August 14, 2025 | 02:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world is divided into seven continents, each with its own unique geography, ranging from the frozen expanse of Antarctica to the vibrant island nations of Australia and Oceania. Many might assume that Asia, with its vast size and 48 nation-states, holds the record as the continent with the most countries.
However, that title actually belongs to another continent. This ranking proves that land area does not always correlate with the number of political divisions. Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating geography and unique borders that shape our world’s political map here.
List of the Continents with the Most Countries to the Least
For the record, Africa retains its position as the continent with the most countries, standing at 54 nation-states. The rest of the data from multiple sources, like WorldAtlas, can be seen as follows:
1. Africa - 54 countries
With 54 nation-states, Africa is officially the continent with the most countries. Over the course of decades, the verdant landscape of Africa has often been cited as the poorest continent, fueled by undeniable figures of developing nations. Today, it is home to more than 1.5 billion people, with Nigeria claiming the crown of the most populous nation.
2. Asia - 48 countries
As the largest continent by land area, Asia is second with 48 countries. According to the latest data, Asia currently has about 4.6 billion people, with the world’s most populated countries like India and China, as well as Asia’s least populous, Brunei.
Though most of the countries on the Asian continent are considered developing countries, major powerhouses like Japan and China continue to be the driving forces behind the world’s economy.
3. Europe - 44 countries
Often hailed as the most developed continent, Europe is home to some of the world’s largest economies by GDP, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. These countries are also among Europe's most populous countries, whose population ranges from 84 million to 60 million.
At the same time, Europe is a land of striking contrasts: it is home to its most populous country, Russia, as well as the tiniest nation on Earth, Vatican City, which has a population of fewer than 1,000 residents.
4. North America - 23 countries
Home to 23 nations, North America stands at the heart of the global economy, led by the United States, which holds the crown as the world’s largest economic powerhouse. Its neighbor, Canada, is a sparsely populated nation with only 38 million people. On a broader scale, the continent actually houses relatively small countries outside of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
5. Australia/Oceania - 14 countries
Comprising only 14 countries, this continent counts Australia and Papua New Guinea as its largest nation-states. Australia stands out as the most populous among them. In contrast, the tiny island nation of Nauru holds the title of the least populated in the region
6. South America - 12 countries
Though modest in size compared to some other continents, South America is home to Brazil, one of the world’s most populous nations with nearly 214 million residents. Brazil alone accounts for almost half of the continent’s population. Colombia is the second most populous, with around 51 million people.
This global map, from Africa’s 54 nations to the scattered island states of Oceania, is a testament to how history and geography have shaped political borders. The continent with the most countries may surprise some, but it proves that size alone does not define diversity.
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