Top 5 Biggest Countries: Global Giants
The size of a country and its population play crucial roles in shaping its identity, influence, and overall presence on the world stage. A nation’s landmass determines its natural resources, geographical features, and borders, while its population reflects its cultural diversity, workforce, and economic potential. Understanding the significance of a country’s size and population in a global context offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of international relations, economic development, and cultural exchanges.
In the following sections, we will explore the largest countries in terms of both land area and population, shedding light on the unique aspects and challenges these colossal nations to face. By examining these global giants, we can better appreciate the intricacies of our interconnected world and the myriad factors that contribute to a country’s prominence and power.
The 5 Most Largest Countries by Land Area
Let’s now uncover the top 5 biggest countries regarding the land area, delving into their geography, key statistics, and notable landmarks.
Russia – 6,601,668 square miles
Russia is the largest country on Earth, nearly twice the size of its nearest competitor. Russia spans 11 time zones and stretches across two continents (Asia and Europe), covering one-tenth of the Earth’s landmass. The nation’s land border extends over 13,670 miles, sharing boundaries with 14 neighboring countries.
Owing to its immense size, Russia possesses one of the largest reserves of resources, such as oil and gas. Historically, the country’s vast territory and abundant resources have often led it to pursue a more independent and isolated policy, resulting in wars and other upheavals. This notion is encapsulated in the well-known adage, “Russia has only two allies – its army and navy.”
Russia is renowned for various aspects, including vodka, harsh winters, Tetris, and literary genius Lev Tolstoy. One of its iconic landmarks is St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow.
Regarding geography, Russia boasts the world’s deepest lake (Lake Baikal) and houses one-fifth of the global tree population. The Siberian city of Yakutsk is the coldest city on Earth, with a record low temperature of -83.9°F!
Canada – 3,854,083 square miles
Canada, the second-largest country in the world by total area, is so vast that the UK could fit within its borders more than 40 times. It is the largest country in the Americas and holds the record for the most lakes, boasting 2 million of them, constituting about 9% of the nation’s territory. Some of the most famous bodies of water include the Great Lakes.
Famous for ice hockey, maple syrup, and the northern lights, Canada also has an array of natural landmarks, such as the mighty Niagara Falls (North America’s most powerful waterfall) and the picturesque Banff National Park, with its striking turquoise lakes.
Canada shares its only land border with the United States, creating the world’s longest international boundary. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans surround it. It has maritime borders with Greenland and France (via the French overseas community of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, 12 miles south of Newfoundland). As a bilingual nation, Canada uses English and French, and its administrative divisions consist of 3 territories and ten provinces.
United States – 3,796,742 square miles
The United States of America ranks as the third-largest country in the world by total area, encompassing 3.8 million square miles of diverse landscapes and vast natural beauty. This provides ample opportunities for camping, hiking, and memorable road trips.
As a nation, the U.S. is known for baseball, billionaires, fast food, guns, and Hollywood. It boasts the world’s largest economy and iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon. The United States shares land borders with Canada and Mexico and a maritime border with Russia. Washed by the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans, the U.S. also possesses several island territories under its jurisdiction.
The United States comprises 50 states, one federal district, and dependent territories. Often referred to as a “country of immigrants,” the U.S. exhibits excellent linguistic diversity, with American English and South American Spanish being the most widely spoken languages. As a global economic and military leader, the country holds the top position in terms of GDP and military spending.
China – 3,746,887 square miles
China ranks as the fourth-largest country in the world by total area, similar in size to the United States. Despite its vast territory, the nation operates within a single time zone. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, China holds the title of the most populous country globally, and its landmarks include the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. Nature enthusiasts can marvel at the karst formations in Guilin or the striking ‘Avatar’ mountains in Zhangjiajie.
Famous for its food, tea, culture, cities, and wildlife (particularly pandas), China currently boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world. Situated in East Asia, the country shares borders with 14 states and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Administratively, China is divided into 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, two special administrative regions, and four municipalities.
The Chinese people are known for their hardworking and disciplined nature, contributing to their rapidly expanding role in the global economy and geopolitics. Attracting a high number of visitors annually, China offers tourists an impressive array of natural wonders, a rich history spanning over 5,000 years, and a unique blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology. China is renowned for its miraculous traditional medicine and globally celebrated cuisine, so it continues to attract the world’s attention.
