Largest city in africa by area Among the five largest urban agglomerations in Africa are four familiar hubs of global business, media and policy making – Cairo, Lagos, Johannesburg and Kinshasa. Luanda is the largest city in Angola, with a population of around 5 million people. 6M ), as well as Kaduna ( 1. Lagos :The commercial capital of Nigeria, it is the most populous city of the most populous nation of Africa. Therefore, we can simply say Pretoria is a powerful city. Asia’s largest cities, Tokyo (37 million) and Delhi (35 million) are also the largest cities in the world. Kinshasa is located on the south bank of the Congo River, about 320 miles (515 km) from the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll be shocked at how populated some of these cities are. It is the most densely populated city in the DRC, the most populous city and third-largest metropolitan area in Africa, and the world's twenty-second most populous city and fourth-most populous capital city. The exchange is Africa's fourth largest in terms of May 23, 2022 · 5 Biggest Cities In Africa. Johannesburg is one of the 50 largest urban cities in the world. The following is a list of the 100 largest cities in Africa by urban population using the most recent official estimate. Johannesburg Cape Town: 1: Largest cities in the Arab world by official cities proper: [2] Rank Country City Population Founding date List of largest metropolitan areas of the Middle East; Apr 25, 2017 · It covers a total area of 197,000 square kilometers with population of about 13 million people of which 42% live in urban areas. Oct 30, 2023 · This is the criteria that has been used to adjudge the Top 10 largest cities in Africa's most populated country, Nigeria, often dubbed 'The Giant of Africa'. Cairo is the third largest city in Africa by population. 3 million sq km), thus covering 6% of the total surface area of the Earth and 20. 5 million. However, if you look at the population, then Lagos in Nigeria is the largest city in Africa with 21 million inhabitants. Cairo, Egypt Population estimate: 19,372,000. Text is The largest city in Brazil and the third-largest in the world, Altamira, is 159,534 square kilometers (61,596 square miles) and has a population of 109,938. The city is home to several of the tallest structures in Africa. Cairo, Egypt – 7. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province in South Africa. Known as the “City of Gold” due to its origins in the gold and diamond trade, Johannesburg is a cultural melting pot with a rich history and a vibrant arts scene. 3 million people living there. Mar 22, 2022 · Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and its economic capital. However, beyond simply being a large city in South Africa when it comes to population, Pretoria is an important place in the country. Senegal has a total of 47 cities and seven other settlements. It houses the NECOM house towers, the tallest building in West Africa Sep 12, 2024 · Population of largest city clusters in Africa 2021; Safely managed sanitation services in Sub-Saharan Africa 2015-2020, by area; Most dangerous cities in Africa 2024; The capital of Angola is one of the largest cities in Africa with a population of 6. 05 million people. The 34th largest city in 1800, Kairouan, had 20,000 inhabitants, while the 34th largest city in 2020, Brazzaville, had 2. Oct 4, 2018 · At 21 million inhabitants (2016 est. 5. Kenya’s capital and largest city (metro area: 7 million The following is a list of the largest cities by population and of capital cities in the geographic region of East Africa. 4% of the land surface. South Africa has 5 cities with more than a million people, 49 cities with between 100,000 and 1 million people, and 162 cities with between 10,000 and 100,000 people. The third major Egyptian metropolis, Giza, maintains 2. The largest city in South Africa is Cape Town , with a population of 3,433,441 people. [1] [2] [circular reference]São Paulo in Brazil is the most populous city in the Americas, the western hemisphere and also the southern hemisphere. It is the provincial headquarters of the wealthiest province in South Africa, Gauteng. It is the country’s legislative capital and one of its most famous tourist destinations. These cities are not just expansive, many of them serve as economic, political, and cultural hubs for their nations. If the metropolitan area is defined loosely to include areas like the West Rand and Lenasia, the population is about 10. 98 km2 (635. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. 6M), Ibadan (3. The NSE was officially recognised as an overseas stock exchange by the London Stock Exchange in 1953. Jul 13, 2019 · The largest city in Africa by size is without a doubt Cairo, which has a metropolitan area of 17. 23 square miles). It has a population of 4. Africa is the second largest and most populous continent in the world after Asia. 3. Most of Johannesburg's wealth is concentrated in Sandton, home to the JSE (the largest stock market in Africa) and the head offices of most of Africa's largest banks and corporates. City Size and Population Density. In 2020, Cairo remained the continent’s largest city but with more than 20 million inhabitants. Largest Cities/Urban Areas Tables: Regional: Africa [ North Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Africa] Asia [ Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia] Europe [ Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Balkans] Oceania + Australia North America [ Central America, Caribbean] South America Mar 25, 2025 · From Lagos in the west to Johannesburg in the south, Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, with over 50 countries and many cities driving economic growth. A city can be defined by the inhabitants of its demographic population, as by metropolitan area, or labour market area. Cairo, Egypt – 22. 