Largest city in africa by area Feb 7, 2023 · Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. 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. A city can be defined by the inhabitants of its demographic population, as by metropolitan area, or labour market area. Egypt’s capital, Cairo, built along the banks of the Nile, is home to more than 22 million residents, and ranks as Africa’s largest city. Jan 21, 2025 · Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal, located on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of mainland Africa. The biggest economies are Nigeria, South Africa Jun 3, 2021 · The distribution of the 100 largest cities in 2020 across countries is set out in Table 1. In South Africa, the gold city of Johannesburg is the largest city and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. Dec 23, 2022 · Area Size: 1,644. The urban landscape of Northern Africa centers around Egypt’s major metropolitan areas, with Cairo leading as the region’s largest city with 7. Mar 22, 2022 · Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and its economic capital. The city is the 15th largest city in the world and is located near the Nile Delta. 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. Urban population: 933,688 Country Oct 10, 2023 · But where are the largest cities in Africa today? 1. 15/15 . It is the provincial headquarters of the wealthiest province in South Africa, Gauteng. Dar is also included in our list of East Africa Cities. Mar 2, 2019 · Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is one of the largest city areas in Africa and the largest in the Middle East. Here you will find a list of the 133 largest cities in Africa. 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. The 34th largest city in 1800, Kairouan, had 20,000 inhabitants, while the 34th largest city in 2020, Brazzaville, had 2. The famed city has some of the tallest structures on the continent and is one of the most developed urban areas in Africa. 3 million sq km), thus covering 6% of the total surface area of the Earth and 20. The aggregation to "reasonable" urban areas was done by »City Population«. 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. It is the country’s legislative capital and one of its most famous tourist destinations. 2016 Community Survey [1], World Urbanization Prospects: The 2018 Revision [2] Rank Name Province Pop. 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. Jo'burg is home to the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, Gold Reef City, and Constitution Hills Human Rights Precinct which offers information to the history of SA. Most towns are no longer separate municipalities, their local governments having been merged into larger structures . When the surrounding metropolitan area is included, Cairo has a population of 14. Oct 4, 2018 · At 21 million inhabitants (2016 est. Johannesberg :The largest city of South Africa, it stands as a reminiscent of struggle against apartheid. Nov 22, 2023 · Africa’s seventh largest and Nigeria’s third most-populous city (but largest by geographical area) sits about 80 miles Northwest of Lagos. ZANZIBAR CITY, 15. Kinshasa. 2, respectively. Xenobiologista Sep 30, 2024 · Among the largest 15 urban agglomerations in Africa, Cairo, Accra, and Lagos ranked as the most polluted cities. Tokyo took the crown from New York in 1950, and in turn, Delhi is expected to end Tokyo’s reign in 2028. 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. 5. It is the largest city in what has been called “Southern Africa’s largest metropolitan area” and it is also the largest Portuguese-speaking African city. 6M), Ibadan (3. Country: DR Congo; Population: 17. S. Home > Africa > Largest cities The thousand-year-old city of Cairo, the capital of Egypt, commands this ranking considering the urban agglomerations, while it is bypassed by Kinshasa as regards only the city borders. 1M ), and Benin City ( 1. 267 square kilometers. The fourth city to be awarded the status was Nakuru, which was upgraded from a municipality on 1 December 2021. Apr 3, 2025 · The historic city is over 200 years old with a land area of 1,010 square kilometres. Sep 18, 2024 · The massiveness of Alaska's land area reflects in its cities, with Sitka topping the list at 2,870. 5 million. However, beyond simply being a large city in South Africa when it comes to population, Pretoria is an important place in the country. From mega-cities to ancient cities, these are the 5 biggest cities in Africa. The port in Luanda provides important logistical support for the country. Lagos :The commercial capital of Nigeria, it is the most populous city of the most populous nation of Africa. Because population counts in each country occur at different times, the list of numbers is meant as a rough indicator of relative size. 9 million. While the 2016 population of Cairo is 12 million, the Greater Cairo area has over 20 million people. Cairo is a primate city, as the second largest city of Alexandria is only 30% of Cairo’s size. It is the 3rd largest urban area in the Islamic World behind Jakarta and Karachi. Mar 26, 2019 · Here is a list of the largest urban areas in South Africa according to SA Stat. 