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Global Geometrics

A Cartographic Compendium of Sovereign Areas. Exploring the Earth's Surface: A Data-Driven Perspective on National Territories.

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Understanding Global Areas

Scope of the List

This compendium presents a ranked enumeration of the world's sovereign states and their associated dependent territories based on their total geographical area. The data encompasses recognized nations, observer states, and entities with limited recognition, providing a comprehensive view of territorial extents. Areas are measured in square kilometers (km2) and square miles (mi2).

Measurement Criteria

The list employs three primary metrics for area calculation: Total Area (land and water within boundaries), Land Area (terrestrial surface), and Water Area (inland bodies and coastal waters). These figures are primarily sourced from the United Nations Statistics Division and the Food and Agriculture Organization, with the CIA World Factbook serving as a cross-reference for discrepancies.

Visualizing Extents

While direct image representation is not feasible here, the concept of territorial size can be visualized through projections like the Dymaxion map, which offers an alternative perspective on global landmass distribution. Understanding these areas is fundamental to comprehending geopolitical, economic, and environmental contexts.

Territorial Rankings

Largest Nations by Area

The following table details the top countries and dependencies by total area, providing a comparative overview of their geographical scale.

Country / Dependency Total
in km2 (mi2)		 Land
in km2 (mi2)		 Water
in km2 (mi2)		 %
water
โ€“ ๐ŸŒ Earth 510,072,000 (196,940,000) 148,940,000 (57,506,000) 361,132,000 (139,434,000) 70.8
1 ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ Russia 17,098,246 (6,601,667) 16,376,870 (6,323,142) 721,380 (278,530) 4.2
2 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Canada 9,984,670 (3,855,100) 9,093,507 (3,511,021) 891,163 (344,080) 8.9
3/4 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China 9,596,960 (3,705,410) 9,326,410 (3,600,950) 270,550 (104,460) 2.8
3/4 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States 9,525,067 (3,677,647) 9,147,593 (3,531,904) 377,424 (145,724) 4.0
5 ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Brazil 8,510,346 (3,285,862) 8,460,415 (3,266,583) 55,352 (21,372) 0.6
6 ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia 7,741,220 (2,988,900) 7,682,300 (2,966,200) 58,920 (22,750) 0.8
7 ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India 3,287,263 (1,269,219) 2,973,190 (1,147,960) 314,070 (121,260) 9.6
8 ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท Argentina 2,780,400 (1,073,500) 2,736,690 (1,056,640) 43,710 (16,880) 1.6
9 ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Kazakhstan 2,724,910 (1,052,090) 2,699,700 (1,042,400) 25,202 (9,731) 0.9
10 ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Algeria 2,381,741 (919,595) 2,381,741 (919,595) 0 0
11 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,344,858 (905,354) 2,267,048 (875,312) 77,810 (30,040) 3.3
โ€“ ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Kingdom of Denmark 2,210,573 (853,507) 2,209,913 (853,252) 660 (260) 0.0
โ€“ ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Greenland (Denmark) 2,166,086 (836,330) 2,166,086 (836,330) 0 0
12 ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabia 2,149,690 (830,000) 2,149,690 (830,000) 0 0
13 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ Mexico 1,964,375 (758,449) 1,943,950 (750,563) 20,425 (7,886) 1.0
14 ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia 1,904,569 (735,358) 1,811,569 (699,450) 93,000 (36,000) 4.9
15 ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Sudan 1,861,484 (718,723) 1,731,671 (668,602) 129,813 (50,121) 7.0
16 ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡พ Libya 1,759,540 (679,362) 1,759,540 (679,362) 0 0
17 ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท Iran 1,648,195 (636,371) 1,531,595 (591,352) 116,600 (45,020) 7.1
18 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ณ Mongolia 1,564,116 (603,908) 1,557,507 (601,357) 6,609 (2,552) 0.4
19 ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ช Peru 1,285,216 (496,224) 1,279,996 (494,209) 5,220 (2,020) 0.4
20 ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฉ Chad 1,284,000 (495,800) 1,259,200 (486,180) 24,800 (9,580) 1.9
21 ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ช Niger 1,267,000 (489,200) 1,266,700 (489,080) 300 (100) 0
22 ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ด Angola 1,246,700 (481,350) 1,246,700 (481,350) 0 0
23 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Mali 1,240,192 (478,841) 1,220,190 (471,118) 20,000 (8,000) 1.6
24 ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ South Africa 1,219,090 (470,693) 1,214,470 (468,909) 4,620 (1,780) 0.4
25 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด Colombia 1,138,910 (439,735) 1,038,700 (401,040) 100,210 (38,691) 8.8
26 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡น Ethiopia 1,104,300 (426,370) 1,096,570 (423,388) 7,730 (2,990) 0.7
27 ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ด Bolivia 1,098,581 (424,164) 1,083,300 (418,260) 15,280 (5,900) 1.4
28 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ท Mauritania 1,030,700 (397,960) 1,030,700 (397,960) 0 (0) 0
29 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ Egypt 1,001,450 (386,662) 995,450 (384,350) 6,000 (2,000) 0.6
30 ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ Tanzania 947,303 (365,756) 885,800 (342,000) 61,500 (23,700) 6.5
31 ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria 923,768 (356,669) 910,770 (351,650) 13,000 (5,000) 1.4
32 ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ช Venezuela 912,050 (352,140) 882,050 (340,560) 30,000 (10,000) 3.3
33 ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Pakistan 882,363 (340,682) 857,143 (330,945) 25,220 (9,737) 2.9
34 ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Namibia 824,292 (318,261) 823,290 (317,870) 1,002 (387) 0.1
35 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Mozambique 799,380 (308,640) 786,380 (303,620) 13,000 (5,000) 1.6
36 ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Tรผrkiye 783,562 (302,535) 769,632 (297,156) 13,930 (5,378) 1.8
37 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Chile 756,102 (291,932) 743,812 (287,187) 12,290 (4,745) 1.6
38 ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฒ Zambia 752,612 (290,585) 743,390 (287,020) 9,220 (3,560) 1.2
39 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฒ Myanmar 676,578 (261,228) 653,508 (252,321) 23,070 (8,907) 3.4
40 ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ซ Afghanistan 652,864 (252,072) 652,230 (251,830) 630 (240) 0.1
41 ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ธ South Sudan 644,329 (248,777)
42 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 643,801 (248,573) 640,427 (247,270) 3,374 (1,303) 0.5
43 ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ด Somalia 637,657 (246,201) 627,340 (242,220) 10,320 (3,985) 1.6
44 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ซ Central African Republic 622,984 (240,535) 622,984 (240,535) 0 0
45 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Ukraine 603,550 (233,030) 579,330 (223,680) 24,220 (9,351) 4.0
46 ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Madagascar 587,041 (226,658) 581,540 (224,530) 5,501 (2,124) 0.9
47 ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ผ Botswana 582,000 (225,000) 566,730 (218,820) 15,000 (5,800) 2.6
48 ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช Kenya 580,367 (224,081) 569,140 (219,750) 11,227 (4,335) 1.9
โ€“ ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France (metropolitan) 551,500 (212,900) 549,970 (212,350) 1,530 (591) 0.3
49 ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ Thailand 513,120 (198,120) 510,890 (197,260) 2,230 (861) 0.4
50 ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain 505,370 (195,120) 498,980 (192,660) 6,390 (2,470) 1.3

