Largest Countries In The World

In a world of boundless wonder, geography plays an integral part in shaping societies, economies, and even geopolitics. The largest countries in the world provide a stimulating example of geographical diversity and its implications. They have the advantage of vast natural resources, cultural richness, and a plethora of climatic conditions, creating a tangible variance to those who inhabit them.

When viewed from the perspective of total landmass, or "total area," Russia leads with a colossal 17.1 million square kilometers. Next comes Canada, with China slightly trailing behind. Notably, the United States of America ranks fourth globally with a staggering total area of 9.4 million square kilometers, making it one of the expansive countries worldwide.

Some key findings from the data include:

• Russia, with an area of 17.1 million square kilometers, is the world's largest country. Its region spans across Eastern Europe and northern Asia, segueing eleven time zones and a diverse range of environments and landscapes.
• Though significantly smaller than Russia, Canada, China, and the United States are massive in their own rights, with areas of 10.0, 9.7, and 9.4 million square kilometers respectively.
• In contrast, some nations, due to their geographic locations or historical circumstances, are far smaller. Countries like Monaco and the Vatican City have diminutive areas of just 2 and 0.44 square kilometers respectively.
• In terms of continents, Asia houses five of the world's ten largest countries, including Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.
• The data also throws into focus the vast array of smaller countries and territories adding character to our global map, such as tiny island nations in the Pacific like Tuvalu and Nauru or European microstates like San Marino and Liechtenstein.

These findings offer a fascinating perspective on the world's geographic extremes, underscoring the uniting element of human diversity that exists within these large and small borders.

The largest countries in the world, indeed, cover vast territories spanning several climatic zones and habitats, from tundra to desert, and from lush grasslands to bustling urban landscapes. These nations, by virtue of their size, provide a wealth of geographic and cultural diversity that enhance our global community.

Russia, with a staggering total area of 17.1 million square kilometers, tops the list as the world's single largest country. Spanning Eastern Europe and much of northern Asia, Russia's enormous size covers a vast range of time zones and environments.

Taking the second spot is Canada, with an impressive total area of 10 million square kilometers. China, measuring close to 9.7 million square kilometers, ranks third. Next is the United States, with a significant total land and water area of 9.4 million square kilometers.

The fifth-largest country, Brazil, spans 8.5 million square kilometers and covers almost half of South America, hosting a spate of ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands. Australia, the world's sixth-largest nation, occupies a total area of 7.7 million square kilometers. India, the seventh-largest country, covers a total area of 3.3 million square kilometers, with diverse geographical features ranging from the Himalayan peaks to coastal plains and interior plateaus.

Argentina, holding the eighth position, spans a total area of 2.8 million square kilometers. Ninth is Kazakhstan, a little-known country occupying a total area of 2.7 million square kilometers. It features semi-deserts, steppes, and the northernmost parts of the world's largest forest, Siberia. Rounding out the top ten is Algeria, with a total area of 2.4 million square kilometers, the majority of which is the Sahara desert.

10 Largest Countries in the World (By Total Area):

1. Russia - 17.1M Km²
2. Canada - 10.0M Km²
3. China - 9.7M Km²
4. United States - 9.4M Km²
5. Brazil - 8.5M Km²
6. Australia - 7.7M Km²
7. India - 3.3M Km²
8. Argentina - 2.8M Km²
9. Kazakhstan - 2.7M Km²
10. Algeria - 2.4M Km²

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.

Total Area

Year: 2023

Source: Britannica World Data

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Land Area

Year: 2021

Source: Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations