture and modern skyscrapers.
Interesting Fact:
Lagos is home to one of Africa’s largest and busiest ports, serving as a vital trade hub for the continent.
Cairo – 9,801,536
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a city where ancient history meets a thriving modern metropolis. Known for the iconic pyramids of Giza nearby, Cairo is a vibrant hub of culture, with bustling souks, historic mosques, and world-renowned museums. The Nile River cuts through the city, providing picturesque views and vital water resources.
Interesting Fact:
Cairo is home to Al-Azhar University, one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world, dating back to 970 AD.
Johannesburg – 7,860,781
Known as the “City of Gold,” Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and a major economic center in Africa. The city grew rapidly during the gold rush and has since become a hub for finance, industry, and tourism. Johannesburg also offers a rich history of apartheid-era landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods like Soweto.
Interesting Fact:
Johannesburg is one of the world’s largest man-made forests, with over 10 million trees planted across the city.
Kinshasa – 7,273,947
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, sits along the Congo River, directly across from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. Known for its dynamic music scene, Kinshasa is one of Africa’s most populous cities, offering a unique blend of African culture and French colonial history.
Interesting Fact:
Kinshasa is one of only two world capitals that face each other across a river, with Brazzaville visible from its banks.
Luanda – 6,759,313
Luanda, the capital of Angola, is a city with Portuguese influence, visible in its colonial architecture and language. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is Angola’s primary port and economic hub, particularly known for oil exports. The city combines a mix of modern high-rises and cultural landmarks.
Interesting Fact:
Luanda is often called the “Paris of Africa” due to its vibrant cultural scene and high cost of living.
Abidjan – 5,616,633
Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, is known for its impressive skyline, diverse neighborhoods, and the picturesque Ebrie Lagoon. It’s a major center for business and tourism in West Africa, with a vibrant music and art scene that reflects Ivorian culture.
Interesting Fact:
Abidjan is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, one of the largest churches in the world.
Dar Es Salaam – 5,383,728
Dar Es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, is a coastal city on the Indian Ocean. Known for its beautiful beaches and bustling port, the city is a mix of Swahili and Arab influences. It has become an important hub for trade and transportation in East Africa.
Interesting Fact:
Dar Es Salaam was once the capital of Tanzania before the title was moved to Dodoma, though it remains the country’s largest city and main port.
Alexandria – 5,362,517
Alexandria, Egypt’s historic coastal city, was founded by Alexander the Great and is famous for its ancient library and lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today, Alexandria remains an important port and cultural center along the Mediterranean coast.
Interesting Fact:
Alexandria was home to the legendary Library of Alexandria, one of the largest libraries of the ancient world.
Ibadan – 5,175,223
Ibadan, one of Nigeria’s largest cities, is known for its rich history and role as a center of commerce and culture in the southwest region. The city features a mix of traditional Yoruba culture and modern developments, with notable educational institutions and historical landmarks.
Interesting Fact:
Ibadan is home to Cocoa House, Nigeria’s first skyscraper and a symbol of its agricultural heritage.
Giza – 4,458,135
Giza, located on the west bank of the Nile near Cairo, is world-famous for the Giza Plateau, where the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx stand. The city attracts millions of tourists yearly who come to see these ancient wonders. Giza is also a bustling urban area with markets, museums, and educational institutions.
Interesting Fact:
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one still largely intact.