There are 11 countries that start with the letter A, Australia, Austria, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia and Andorra. The most populous country that starts with A is Algeria, while the smallest is Andorra. Here is some more information about each of these countries.
While all the countries on the list start with A, they can be very different from one another. Afghanistan and Armenia are landlocked while Australia and Antigua and Barbuda are island nations with plenty of coastline. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is considered a "transcontinental" country because it is the continents of both Europe and Asia.
| Rank | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Australia |
| 2 | Austria |
| 3 | Afghanistan |
| 4 | Azerbaijan |
| 5 | Algeria |
| 6 | Albania |
| 7 | Angola |
| 8 | Antigua and Barbuda |
| 9 | Argentina |
| 10 | Armenia |
| 11 | Andorra |
1. Australia
Australia is a country located in the southern hemisphere, surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the largest country in the continent of Oceania and one of the largest countries in the world. The vast majority of Australians live in costal cities including, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. However, Canberra, the Capital, is inland.
Australia was first inhabited by aboriginal people roughly 50,000 years ago. It is an island country and some of its closest neighbors include, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, Caledonia and Timor-Leste.
Australia is a developed country and one of the 15 wealthiest in the world. It has a high-income economy, with one of the worlds highest per capita incomes. Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom and the protection of civil liberties and human rights.
The Great Barrier Reef, located in the northeast, is the world's largest coral reef system and one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. It contains hundreds of islands and thousands of individual reefs.
The Daintree Rainforest is located adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef and is is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. It contains many unique animals such as the Cassowary and musky rat kangaroo.
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone monolith in the southern part of the Northern Territory. It is one of Australia's most recognisable natural landmarks and sits in the middle of its "Red Centre".
Kangaroo Island is located off the coast of South Australia. It is the country's third largest island and home to a diverse range of wildlife including koalas, seals, penguins and echidnas.
The Tasmanian devil is a small marsupial that is found only in Tasmania that was popularised by the Warner Brothers cartoon, Loony Tunes. The animal is known for its black fur and aggressive nature.
2. Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of approximately 8 million people. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
The capital and largest city, with a population exceeding 1.8 million, is Vienna. It is home to a number of architectural masterpieces including the Schönbrunn Palace, an imperial hunting lodge that became a summer residence during Maria Theresa's reign.
Austria has a rich culture that is evident in its art, music, food, and architecture. The country has a long history dating back to the 8th century AD. It played an important role in European history as both a cultural and political center
The Danube River has its source in Germany and flows through the Austria and much of South East Europe before emptying into the Black Sea. It provides Austria with an important transport method and water supply.
The Austrian Alps are a popular tourist destination and offer opportunities for skiing, hiking and mountaineering. Innsbruck, the largest city in the Tyrol region, hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games as well as the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics.
The country also has a number of lakes, such as the Salzkammergut and Neusiedler lakes which are popular for swimming, sailing and windsurfing.
It has a developed economy and high living standards, featuring comprehensive social security. The country has used the euro as its currency since 1999, replacing the former Austrian schilling.
Graz is the second largest city in Austria and the capital of the province of Styria. It has a population of around 300,000 people. The city is located on both sides of the River Mur and has a strong student population as it is home to four universities. The city centre is pedestrianised and there are a number of parks and green spaces. The Schlossberg is a hill in the city which is home to the Graz Clock Tower, a popular tourist attraction. The Glockenturm, located at the top of the tower, chimes every hour.
3. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is located in Central Asia and shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, China, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The population of Afghanistan is around 40 million people, and the country has two official languages, Pashto and Dari. Islam is Afghanistan's official religion and the vast majority of its people are Muslim.
The geography of Afghanistan is varied, with mountains, plains and deserts. The climate also varies, from very hot in the summer to very cold in the winter. Its capital, Kabul, is located in the east of the country and is home to nearly 5 million residents. Kabul sits at an altitude of 1790m making it the 11th highest capital city in the world.
Afghanistan is home to stunning mosques, mountains and ancient citadels. Other relics include The Babur Tomb which houses the remains of the first Mughal emperor.
4. Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a country with a rich culture and history with a population of around 10 million. Azerbaijanis are proud of their heritage, and this is reflected in the country's architecture, art, and cuisine. The people of Azerbaijan are warm and hospitable, and visitors to the country are often struck by the generosity of the locals.
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a modern city with an old city that has a wealth of centuries-old history. To the east of the country is the Caspian Sea and to the north are the Caucasus Mountains. The city is home to a number of important historical and cultural sites such as the Bibi Heybay Mosque and Maiden Tower. Its Olympic stadium hosted the 2019 Europa League final. It also begins with a so it makes the list!
5. Algeria
Algeria is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. The capital and largest city is Algiers, located in the far north of the country on the Mediterranean coast. Algeria has a population of of over 40 million people, the majority of whom live near the coast. The official languages are Arabic and Tamazight. Algeria shares borders with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Morocco.
The Algerian economy is based on oil and gas production, which accounts for a large percentage of the country's GDP. Algeria also has a number of industries, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. The Algerian government is working to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on oil and gas exports.
6. Albania
The Republic Of Albania is a country In Southeastern Europe that shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. Albania has a population of just over 2.5 million people and is a country rich in nature. It has a ~400km coastline in the Mediterranean and inland are the spectacular Accursed Mountains, often referred to as the 'Albanian Alps'.
