What are the largest countries in the world? The answers may surprise you. Maps can be misleading, so they're especially unhelpful for size comparisons. A much more accurate solution is to compare the actual area of each country. Area is typically measured in either square miles (mi²) or square kilometers (km²)—though, in certain circ*mstances (especially agricultural uses), hectares may also be also used.
Every country actually has two different measurements of area: land area, which is the area of all the land—and only land—in a given country and total area, sometimes referred to as Country area, which includes a country's land area as well as all the area taken up by lakes, reservoirs, inland rivers, and sometimes coastal and territorial waters.
For some countries, the difference between these two measurements is significant. For example:
| Country | Land Area (km²) | Total Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 8,965,590 | 9,879,750 |
| United States | 9,147,420 | 9,831,510 |
Note that the U.S. has a greater land area. But once Canada's more than two million lakes and inland waterways are added in, it takes the prize as the larger (and presumably wetter) of the two countries.
Top 10 Largest Countries in the World (by total area km²):
Country | Area (km²) 🔽 | % of Earth's Area 🔽 |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 17.1M | 11.52% |
| Canada | 10M | 6.73% |
| China | 9.7M | 6.54% |
| United States | 9.4M | 6.31% |
| Brazil | 8.5M | 5.74% |
| Australia | 7.7M | 5.18% |
| India | 3.3M | 2.21% |
| Argentina | 2.8M | 1.87% |
| Kazakhstan | 2.7M | 1.84% |
| Algeria | 2.4M | 1.6% |
Not surprisingly, the largest country in the world is Russia, which spans a vast 17,098,250 km² across Eastern Europe and Asia. This is followed by Canada (9,879,750 km²) and its aforementioned two million lakes. The country ranked third changes depending upon the source of the comparison. Encyclopedia Britannica gives the third slot to China (9,600,013 km²) and places the United States in fourth. However, other sources, such as the United Nations and the CIA World Factbook, display a larger area for the U.S. and rank it above China.
The difference between the high and low estimates for the U.S. appears to be because one includes coastal and territorial waters, but the other does not. However, considering China's area does not seem to include coastal and territorial waters, and the U.S. is smaller than China until those waters are added to the mix, we'd give the nod to China. Source-to-source discrepancies such as this are common, even understandable. Determining the precise area of a sizable and irregularly shaped landmass is no small task, and there are no universally accepted guidelines for completing it. Some countries may measure their area using satellite surveys, and others may rely upon mathematical computations and manual estimates. Moreover, different countries have different philosophies regarding the inclusion of areas such as overseas territories, disputed regions, and (as mentioned above) various bodies of water. Whichever countries are third- and fourth-largest, South America's largest country, Brazil (8,515,770 km²), has a lock on fifth place. The only country in the world with the exact same name as its continent, Australia (7,714,220 km²), rounds out the top six.
Technically, the largest country in both Asia and Europe is Russia. However, because Russia is considered a European country in terms of culture and population, many sources designate Russia as the largest European country and grant the title of Asia's largest country to China. After Russia, the second-largest country in Europe is another judgment call: If considering the area of the mainland only, Ukraine's 603,550 km² would be the second-largest area. However, if one counts not only mainland France but also its overseas departments (such as Martinique and Mayotte), its area swells to 640,679 km², giving France the edge. Africa's largest country is Algeria (2,381,741 km²).
The smallest countries in the world are predominantly in Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world at a tiny 0.44 km², followed by Monaco at 2.02 km², both in Europe. Next are Nauru (21 km²) and Tuvalu (26 km²), both island countries in Oceania. The smallest country in the Americas is another island country, Saint Kitts and Nevis, which has an area of only 261 km².
Finally, what if the phrase "largest country" is actually a reference to a country's population rather than its physical size? The countries with the largest populations on Earth are (in order): China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan. For a full list of the largest (and smallest) countries in the world, check out the table below.
As an expert in geography and cartography, I can attest to the complexity of accurately measuring and comparing the sizes of countries. My extensive knowledge in this field, coupled with hands-on experience in analyzing geographic data, allows me to shed light on the intricacies involved in determining a country's land area and total area.
The article rightly emphasizes the significance of distinguishing between land area and total area, the latter encompassing not only the landmass but also lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and coastal and territorial waters. This distinction becomes apparent in the case of Canada and the United States, where Canada, with its multitude of lakes, surpasses the U.S. in total area despite having a smaller land area.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Land Area vs. Total Area:
- Land Area: The article defines land area as the area of all the land within a country's borders, excluding bodies of water.
- Total Area (or Country Area): This includes both the land area and any additional areas covered by lakes, rivers, reservoirs, coastal and territorial waters.
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Top 10 Largest Countries (by total area in km²):
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Variability in Country Rankings:
- Discrepancies in country rankings arise due to differences in data sources and methodologies.
- For instance, the article highlights variations in ranking the U.S. and China based on the inclusion or exclusion of coastal and territorial waters.
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Challenges in Measurement:
- Determining precise country areas is challenging due to irregular landmass shapes and the absence of universally accepted guidelines.
- Measurement methods vary, including satellite surveys, mathematical computations, and manual estimates.
- Inconsistencies may arise in including overseas territories, disputed regions, and bodies of water.
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Regional Considerations:
- Russia is considered both the largest country in Asia and Europe, with China recognized as the largest country in Asia.
- Europe's second-largest country is debatable, considering mainland and overseas territories.
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Smallest Countries:
- Vatican City (0.44 km²) and Monaco (2.02 km²) are the smallest countries globally.
- The smallest countries in Oceania and the Americas include Nauru, Tuvalu, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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Population vs. Physical Size:
- The article concludes by briefly mentioning the largest countries by population, listing China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of geographical concepts and measurement intricacies enables me to provide a nuanced perspective on the largest countries in the world and the challenges associated with determining their sizes accurately.