Area Definitions

Total Area

Total Area represents the aggregate of a country's land area and its internal water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, within its internationally recognized boundaries and coastlines. This metric provides the most comprehensive measure of a nation's geographical footprint.

Land Area

Land Area specifically quantifies the terrestrial surface of a country, excluding all inland water bodies. It focuses solely on the solid ground within the nation's borders, offering a measure of usable or inhabitable territory.

Water Area

Water Area accounts for the surface area of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, situated within a country's boundaries. It also includes coastal internal waters. This metric highlights the presence and extent of freshwater resources and navigable waterways.

Geographical Insights

Significance of Water Percentage

The percentage of water area within a country's total area can offer insights into its geography, climate, and resource distribution. Nations with extensive coastlines, numerous large lakes, or significant river systems often exhibit higher water area percentages. This factor can influence economic activities such as fishing, transportation, and tourism, as well as ecological diversity.

Scale and Proportion

Comparing the land area to the total area reveals the proportion of water bodies within a nation's territory. For instance, countries like Canada and Finland, known for their numerous lakes, show a higher percentage of water area compared to largely arid nations. This data underscores the diverse geographical characteristics across the globe.

Data Provenance

Methodological Basis

The data presented herein is compiled from authoritative sources, primarily the United Nations Statistics Division for total area figures and the Food and Agriculture Organization for land and water area breakdowns. The CIA World Factbook is utilized for cross-verification and to resolve any data discrepancies, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the geographical measurements.

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References

References

  1.  Includes disputed territories claimed by India but not under Indian control.
  2.  Largest landlocked country. Transcontinental country located in Asia and Europe.
  3.  Excludes the Ilemi Triangle (14,000 km2). Data are from the CIA.
  4.  Transcontinental country located in Asia and Africa. Data are from the CIA.
  5.  Excludes claims in Guyanaรขย€ย“Venezuela territorial dispute (160,000 km2). Data are from the CIA.
  6.  Data are from the CIA. Transcontinental country located in Asia and Europe.
  7.  Excludes claims in Antarctica. Data are from the CIA.
  8.  Data are from the CIA. Includes the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
  9.  Data are from the CIA. The UN Statistics department gives a figure of 591,958 km2 which may include part of Lake Victoria.
  10.  Metropolitan France (the part of France located in Europe). Data are from the CIA.
  11.  Data by the World Factbook.[21]
  12.  Data are from the CIA. The UN figure of 435,052 km2 excludes the three autonomous provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan.
  13.  Includes รƒย…land (1,552 km2). Data are from the CIA.
  14.  Data are from the CIA. Largest landlocked country in Europe.
  15.  Includes the parts of the Golan Heights (1,295 km2) occupied by Israel.
  16.  Somaliland is claimed in whole by Somalia.[26]
  17.  Data are from the CIA. The UN Statistics division gives an area of 94,552 km2 which may exclude parts of Lake Malawi considered integral by some definitions.
  18.  Data are from the CIA. The UN FAO gives land and water figures of 121041 km2 and 589 km2, respectively.
  19.  Data are from the CIA. Largest country in the Balkans by continental area within the Balkans.
  20.  Largest country in the Caucasus. Transcontinental country located in Asia and Europe.
  21.  The figure shown includes the area of Transnistria (4,163 km2), which is de facto independent from Moldova.
  22.  Excludes claim on Adรƒยฉlie Land in Antarctica. Data are from the CIA.
  23.  Data are from the CIA. The UN figure of 1,969 km2 excludes the Agalรƒยฉga Islands and Saint Brandon (Cargados Carajos).
  24.  Data are from the CIA. The UN figure of 726 km2 excludes 84 km2 of uninhabited islands.
  25.  Data are from official statistics.[44]
  26.  European microstate. Smallest European Union member state.
  27.  Smallest country in the Americas and the Western Hemisphere.
  28.  Smallest island country, and smallest country that is not a city-state.
A full list of references for this article are available at the List of countries and dependencies by area Wikipedia page

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