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West Africa Countries

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West Africa is a dynamic region known for its diverse cultures, rich history, and vibrant traditions. It comprises 16 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Benin

Country Overview:

Benin, located in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 114,763 square kilometers. It is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Benin is famous for its vibrant culture, including traditional Vodun (Voodoo) practices, colorful festivals, and lively music and dance. The country is also known for its historical ties to the Dahomey Kingdom and its unique blend of African and French influences.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 12.1 million
  • Capital City: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (economic)
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: WAT (GMT+1)
  • Country Area Code: +229
  • Top-Level Domain: .bj
  • ISO Country Codes: BJ, BEN

Burkina Faso

Country Overview:

Burkina Faso, situated in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers. It is bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Burkina Faso is famous for its vibrant culture, including traditional music, dance, and festivals such as the FESPACO film festival. The country is also known for its rich history and archaeological sites, including the ancient ruins of Loropéni, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 21.5 million
  • Capital City: Ouagadougou
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +226
  • Top-Level Domain: .bf
  • ISO Country Codes: BF, BFA

Cape Verde

Country Overview:

Cape Verde, an island nation off the coast of West Africa, covers an area of approximately 4,033 square kilometers. It is comprised of ten volcanic islands and eight islets, known for their stunning beaches, rugged landscapes, and vibrant culture. Cape Verde is famous for its music, particularly the genre of morna, and its unique blend of African, Portuguese, and Brazilian influences.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1975 (from Portugal)
  • Population: Approximately 555,000
  • Capital City: Praia
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
  • Time Zone: CVT (GMT-1)
  • Country Area Code: +238
  • Top-Level Domain: .cv
  • ISO Country Codes: CV, CPV

Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)

Country Overview:

Ivory Coast, officially known as the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, covers an area of approximately 322,463 square kilometers in West Africa. It is bordered by Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana. Ivory Coast is famous for its rich cultural diversity, including traditional music, dance, and cuisine. The country is also one of the world’s largest producers of cocoa and is known for its vibrant markets and bustling cities.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 26.4 million
  • Capital City: Yamoussoukro (political), Abidjan (economic)
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +225
  • Top-Level Domain: .ci
  • ISO Country Codes: CI, CIV

The Gambia

Country Overview:

The Gambia, a small West African country, covers an area of approximately 10,689 square kilometers. It is surrounded by Senegal, except for its coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The Gambia is famous for its stunning beaches, wildlife reserves, and riverine landscapes. The country is also known for its cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and festivals such as the Roots Homecoming Festival.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1965 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 2.5 million
  • Capital City: Banjul
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +220
  • Top-Level Domain: .gm
  • ISO Country Codes: GM, GMB

Ghana

Country Overview:

Ghana, located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 238,535 square kilometers. It is bordered by Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Togo. Ghana is famous for its rich history, including the ancient kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. The country is known for its diverse culture, vibrant markets, and hospitable people. Ghana is also one of the world’s largest producers of gold and cocoa.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1957 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 31.1 million
  • Capital City: Accra
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +233
  • Top-Level Domain: .gh
  • ISO Country Codes: GH, GHA

Guinea

Country Overview:

Guinea, situated on the west coast of Africa, covers an area of approximately 245,857 square kilometers. It is bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Guinea is famous for its diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, savannas, and mountains. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional music, and craftsmanship, particularly in the areas of woodcarving and weaving.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1958 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 13.1 million
  • Capital City: Conakry
  • Language: French
  • Currency: Guinean Franc (GNF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +224
  • Top-Level Domain: .gn
  • ISO Country Codes: GN, GIN

Guinea-Bissau

Country Overview:

Guinea-Bissau, located on the west coast of Africa, covers an area of approximately 36,125 square kilometers. It is bordered by Senegal and Guinea. Guinea-Bissau is famous for its pristine beaches, tropical forests, and vibrant cultural traditions. The country is known for its music, dance, and festivals, including the Carnival of Bissau. Despite its natural beauty, Guinea-Bissau faces challenges related to political instability and economic development.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1973 (from Portugal)
  • Population: Approximately 1.9 million
  • Capital City: Bissau
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +245
  • Top-Level Domain: .gw
  • ISO Country Codes: GW, GNB