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. It houses South Africa’s constitutional court, and it is a major finance center in the country. It is one of the largest cities in Africa with more than 20 million people living in the urban area. Cairo, Egypt is the third largest city in Africa and the largest one in the Arab world. Kinshasa is located on the south bank of the Congo River, about 320 miles (515 km) from the Atlantic Ocean. Apr 13, 2024 · These top three cities together account for over 24 million people, underscoring the concentration of urban populations in specific areas. By 2050, Africa’s population is projected to double, surpassing 2 billion people. Largest Cities In Africa Top 10 List 10. Figures for administrative areas are also given. 7 million. 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. 7 million square miles (30. The population was estimated at just 11. The city proper has a population density of about 2,900 people per square kilometer (7,400 per square mile). Lagos (/ ˈ l eɪ ɡ ɒ s / LAY-goss; [10] [11] also US: / ˈ l ɑː ɡ oʊ s / LAH-gohss; [11] [12] Yoruba: Èkó), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwest Nigeria. Among the five largest urban agglomerations in Africa are four familiar hubs of global business, media and policy making – Cairo, Lagos, Johannesburg and Kinshasa. com (modified by author) Source: UGC The municipalities of South Africa as of 2016. May 29, 2024 · Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya, is a prominent political, financial, and cultural hub in East Africa. 98 km2 (635. 23 square miles). 81 square Hence, Pretoria is one of the largest cities in South Africa. Note: Population stats are from actual censuses conducted as well as credible projections or forecasts. 6M ) and Ibadan ( 3. Cairo is located near the Nile Delta, in the center of Egypt. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, and the most populous urban area on the African continent. However, we have given metro population as the leading indicator followed by land area – then regional influence, and lastly, infrastructure. Lagos surpassed Cairo in size in 2012 to become the largest city of Africa. Jacksonville, Florida, is the most expansive city in the contiguous United States, with a land area of 747. Jul 30, 2019 · The city is part of the Gauteng, the largest province in South Africa in population, and is also part of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. Capetown is located in South Africa, It ranks third among the most populous area in South Africa. 1, and 88. The population of all South African urban areas with more than 15,000 inhabitants by census years. There is no absolute clear-cut way of determining the largest city. Some of the most popular cities of Africa include: Cairo :The capital of Egypt, it is the most populous city of Africa. Johannesburg is the densest collection of skyscrapers in Africa. Feb 9, 2025 · Ranking Africa’s Largest Cities. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. The population is spread over a total surface area of 334. It has a population of 4. The largest city in South Africa in terms of the landmass is Cape Town with an area of 2,446 km². These cities are not just expansive, many of them serve as economic, political, and cultural hubs for their nations. The city is one of the fifty most populous urban areas in the world and the biggest metropolis not located on a river, lake, or coastline. 2. 1M ). 28 square kilometers (452. This is a list of municipalities of South Africa. 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. Located on a raw harbour with sandy beaches and beautiful attractions sites; the city is a major tourist destination in the country. 3 mi², followed by Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage. In addition to Lagos , Nigeria is home to the cities of Kano ( 3. Capetown. 5 million people and a landmass area of 2,417 km2. This is a list of cities and towns in Gauteng Province, South Africa. 8 km 2. It is the provisional capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province on South Africa. It lies about 320 miles (515 km) from the Atlantic Ocean on the south bank of the Congo River. The city is renowned for its historic culture dating back to Ancient Egypt. It has a total population of approximately 9. 6M), and Kaduna (1. 05 million people. 4 Million Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of 4. the world one would be cool with a map, although it'd be a massive undertaking to make. The city is known for its textile, food processing and manufacturing industries. What is the most developed city in West Africa? Lagos, Nigeria, is the most developed city in West Africa. Jul 13, 2019 · The largest city in Africa by size is without a doubt Cairo, which has a metropolitan area of 17. Nairobi is a major financial capital of Africa, and one of the most modern cities in Africa. 7M residents, followed by Alexandria with 3. 6M). The Johannesburg Metropolitan Area covers a total area of 1,296 square miles. Sep 30, 2022 · It is said that the largest city in Africa flourished from the slave trade. The ten largest cities in Africa. Johannesburg - 4. This is the case for the largest U. 2 km 2 was built up. 5 million inhabitants - Onitsha, Nigeria – is, however, not (yet) a familiar household name. Lagos, the most populous city In Africa is the sixth Nigeria’s largest city by land area (1,171 km²), Lagos is the country’s economic powerhouse, generating about 30-35% of Nigeria’s GDP, and is home to major financial institutions, including the region’s biggest banks. xbmef bozer yjh uzv qtzexkh ckfnnq ijxhi gqpsl twack emeyua duzqn nhigr bpyd rscwh buvzu