Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent in the world, after Asia.
It covers about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) which includes adjacent islands. It also accounts for 6% of the total surface area on earth and 20% of its land area.
Africa is surrounded by the Red Sea and the Isthmus of Suez to the northeast, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
Madagascar and several archipelagos are part of the continent.
Algeria is Africa’s largest country in terms of land area, and Nigeria is its most populous country.
Is Africa wider than Asia? No, Asia is the largest in terms of size and population.
Size of Africa Compared to Asia by Landmass
Asia is the world’s largest continent, spanning 17.2 million square miles (44.6 million square kilometres).
As the largest continent in the world in terms of geography, it gives Asia an advantage in the size of its population, which is over 4.6 billion.
Asia also has the highest and lowest points on the planet.
Mount Everest, at 29,035 feet (8,850 meters) above sea level, is the highest point.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point, at more than 1,414 feet (431 meters) below sea level.
On the other hand, Africa is the second-largest continent in terms of landmass.
It covers an area of 11.6 million square miles (30 million square kilometers).
Size of Africa Compared to Asia in Terms of Population
Source: statisticstimes.com
According to the United Nation’s World Population Prospects, Asia is the world’s most populous continent, with 4.68 billion people, accounting for nearly 59.5 per cent of the global population in 2021.
With approximately 1.37 billion people or 17.4 per cent of the world’s population, Africa is the second most populous continent.
Only these two continents have passed the one billion mark. Asia and Africa account for roughly 77% of the global population.
Asia is home to an estimated 4.6 billion people, accounting for roughly 60% of the world’s population. China is home to 1.42 billion of those people (in 2020).
Asia is home to seven of the ten most populous countries.
Source: statisticstimes.com
The second-largest continent (Africa) is home to an estimated 1.37 billion people, accounting for approximately 14% of the world’s population (in 2021).
Nigeria, with a population of over 211 million people, is by far the most populous country in Africa.
Comparing Africa and Asia in Terms of Economy (GDP)
Asia has the highest GDP of all countries of the world. Their GDP figure as of 2021 stands at $34.8T. Africa as a continent has one of the smallest GDPs in the world and they are better by only Oceania with a GDP of 2021 which stands at $2.6T.
Map of Africa vs. Map of Asia
Africa (pink) and Asia (green)
In terms of area and population, Asia is the largest of the five continents on the planet. The term Asia traditionally refers to the eastern portion of the Eurasian landmass, as well as the island nation of Japan and the island nations of Maritime Southeast Asia.
Except for a few Southeast Asian islands, the continent is almost entirely north of the equator. The Isthmus of Suez connects Asia to Africa, and it borders Europe (part of the same landmass) along the Ural Mountains and across the Caspian Sea.
China is the second-largest country, with an area of 9.6 million km2.
The Maldives is Asia’s smallest independent state, covering only 298 square kilometers.
Author
Abbey Johnson has a Masters degree as an engineer and has over 3 years of teaching and research experience. He is happiest when on a bike and is also interested in electric energy and computer Science.