13 sq mi) Density: 3,400/km2 (8,900/sq mi) Country: South Africa Kinshasa is the largest city in Africa by population. The urban landscape of Northern Africa centers around Egypt’s major metropolitan areas, with Cairo leading as the region’s largest city with 7. It lies about 320 miles (515 km) from the Atlantic Ocean on the south bank of the Congo River. With 21 million residents, Lagos earns itself the title of a MEGA city, and it is currently growing at a rate of 2-3% The population figures refer to the metropolitan area of Africa's capitals. Mar 21, 2024 · Dar es Salaam is not only Tanzania’s largest city, but it is also the largest port city in East Africa. City population figures: Population figures are based on the concept of "City proper" which is is one of the basic concepts used to define urban areas and populations. Kinshasa, the largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as in Africa, is the nation's financial and economic centre. Feb 9, 2025 · Ranking Africa’s Largest Cities. There is no absolute clear-cut way of determining the largest city. 267 square kilometers. It is the capital of Egypt and has a population of about 7. This is a list of cities and towns in Gauteng Province, South Africa. 3 mi², followed by Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage. Cities in EAP show a consistent drop in rank that is relatively independent of the socioeconomic pathway, dropping from 21 in 2010 to approximately 11 in 2100. Nov 15, 2020 · Top 10 Most Populated Urban Cities in Africa (2025) 1. [1] Algeria has been the largest country in Africa and the Arab world since the division of Sudan in 2011. The population is spread over a total surface area of 334. 6M). Apr 13, 2024 · These top three cities together account for over 24 million people, underscoring the concentration of urban populations in specific areas. When it comes to population, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with 6,065,000 inhabitants. 2 Number of Residents in Millions Cities Largest Cities In Africa 9000 0 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 6k 7k 8k 9k Kinshasa Cairo Alexandria Abidjan Kano Ibadan Cape Town Casablanca Northern Africa Cities Overview. Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, is the largest city in Africa by land mass, with 22,000 square kilometers. Jun 13, 2021 · Cairo is the largest city both by population and area in the Continent of Africa located in Egypt with a metro population of 9,120,350 with over 6,000 sq km Area. This page was last edited on 21 March 2025, at 23:49 (UTC). Sep 8, 2023 · Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, boasts numerous cities with unique charm and cultural significance. 2 million in 2011 by the United Nations. [9] In 1952, it was estimated that the total area of the city was approximately 103. Apr 29, 2019 · The populations in urban areas, especially cities, are continuously burgeoning to form the largest cities in Africa, while the once small towns are elevating their status to huge cities. It has a total population of approximately 9. What is the largest city in Africa? Lagos, Nigeria, is the largest city in Africa by population. 1. In addition to Lagos , Nigeria is home to the cities of Kano ( 3. [21] However, only 36. Figures are from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects report, as well as from citypopulation. 81 square Hence, Pretoria is one of the largest cities in South Africa. The city leads the ranking of the “most populated cities in Africa” with a population surpassing 24 million. While Lagos city is superior in population and GDP, its city limits aren't as big as Ibadan, which boasts an expansive land area and is currently the largest city in Nigeria by land mass. Capetown. The port in Luanda provides important logistical support for the country. 5 Km 2. Feb 7, 2023 · Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is one of the country’s capital cities, and the seat of executive power. Nicknamed “Egoli” or “City of Gold” due to its historical significance in the South African gold rush, Johannesburg is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history and diverse culture. Kenya has five incorporated cities including the capital and largest city, Nairobi, the second-largest city of Mombasa, and the third-largest city, Kisumu. 6M), and Kaduna (1. But which cities are the largest? Sep 24, 2016 · The number of high-income cities that fall from the list of 101 largest cities is reduced with the more sustainable pathways SSP1 and SSP2, with 21 and 14 high-income cities, respectively. From mega-cities to ancient cities, these are the 5 biggest cities in Africa. 2 days ago · Kinshasa, largest city and capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nairobi is home to the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), one of Africa's largest stock exchanges. Note that double listings may reflect different spellings or definitions of urban agglomerations. Find out more about the largest cities in Africa. This is the case for the largest U. 1M ), and Benin City ( 1. 5x the UK’s total population. UNICEF defines metropolitan area as follows: It is the 3 rd largest urban area or biggest city in Africa after Cairo and is the 2 nd largest French-speaking urban area in the world after Paris. However, we have given metro population as the leading indicator followed by land area – then regional influence, and lastly, infrastructure. May 16, 2022 · Founded in the Witwatersrand Gold Rush of 1886, this is the wealthiest city in Africa. The following is a list of the 100 largest cities in the Americas by city proper population using the most recent official estimate. Country: DR Congo; Population: 17. Some of the biggest cities in Senegal include; Biggest Cities In Senegal Apr 13, 2024 · With the help of the map below, can you name the 100 biggest cities in Africa? Main source: CityPopulation's agglomeration page , 2024. Zanzibar City is one of the Largest Cities, which is located in Tanzania, is the capital of Zanzibar, and is its largest city. Topping the list as the biggest city in Africa, Lagos is the 7th fastest growing city in the entire world. Some of the most popular cities of Africa include: Cairo :The capital of Egypt, it is the most populous city of Africa. acctwvn fxozerj wgzix uxjla erynr kxdu cdw abmnrz sibhtf shjrhmt sfluk schto hlxxuhx vxbwhw wzofua