Liberia

Country Overview:

Liberia, situated on the west coast of Africa, covers an area of approximately 111,369 square kilometers. It is bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. Liberia is famous for being Africa’s first republic founded by freed American slaves. The country is known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and diverse wildlife. Liberia is also recognized for its unique culture, including traditional music, dance, and cuisine.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1847 (from the United States)
  • Population: Approximately 5.1 million
  • Capital City: Monrovia
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Liberian Dollar (LRD)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +231
  • Top-Level Domain: .lr
  • ISO Country Codes: LR, LBR

Mali

Country Overview:

Mali, located in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 1,240,192 square kilometers. It is bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. Mali is famous for its rich history, including the ancient Mali Empire, known for its wealth and scholarship. The country is known for its diverse cultures, including the Tuareg and Dogon ethnic groups, and its vibrant music scene, particularly the traditional music genre of griot.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 20.3 million
  • Capital City: Bamako
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +223
  • Top-Level Domain: .ml
  • ISO Country Codes: ML, MLI

Mauritania

Country Overview:

Mauritania, situated in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 1,030,700 square kilometers. It is bordered by Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, Senegal, and the Atlantic Ocean. Mauritania is famous for its vast desert landscapes, including the Sahara Desert, and its rich cultural heritage. The country is known for its nomadic tribes, traditional music, and unique architectural style, particularly the adobe mosques of Chinguetti and Ouadane.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 4.6 million
  • Capital City: Nouakchott
  • Language: Arabic (official), French
  • Currency: Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +222
  • Top-Level Domain: .mr
  • ISO Country Codes: MR, MRT

Niger

Country Overview:

Niger, located in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 1,267,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Niger is famous for its stunning desert landscapes, including the Sahara Desert, and its diverse wildlife, including the endangered West African giraffe and the elusive desert elephant. The country is known for its traditional nomadic culture, vibrant markets, and colorful festivals.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 24.8 million
  • Capital City: Niamey
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: WAT (GMT+1)
  • Country Area Code: +227
  • Top-Level Domain: .ne
  • ISO Country Codes: NE, NER

Nigeria

Country Overview:

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, covers an area of approximately 923,768 square kilometers in West Africa. It is bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Nigeria is famous for its diverse cultures, vibrant cities, and natural landmarks, including the Niger River, Zuma Rock, and Yankari National Park. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and cuisine, as well as its contributions to literature, film, and fashion.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 206 million
  • Capital City: Abuja
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN)
  • Time Zone: WAT (GMT+1)
  • Country Area Code: +234
  • Top-Level Domain: .ng
  • ISO Country Codes: NG, NGA

Senegal

Country Overview:

Senegal, located on the west coast of Africa, covers an area of approximately 196,722 square kilometers. It is bordered by Mauritania, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. Senegal is famous for its vibrant culture, including traditional music, dance, and art, as well as its historical significance as a center of West African trade and Islamic scholarship. The country is known for its bustling markets, colorful festivals, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Goree Island and the historic city of Saint-Louis.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 16.7 million
  • Capital City: Dakar
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +221
  • Top-Level Domain: .sn
  • ISO Country Codes: SN, SEN

Sierra Leone

Country Overview:

Sierra Leone, situated on the west coast of Africa, covers an area of approximately 71,740 square kilometers. It is bordered by Guinea and Liberia. Sierra Leone is famous for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture. The country is known for its traditional music, dance, and storytelling traditions, as well as its historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade and the struggle for independence.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1961 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 8.1 million
  • Capital City: Freetown
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +232
  • Top-Level Domain: .sl
  • ISO Country Codes: SL, SLE

Togo

Country Overview:

Togo, located in West Africa, covers an area of approximately 56,785 square kilometers. It is bordered by Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Benin. Togo is famous for its diverse landscapes, including sandy beaches along the Gulf of Guinea, lush forests, and rolling hills. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and festivals, as well as its bustling markets and vibrant street life.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 8.3 million
  • Capital City: Lomé
  • Language: French
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
  • Time Zone: GMT (GMT)
  • Country Area Code: +228
  • Top-Level Domain: .tg
  • ISO Country Codes: TG, TGO