Africa is the continent with the highest number of countries. Africa has a total of 54 countries. Africa is the second most in terms of area. Africa has the biggest desert (Sahara) and it is also called a dark continent because for a long not too much was known about this continent.

Second Continent with the highest number of countries: Asia

Asia is the second continent with the highest number of countries. There is a total of 48 countries on the Asia continent. Asia is the biggest continent in terms of both area and population. 60% of the total world’s population resides in Asia.

Third Continent with the highest number of countries: Europe

Europe is the third continent with a maximum number of countries. The total number of countries in Europe is 46. Europe is the second smallest continent in terms of area. Europe is considered as most urban, highest literacy rate, and wealthiest among all continents.

North America

There is a total of 23 countries in North America. North America has the fourth-highest number of countries. North America comes in the third position in terms of area.

Australia (& Oceania)

Australia/ Oceania combined has 14 countries including Australia. Australia /Oceania is the fifth continent with a maximum number of countries. There are four distinct geopolitical regions in Oceania. These regions are Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The region Australia contains the countries of Australia and New Zealand. Other regions consist of a number of different smaller island countries. Australia/ Oceania is the smallest continent in terms of area.

Some textbooks and other older resources represent Australia as the single country continent (excluding Oceania).

South America

South America has 12 countries. South America is the sixth (second last) continent with a maximum number of countries. In other words, it can also be said that South America has the second least number of countries. South America stands in the fourth position in terms of area.

The continent with the least number of countries: Antarctica

Antarctica is the only continent with no country present. Different countries organize scientific camps and there is no permanent residence of people on this continent. Antarctica is the fifth-largest in terms of area. Its size keeps on changing as per season.