Africa Map

West Africa: Countries, Map & Complete Guide

🌴 West Africa Region

Africa's most populous region, West Africa stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Sahel. Home to vibrant cultures, the mighty Niger River, and economic powerhouse Nigeria, this region combines tropical forests, savannas, and a rich colonial and pre-colonial heritage.

16
Countries
~411M
Population
6.1M
km² Area
French/English
Main Languages

Interactive Map of West Africa

Countries in West Africa

About West Africa

Geography & Climate

West Africa features diverse landscapes ranging from coastal tropical forests to the arid Sahel. The region is characterized by:

  • The Niger River: West Africa's major waterway, flowing through Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria
  • Atlantic Coastline: Stretching from Mauritania to Nigeria with major ports
  • Sahel Region: Semi-arid transition zone in the north (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso)
  • Tropical Forests: Dense rainforests in coastal Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southern Nigeria
  • Guinea Highlands: Mountainous region spanning Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire

Culture & Languages

West Africa is incredibly diverse with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. Major languages include Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Wolof, and Akan. Colonial languages French and English serve as official languages in most countries. The region is known for its rich musical traditions, including Afrobeat, Highlife, and Mbalax.

History

West Africa has a rich pre-colonial and colonial history:

  • Ancient Empires: Ghana Empire, Mali Empire (with legendary Timbuktu), Songhai Empire
  • Trading Kingdoms: Powerful states built on gold, salt, and trans-Saharan trade
  • Slave Trade Era: Major departure point for the Atlantic slave trade (15th-19th centuries)
  • Colonial Period: Divided between British and French control in the late 19th century
  • Independence: Most countries gained independence in the 1960s
  • Modern Era: Regional integration through ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States)

Economy

West Africa's economy is driven by:

  • Oil & Gas: Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer
  • Agriculture: Cocoa (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana), cashews, cotton, palm oil
  • Mining: Gold (Ghana, Mali), diamonds (Sierra Leone), bauxite (Guinea)
  • Services: Banking, telecommunications, and tech hubs (Lagos, Accra)
  • ECOWAS: Regional economic bloc promoting trade and integration

Major Cities

  • Lagos, Nigeria: Africa's largest city (~15 million, metro area 24+ million)
  • Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Economic capital and major port
  • Accra, Ghana: Capital and growing tech hub
  • Dakar, Senegal: Westernmost African capital and cultural center
  • Abuja, Nigeria: Purpose-built capital city
  • Bamako, Mali: Capital on the Niger River

Demographics

West Africa is Africa's most populous region with over 411 million people. Nigeria alone accounts for more than half (218+ million). The region has a young population with high growth rates and rapid urbanization.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

West Africa contains numerous UNESCO sites including:

  • Timbuktu (Mali)
  • Djenne's Great Mosque (Mali)
  • Ashanti Traditional Buildings (Ghana)
  • Island of Gorée (Senegal) - former slave trading post
  • Historic Centre of Porto-Novo (Benin)
  • Sukur Cultural Landscape (Nigeria)

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States)

Founded in 1975, ECOWAS is a regional bloc of 15 West African countries promoting economic integration, peace, and security. Key initiatives include:

  • Free movement of people and goods
  • Common external tariff
  • Plans for a common currency (ECO)
  • Joint peacekeeping operations

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