African Countries Trivia

Africa is home to 54 countries, thousands of languages, and some of the planet's most dramatic geography — the world's largest hot desert, its longest river, and a waterfall so powerful the spray can be seen from miles away. This quiz covers the continent's capitals, landmarks, and a few facts that surprise people who assume the biggest city is always in charge.

Twelve questions, one continent, a lot of ground to cover.

Capitals That Don't Match the Biggest City

Just like in the United States, several African countries run their governments from a city that isn't their largest or most famous. Nigeria's capital is Abuja, a planned city built specifically for the role, rather than the far larger port city of Lagos. South Africa splits the job across three cities entirely, with Cape Town hosting Parliament while Pretoria handles the executive branch.

Landmarks That Cross Borders

Some of Africa's most famous natural features don't respect national lines. Victoria Falls straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Lake Victoria — the source of the Nile's main tributary — is shared by three different countries. Even Mount Kilimanjaro, often associated with neighboring Kenya, actually stands entirely within Tanzania.

A Continent of Firsts

Ghana holds a particular place in history as the first sub-Saharan African nation to shake off colonial rule, in 1957 — a milestone that helped kick off a wave of independence movements across the continent in the decades that followed.