Tirana, Albania's capital sits on the Ishm river and is full of places to visit, including, Piramida, Skanderberg Square and finishing off the day with a ride on the Dajti Ekspres.
7. Angola
Angola is a country located in central Africa that is home to around 30 million people. Angola is bordered by Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. The capital city of Angola is Luanda and the official language is Portuguese. Angola is a former Portuguese colony that gained independence in 1975.
Angola has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline is where the majority of the population live. It is also where it conducts much of its international trade. Angola is the 7th largest country in Africa but the largest that sits entirely within the southern hemisphere.
Fortaleza de Sao Miguel is a 16th century Portuguese fortress located in the north of the country, it now serves as a military museum.
8. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a country consisting of multiple islands in the Caribbean. The two main islands that make up the country are Antigua and Barbuda (of course!) but there are also many smaller islands surrounding them. The capital city is St. John's, which is located on Antigua.
The country has a population of around 100,000 people, the official language is English and the currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The country is best known for its sandy beaches, clear blue waters and luxury resorts. Tourism is the main industry in Antigua and Barbuda and many people visit the islands every year to enjoy the sunny weather and beautiful scenery.
Antigua was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and he named the island of Antigua after the Virgin of La Antigua Chapel in Seville Cathedral.
The British colonized the island in 1632. The country gained independance from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth and Elizabeth II is the country's queen and head of state.
9. Argentina
Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world based on land area. Argentina is located in the southern part of South America, and it shares borders with Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile and Brazil. The capital city of Argentina is Buenos Aires which is also the largest city in the country. Other important cities in Argentina include Rosario, Córdoba and Mendoza. Around 80% of Argentinians are Christian and over half of those are Roman Catholic.
Argentina is a land of contrasts. The country has some of the tallest mountains in the world, as well as the largest desert. Argentina is also home to a number of different climates, from subtropical in the north to temperate in the south. The highest peak in South America is located within its borders, Mount Aconcagua. It is one of the most sort-after mountaineering challenges in the world.
Patagonia encompasses the south of the country, it is home to one of the most stunning glaciers in South America, the Perito Moreno Glacier.
10. Armenia
Armenia is a landlocked country in the southern Caucasus region of Eurasia. Armenia is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan to the south. The Armenian Highlands are dominated by Mount Ararat, which is visible from the capital, Yerevan, also the largest city in the country.
The modern Republic of Armenia became independent in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
11. Andorra
One of the worlds smallest countries, Andorra is a landlocked Principality situated in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. With a population of just over 70,000 people, it is perhaps best known as a major sport destination, for multiple disciplines including, cycling, skiing and many more. Despite this, there are many other interesting things to see and do in this fascinating country.
The count of Urgell was in charge of Andorra until 988, when it was handed over to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell. Joint sovereignty was established in 1278. France's president and the bishop of Urgell in Spain are the current co-princes.
Andorra's co-princes hold suzerainty over the country, meaning that while Andorra had its own government for internal affairs, its foreign affairs are managed externally.
The official language is Catalan, although French and Spanish are also widely spoken. Andorra's capital city is Andorra la Vella, which is located in the west of the country near the French border. Other notable towns include Encamp in the center, and Sant Julià de Lòria in the south. Sant Julià de Lòria sits at 908m above sea level making it the lowest settlement in Andorra.
It is also worth noting that Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but does use the Euro as its official currency.
Special Mentions
American Samoa, Aruba and Anguilla get and honorable mention as they are not countries but are territories beginning with A.
American Samoa
American Samoa is a group of islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The largest island is Tutuila, which is home to the capital city of Pago Pago. Other islands in American Samoa include Ta‘u, Ofu, Olosega, and Aunu‘u. American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States, and its people are U.S. nationals, though not U.S. citizens.
American Samoa is rich in culture and tradition. The Samoan way of life, known as fa‘a Samoa, revolves around family, religion, and music. Samoan cuisine is also a big part of the culture, and includes dishes such as palusami (taro leaf parcels cooked in coconut cream) and oka (raw fish salad).
Despite its remote location, American Samoa is a popular tourist destination. Visitors come to experience the culture, go hiking and swimming in the beautiful landscape, and to surf at Ofu Beach. American Samoa does start with a but is a territory of the US so doesn't make the list in this case.
Aruba
Aruba is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, located north of Venezuela and west of Curaçao. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao, it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands. Aruba has an arid climate with little rainfall, warm weather and a constant trade wind. The island has a land area of ~180 square kilometers and is densely populated with ~100,000 citizens.
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch took control of the island in 1636 through the West India Company. However, it has a large degree of autonomy and it has its own parliament and government. Additionally, Aruba has its own currency, the Aruban florin. The island is also famous for its white beaches, windsurfing, kitesurfing and deep-sea fishing.
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, sitting east of Puerto Rico with Saint Martin just 15 miles to the south. The island's capital is The Valley and the whole island covers an area of 90 square kilometres. The total population of Anguilla is estimated at ~15,000 people, who live mostly along the coast and in the island's capital of The Valley.
That concludes our complete list of countries that begin with A. Each country has its own unique history, culture, and geography. There are also a wide range of climates represented among the countries that start with A. For example, Algeria is in the Sahara Desert while Austria is known for its alpine mountains. Argentina, meanwhile, has a diverse range of landscapes including glaciers, grasslands and subtropical forests.
We hope you have enjoyed learning a little about each one.
