africa map
Welcome to Quiz questions about Africa map - two sets of tricky quiz questions and answers for those who like geography and reading maps. Here you will find questions that test how well you can connect countries, regions, islands, seas, mountains and rivers with their locations. You don't need to be an expert, but you will benefit from recognising shapes, neighbouring countries and important geographical details. Both quizzes are suitable for casual players who want to play a free online quiz on their own or challenge a friend. The questions are medium to difficult and mix known facts with more quirky tasks that require you to think a step further. Perfect for practising map skills, improving your orientation in Africa and getting quick feedback with clear answers.
More than just a map - a story about borders
The map of Africa is unique and tells a complex story. Many of the straight, almost ruler-drawn borders we see today are a legacy of the colonial era, when European powers divided the continent without regard to the ethnic groups, cultures and traditional kingdoms that already existed. These arbitrary borders have often led to conflict and political instability. Studying the map of Africa is therefore not only a geographical exercise, but also an important lesson in history and the post-colonial challenges the continent has faced.
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Round 1
According to a map of Africa, which country has both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts?
Answer: Morocco
The country is located in the far north-west and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Its location makes it a natural gateway between Europe and North Africa.
What country surrounds the small coastal country of Gambia on almost all sides?
Answer: Senegal
The Gambia lies as a narrow corridor along a river and is almost completely enclosed by a single neighbouring country. Only a short stretch reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
Which archipelago off north-west Africa belongs to Spain and is located in the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: Canary Islands
The archipelago is located west of North Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and is an autonomous part of Spain. It is known for its volcanic origin and is close to the coast of Africa.
Which major river flows through the Juba and Shabelle area towards the Indian Ocean?
Answer: Jubba
The river flows from the Ethiopian highlands through southern Somalia towards the Indian Ocean. It is important for irrigation and settlement in an otherwise arid area.
Which country is completely surrounded by South Africa on a map?
Answer: Lesotho
The country is an enclave and lies entirely within a larger neighbouring country. It is largely made up of highlands, which affects climate and agriculture.
Which lake is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania?
Answer: Lake Victoria
It is located in East Africa and borders three countries. The lake is a key resource for fishing, transport and water supply in the region.
Which country is located in the Horn of Africa and has a coastline on the Gulf of Aden?
Answer: Djibouti
The country is located at the entrance to the Red Sea and has a strategic coastline on the Gulf of Aden. Its location makes it important for shipping between Europe and Asia.
Which island off the coast of Tanzania is known for its own semi-autonomous status?
Answer: Zanzibar
The archipelago is located in the Indian Ocean off the Tanzanian mainland. It has its own local government and has historically been an important trading centre.
Which country borders both Nigeria and Cameroon and has a small coastline?
Answer: Equatorial Guinea
The country consists of a mainland part and islands and is located on the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Cameroon and is close to Nigeria's coastal region.
Which mountain range forms a north-south spine in north-west Africa?
Answer: Atlas Mountains
Mountains stretch across several countries in the Northwest and influence precipitation and climate. They create a clear border zone between coastal and inland areas.
Which country's capital is the furthest inland yet has an Atlantic coastline?
Answer: Angola
The country has a long Atlantic coastline, but the political centre is relatively far from some border areas. The geography includes both coastal plains and inland highlands.
Which river forms a large part of the border between Namibia and South Africa?
Answer: Orange River
The river flows westwards towards the Atlantic Ocean and acts as a natural border. It is important for irrigation and hydropower in arid areas.
Which country is directly south of Egypt on the map?
Answer: Sudan
The border essentially follows an east-west line in north-east Africa. The area is a transition between the Sahara and more savannah-like regions further south.
Which large island is located east of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean?
Answer: Madagascar
The island is located off the coast of south-east Africa and is separated from the mainland by the Mozambique Channel. It is known for high rates of unique species due to isolation.
Which lake is located on the border between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania?
Answer: Lake Malawi
The lake is narrow and located in the Rift Valley in south-east Africa. It is shared by three countries and is important for fisheries, transport and biodiversity.
Which country has a narrow strip that reaches the Zambezi but has no sea coast?
Answer: Botswana
The country is landlocked but reaches a major river via a narrow northern corridor. It provides access to waterways near border areas despite the absence of a coast.
Which country has both Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts?
Answer: Eritrea
The country is located in north-east Africa, with a coastline on the Red Sea and close to trade routes. The region is geopolitically important due to the passage of shipping.
Which country is located between Ghana and Nigeria along the Gulf of Guinea?
Answer: Togo
The country is narrow and stretches from the coast northwards into the interior. Its location means that it shares borders with several states within the same coastal region.
Which river flows through the Kinshasa area and on to the Atlantic Ocean?
Answer: Congo River
The river is one of the most water-rich in the world and flows through Central Africa. It is a major transport route and is of great importance for energy and ecosystems.
On a map of Africa, which country is furthest south-east and has the Indian Ocean as its coast?
Answer: Mozambique
The country has a long coastline on the Indian Ocean and is located south-east of the continent. The coastline is characterised by islands, bays and important port cities.
Which country is divided in two by a narrow strip of coastline belonging to another country?
Answer: Angola
A separate coastal strip cuts off the north of the country from the rest. This creates an unusual map where part of the country is separated from the main territory.
Which country borders both Algeria and Libya but has no sea coast?
Answer: Niger
The country is located in the Sahara and Sahel and has several large desert areas. Despite the absence of a coastline, it has important transit routes and borders with many states.
Which sea is north of Tunisia?
Answer: Mediterranean Sea
The sea separates North Africa from Southern Europe and is a key maritime route. Its coastline has historically been important for trade, migration and cultural exchange.
