Borders are usually defined as geographical boundaries, imposed either by natural features such as oceans and terrain or by political entities such as governments, sovereign states, federated states, and other subnational entities.
Borders can be established through warfare, colonization, or mutual agreements between the political entities residing in those areas.
Countries globally have borders for various reasons, including sovereignty and control, security, economic regulation, and legal and administrative clarity.
In Africa, the legacy of colonial-era border demarcations has led to unique challenges, but it also represents opportunities for cooperation and integration.
Below are 10 African countries with the largest shared border coverage:
1.Democratic Republic of the Congo
Total Border Length: 10,481 km
Bordering Countries: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.
2.Mali
Total Border Length: 7,908 km
Bordering Countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal.
3.Sudan
Global Rank: 17th
Total Border Length: 6,819 km
Bordering Countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan.
4.Algeria
Global Rank: 18th
Total Border Length: 6,734 km
Bordering Countries: Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Western Sahara.
5.Chad
Global Rank: 21st
Total Border Length: 6,406 km
Bordering Countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan.
6.Zambia
Global Rank: 22nd
Total Border Length: 6,043 km
Bordering Countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
7.South Sudan
Global Rank: 23rd
Total Border Length: 6,018km
Bordering Countries: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda.
8.Ethiopia
Global Rank: 25th
Total Border Length: 5,925 km
Bordering Countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.
9.Central African Republic
Global Rank: 25th
Total Border Length: 5,920 km
Bordering Countries: Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon
10.Niger
Global Rank: 28th
Total Border Length: 5,834 km
Bordering Countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Nigeria
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