map of africa

A clear printable map of Africa (with countries and major features labeled) is best accessed directly from a dedicated atlas or mapping site online, where you can zoom and download high‑resolution images.

Quick Scoop

Here’s a fast orientation so you know what you’re looking at when you open a “map of Africa” online.

• Africa has 54 recognized countries spread across five broad regions: North, West, Central, East, and Southern Africa.

• It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Indian Ocean and Red Sea to the east.

• Major physical features you’ll see on a good map include the Sahara Desert in the north, the Congo Basin in Central Africa, and the Great Rift Valley with lakes like Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi in the east.

What kind of “map of Africa” do you want?

You’ll find several common types:

1. Political maps – show country borders, capitals, and big cities, useful for learning countries and doing quizzes.
2. Physical maps – highlight deserts, mountains, rivers, lakes, and elevation (e.g., Atlas Mountains, Ethiopian Highlands, Nile).
3. Thematic/custom maps – you can color or label countries yourself for projects, study, or presentations.

How to use online maps of Africa

When you open an online Africa map:

• Zoom in to see small countries (like Gambia, Djibouti, or Eswatini) and island states (Cabo Verde, Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros).

• Toggle between political and physical views if the site offers both, so you see how borders align with deserts, rivers, and mountains.

• For study, try blank or outline maps and test yourself by filling in country names and capitals.

TL;DR:
To get a useful “map of Africa,” choose a political map (for countries and capitals), a physical map (for deserts, rivers, and mountains), or a customizable interactive map you can color and label for study and projects.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.