Brazil – 3,287,956 square miles
Brazil, the fifth-largest country by total area, dominates nearly half of South America and boasts an extensive coastline exceeding 4,660 miles. Portuguese is the official language, though South American Spanish is common due to immigration from neighboring countries.
Famous for soccer, beaches, coffee, and the Amazon rainforest, Brazil is recognized as one of the 17 megadiverse countries globally, with a unique array of plants and animals. Iconic landmarks include Iguazu Falls, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janeiro. The country is home to 21 UNESCO-listed sites and the Amazon River, the world’s largest river.
Brazil’s vibrant culture, exemplified by the world-renowned Rio de Janeiro Carnival, and its incredible natural landscapes attract millions of tourists annually. The country’s remote location adds to its allure, making it a dream destination for many. With an impressive number of airports, second only to the United States, Brazil is well-equipped to welcome visitors eager to experience its captivating beauty and rich heritage.
The 5 Most Populous Nations in the World
Discover the top five most populous nations that billions call home. These diverse and dynamic countries significantly impact global culture, economy, and politics.
China – 1.44 billion
China is the most populous nation on Earth, with approximately 1.44 billion inhabitants. The Chinese government has encouraged families to have fewer children to address overpopulation. However, projections show that by 2050, China’s population may decrease to 1.4 billion, making it the second most populous country after India.
India – 1.38 billion
India is currently the second most populous country in the world, with approximately 1.38 billion people. However, it is predicted to surpass China’s 1.44 billion population by the middle of the decade, reaching an estimated 1.64 billion by 2050, making it the world’s most populous nation.
United States – 331 million
The United States is the third most populous country globally, with a population of 331 million. By 2050, the population is projected to increase to 380 million. Notable cities within the U.S. include New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Indonesia – 273 million
Indonesia, home to 273 million inhabitants, is the fourth largest country in terms of population. Forecasts predict a surge to 330 million residents by 2050. Notable urban centers within Indonesia encompass Jakarta and Surabaya, which serve as vital hubs for the nation’s cultural and economic activities.
Pakistan – 220 million
Pakistan, boasting a population of 220 million, ranks as the fifth most populous nation globally. Projections estimate a significant increase to 338 million residents by 2050. Key urban centers within Pakistan, such as Karachi and Lahore, play a critical role in the country’s cultural and economic development.
List of all countries and dependencies by area
| Country | Size/ Square Miles | Date |
| Russia | 6.6 million | 2013 |
| Canada | 3.8 million | 2013 |
| United States | 3.8 million | 2013 |
| China | 3.7 million | 2013 |
| Brazil | 3.3 million | 2013 |
| Australia | 2.9 million | 2013 |
| India | 1.24 million | 2013 |
| Argentina | 1.1 million | 2013 |
| Kazakhstan | 1,000,000 | 2013 |
| Algeria | 919,595 | 2013 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 905,354 | 2013 |
| Saudi Arabia | 864,869 | 2013 |
| Mexico | 758,449 | 2013 |
| Indonesia | 742,308 | 2013 |
| Sudan | 728,215 | 2013 |
| Libya | 685,524 | 2013 |
| Iran | 636,313 | 2013 |
| Mongolia | 603,909 | 2013 |
| Peru | 496,225 | 2013 |
| Chad | 495,800 | 2013 |
| Niger | 489,000 | 2013 |
| Mali | 482,077 | 2013 |
| Angola | 481,354 | 2013 |
| South Africa | 470,693 | 2013 |
| Colombia | 440,831 | 2013 |
| Ethiopia | 437,794 | 2013 |
| Bolivia | 424,164 | 2013 |
| Mauritania | 398,000 | 2013 |
| Egypt | 386,874 | 2013 |
