When we count how many countries a continent contains, we’re looking at sovereign states that are generally recognized as independent nations. Africa has 54 recognized sovereign nations, more than any other continent. This large number comes from a history of many African territories gaining independence in the 20th century and becoming separate political states. In comparison, Asia has about 49 recognized countries, Europe around 44, and the Americas are smaller in total, with roughly 12 in South America and about 23 in North America. Keep in mind that some lists count dependent territories differently, but the standard tally used in geography and by the United Nations places Africa at the top.