Which country has a small coastline on the Atlantic Ocean between Benin and Ghana?
Answer: Togo
The country's coastline is short but strategically located in the Gulf of Guinea. This allows the country to act as a narrow corridor between larger neighbouring countries.
Let's test your maths knowledge
If you've read the article on the front page of Quizfragor, you know the answer.
Round 2
Which country has both a Mediterranean coast and a border with Chad?
Answer: Libya
The country is located in North Africa with a long coastline in the north and extends far south into the Sahara. Therefore, it reaches borders with several landlocked countries.
Which island state is located north-east of Madagascar and consists of several large islands?
Answer: Comoros
The archipelago is located in the Mozambique Channel between mainland Africa and Madagascar. Its location makes it a maritime hub with cultural influences from several directions.
Which country has both an Atlantic coast and a border with Mali?
Answer: Senegal
The country is located in West Africa with Atlantic coastline and borders inland with several states. It serves as a transition between the coastal region and the Sahel.
Which river flows through the towns of Jinja and further west from a large lake?
Answer: Nile
The river has a source in East Africa and continues northwards through several climate zones. It has been vital for agriculture, settlement and transport for thousands of years.
Which country on a map of Africa has a coastline on both the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden?
Answer: Eritrea
The country is located in north-eastern Africa and has a coastline on one of the world's most important shipping routes. This provides strategic proximity to the passage between two major sea areas.
Which landlocked country lies between Angola, Zambia and Tanzania and has lakes in the rift zone?
Answer: Democratic Republic of Congo
The country is very large, stretching across Central Africa with access to several lakes and river systems. It also has a short coastal strip that provides sea access.
Which country borders both Kenya and Sudan and is located in East Africa?
Answer: Uganda
The country is located on the Great Lakes and serves as a hub between several neighbouring countries. Its location means it is influenced by both East African highlands and lowland areas.
Which island is closest to the north-west coast of Africa and belongs to Spain?
Answer: Canary Islands
Located in the Atlantic Ocean off north-west Africa, the islands are politically linked to Europe and sit on a plate with clear volcanic activity in the region.
Which Sahel country has the capital where the Niger River makes a big bend?
Answer: Mali
The river creates a distinct bend through the hinterland, providing fertile areas in an otherwise dry zone. The region has long been important for trade and livestock farming.
Which country has an enclave on the Atlantic Ocean bordering two Congo countries?
Answer: Angola
A separate coastal part is cut off from the main territory and borders two neighbouring states in Central Africa. This makes the country's borders unusual on the map.
Which country is located directly west of Ethiopia and is known for large wetlands?
Answer: South Sudan
The country has extensive wetlands linked to a large river system. The wetlands influence transport, settlement and seasonality across much of the area.
Which lake is located between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda?
Answer: Lake Kivu
The lake is located in the East African Rift Valley and is surrounded by mountainous landscape. The area is geologically active and of great importance to local communities and ecology.
Which country has a long narrow coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and lies between Senegal and Sierra Leone?
Answer: Guinea
The country is located in West Africa and has both coastal and inland mountainous areas. It acts as a link between coastal states and countries further into the Sahel.
Which country has its capital on a lagoon and is located between Togo and Nigeria?
Answer: Benin
The country lies along the Gulf of Guinea with a short coastline and extends northwards towards the Sahel. The coastal zone has lagoons and wetlands that affect settlement and trade.
Which country is located in the Horn of Africa and has a long coastline along the Indian Ocean?
Answer: Somalia
The country has one of the longest coastlines on the continent, stretching along the Indian Ocean. Its location on major sea routes makes the coast geographically central to the region.
Which country is south of Algeria and north of Nigeria?
Answer: Niger
The country is located in a transition zone between the Sahara and more populated savannah areas. It has large distances and several borders that make the map picture complex.
Which mountain peak in East Africa is known for glaciers near the equator?
Answer: Kilimanjaro
The mountain is a free-standing volcano and rises sharply above the surrounding plains. The altitude creates a cold climate at the top despite its location near the equator.
Which country has a coastline on both the Gulf of Guinea and a border with Chad?
Answer: Cameroon
The country stretches from the Atlantic coast into Central Africa, reaching different climate zones. This long stretch means that it borders many countries.
Which river crosses several countries and flows into the Gulf of Guinea via a large delta?
Answer: Niger River
The river is central to West Africa, passing through dry and humid regions before reaching the coast. The delta is an important wetland and energy-rich regional centre.
Which country lies between Namibia and Mozambique and has no sea coast?
Answer: Zambia
The country is located in South Central Africa and borders many states. It has large river systems and waterfalls that affect both energy and transport.
Which country has its capital on a peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and is located on the Gulf of Guinea?
Answer: Senegal
The capital is located on a coastal peninsula, providing natural harbour advantages. Its location makes it a gateway to the Atlantic for several inland corridors.
Which country consists of two main islands and is located off the east coast of Africa near the equator?
Answer: São Tomé and Príncipe
The island state is located in the Gulf of Guinea and consists of two large islands of volcanic origin. It is small in size but has a distinct maritime geography.
Which country is located furthest west on the African mainland on a map of Africa?
Answer: Senegal
The country's westernmost point is on the Atlantic coast and is one of the continent's outer edges. Its position makes it geographically distinct on maps of Africa.
What strait separates Africa from Europe between Morocco and Spain?
Answer: Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait is a narrow water passage linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It is of great importance for global shipping and marks the distance between two continents.
Which country has a Mediterranean coastline and is located east of Algeria?
Answer: Tunisia
It is located in North Africa with a coastline to the north and east. Its position between larger neighbours means it often appears as a distinct bulge on the map.