| Tanzania | 364,900 | 2013 |
| Nigeria | 356,669 | 2013 |
| Venezuela | 340,561 | 2013 |
| Pakistan | 339,697 | 2013 |
| Namibia | 318,261 | 2013 |
| Mozambique | 313,661 | 2013 |
| Turkey | 300,948 | 2013 |
| Chile | 291,930 | 2013 |
| Zambia | 290,586 | 2013 |
| Morocco | 274,461 | 2013 |
| Burma | 261,218 | 2013 |
| Afghanistan | 251,773 | 2013 |
| Somalia | 246,201 | 2013 |
| South Sudan | 239,285 | 2011 |
| Ukraine | 233,090 | 2013 |
| Madagascar | 226,658 | 2013 |
| Kenya | 224,961 | 2013 |
| Botswana | 224,607 | 2013 |
| France | 210,026 | 2013 |
| Yemen | 207,286 | 2013 |
| Thailand | 198,115 | 2013 |
| Spain | 195,363 | 2013 |
| Turkmenistan | 188,456 | 2013 |
| Cameroon | 183,568 | 2013 |
| Papua New Guinea | 178,704 | 2013 |
| Sweden | 173,732 | 2013 |
| Uzbekistan | 172,700 | 2013 |
| Iraq | 169,235 | 2013 |
| Paraguay | 157,048 | 2013 |
| Zimbabwe | 150,873 | 2013 |
| Romania | 148,129 | 2013 |
| Japan | 145,894 | 2013 |
| Germany | 137,849 | 2013 |
| Finland | 130,559 | 2013 |
| Malaysia | 127,355 | 2013 |
| Vietnam | 127,123 | 2013 |
| Norway | 125,004 | 2013 |
| Cote d’Ivoire | 124,503 | 2013 |
| Poland | 120,728 | 2013 |
| Oman | 119,500 | 2013 |
| Italy | 116,346 | 2012 |
| Philippines | 115,831 | 2013 |
| Burkina Faso | 105,870 | 2013 |
| Ecuador | 105,037 | 2013 |
| New Zealand | 104,454 | 2013 |
| Gabon | 103,347 | 2013 |
| Guinea | 94,926 | 2013 |
| United Kingdom | 93,638 | 2013 |
| Uganda | 93,072 | 2013 |
| Ghana | 92,098 | 2013 |
| Laos | 91,400 | 2013 |
| Guyana | 83,000 | 2013 |
| Belarus | 80,153 | 2013 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 77,182 | 2013 |
| Senegal | 75,955 | 2013 |
| Syria | 71,498 | 2013 |
| Cambodia | 69,898 | 2013 |
| Uruguay | 68,037 | 2013 |
| Tunisia | 63,378 | 2013 |
| Suriname | 63,037 | 2013 |
| Bangladesh | 55,598 | 2013 |
| Tajikistan | 55,251 | 2013 |
| Greece | 50,949 | 2013 |
| North Korea | 47,399 | 2013 |
| Nicaragua | 46,430 | 2013 |
| Malawi | 45,747 | 2013 |
| Eritrea | 45,300 | 2012 |
| Benin | 43,484 | 2013 |
| Honduras | 43,433 | 2013 |
| Bulgaria | 42,855 | 2013 |
| Cuba | 42,803 | 2013 |
| Iceland | 39,769 | 2013 |
| South Korea | 38,345 | 2013 |
| Liberia | 38,250 | 2013 |
| Hungary | 35,919 | 2013 |
| Portugal | 35,655 | 2013 |
| Jordan | 34,492 | 2013 |
| Serbia | 34,116 | 2013 |
| Azerbaijan | 33,400 | 2013 |
| Austria | 32,383 | 2013 |
| Czech Republic | 30,450 | 2013 |
| United Arab Emirates | 30,000 | 2013 |
| Panama | 29,157 | 2013 |
| Sierra Leone | 27,699 | 2013 |
| Ireland | 27,097 | 2013 |
| Georgia | 26,911 | 2013 |
| Sri Lanka | 25,332 | 2013 |
| Lithuania | 25,212 | 2013 |
| Latvia | 24,938 | 2014 |
| Togo | 21,925 | 2013 |
| Croatia | 21,851 | 2013 |
| Costa Rica | 19,730 | 2013 |
| Slovakia | 18,932 | 2013 |
| Estonia | 17,462 | 2013 |
| Denmark | 16,640 | 2013 |
| Netherlands | 16,164 | 2013 |
| Switzerland | 15,940 | 2013 |
| Bhutan | 14,812 | 2013 |
| Taiwan | 13,972 | 2013 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 13,948 | 2013 |
| Moldova | 13,050 | 2013 |
| Belgium | 11,787 | 2013 |
| Lesotho | 11,720 | 2013 |
| Armenia | 11,484 | 2013 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 10,830 | 2013 |
| Burundi | 10,740 | 2013 |
| Haiti | 10,714 | 2013 |
| Solomon Islands | 10,639 | 2013 |
| Rwanda | 10,169 | 2013 |
| Republic of Macedonia | 9,928 | 2013 |
| Djibouti | 8,950 | 2013 |
| Belize | 8,867 | 2013 |
| Israel | 8,522 | 2013 |
| El Salvador | 8,124 | 2013 |
| Slovenia | 7,827 | 2013 |
| New Caledonia | 7,172 | 2013 |
| Fiji | 7,095 | 2013 |
| Kuwait | 6,880 | 2013 |
| Swaziland | 6,704 | 2013 |
| East Timor | 5,641 | 2013 |
| The Bahamas | 5,382 | 2013 |
| Montenegro | 5,333 | 2013 |
| Vanuatu | 4,707 | 2012 |
| Qatar | 4,416 | 2013 |
| Gambia | 4,361 | 2013 |
| Jamaica | 4,243 | 2013 |
| Lebanon | 4,036 | 2013 |
| Cyprus | 3,572 | 2012 |
| Puerto Rico | 3,459 | 2013 |
| Brunei | 2,226 | 2013 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 1,980 | 2013 |
| French Polynesia | 1,609 | 2013 |
| Cape Verde | 1,557 | 2013 |
| Samoa | 1,093 | 2013 |
| Luxembourg | 999 | 2013 |
| Mauritius | 788 | 2013 |
| Comoros | 719 | 2013 |
| Hong Kong | 424 | 2013 |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 386 | 2013 |
| Kiribati | 313 | 2013 |
| Dominica | 290 | 2013 |
| Tonga | 289 | 2013 |
| Bahrain | 277 | 2013 |
| Federated States of Micronesia | 270 | 2013 |
| Singapore | 255 | 2013 |
| Guam | 209 | 2013 |
| Palau | 196 | 2013 |
| Seychelles | 176 | 2013 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 170 | 2013 |
| Barbados | 166 | 2013 |
| Grenada | 133 | 2013 |
| Malta | 122 | 2013 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 104 | 2013 |
| Niue | 100 | 2013 |
| Cook Islands | 91 | 2013 |
| Marshall Islands | 70 | 2013 |
| Liechtenstein | 61.8 | 2013 |
| San Marino | 23.6 | 2013 |
| Tuvalu | 10 | 2013 |
| Macau | 9 | 2013 |
| Nauru | 8 | 2013 |
| Tokelau | 4.7 | 2013 |
| Monaco | 0.75 | 2013 |
Frequently Asked Questions about the World’s Largest Countries
Which country is the largest in the world by land area?
Russia is the largest country in the world by land area, covering 17,098,242 square miles.
What are the top five largest countries by land area?
Russia, Canada, the United States, China, and Brazil are the top five largest countries by land area.
Which country has the largest population in the world?
Currently, China boasts the largest population in the world, with approximately 1.44 billion people. However, India, with a population of 1.38 billion, is predicted to surpass China as the most populous nation soon.
How do the landscapes and climates vary among the largest countries?
The landscapes and climates among the largest countries vary significantly, from the icy tundras and dense forests of Russia to the tropical rainforests and vast beaches of Brazil. These countries also feature mountain ranges, deserts, and various coastal regions, showcasing the planet’s incredible geographical diversity.
What languages are spoken in the largest countries?
The official languages spoken in the largest countries are Russian (Russia), English and French (Canada), English (United States), Chinese (China), and Portuguese (Brazil). However, these countries also have a rich linguistic diversity due to their multiethnic populations and regional dialects.
What is the world’s largest island?
Greenland is the world’s largest island, although it remains a territory of Denmark and is not an independent nation. New Guinea, divided between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, ranks as the second-largest island, while Borneo, shared by Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, comes in third.
Which island is the most densely populated?
Java, located in Indonesia, is the most densely populated island in the world, with a population of around 148 million as of 2021.
Which continent is the largest in terms of size and population?
Asia reigns as the largest continent in both size and population. With an estimated population of over 4.7 billion people as of 2023, Asia spans a vast land area of more than 31 million square kilometers (almost 12 million square miles).
What Did We Learn Today?
Today, we explored the top 5 biggest countries regarding land area, delving into their geography, key statistics, and significant landmarks. We discovered that Russia is the largest country, followed by Canada, China, the United States, and Brazil. Each of these countries has unique geographical features, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural heritages that contribute to their global significance.
Sources:
- CIA World Factbook – https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
- United Nations Statistics Division – https://unstats.un.org/
- World Bank – https://www.worldbank.org/
- National Geographic – https://www.nationalgeographic.com/