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What are the World's Biggest Countries?

L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn
L. S. Wynn

According to the CIA World Factbook, the total surface area of the earth is 510,072,000 square kilometers (196,939,900 square miles). Of this, 70.8% is water and 29.2% is land. The chart below organizes the top 25 countries in terms of size, starting with the biggest, Russia. Though it's not a self-governing country, as a reference point, Antarctica is about 14,000,000 square km (5,405,430 square miles).

Note that the sizes depict total area, which includes the land and water within each country's borders. Greenland, although an overseas administrative division of Denmark, is included here because it is self-governing.

country sq. km sq. miles size
Russia 17,098,242 6,601,668 Size of Russia
Canada 9,984,670 3,855,102 Size of Canada
United States 9,826,675 3,794,100 Size of United States
China 9,596,961 3,705,407 Size of China
Brazil 8,514,877 3,287,612 Size of Brazil
Australia 7,741,220 2,988,901 Size of Australia
India 3,287,263 1,269,219 Size of India
Argentina 2,780,400 1,073,518 Size of Argentina
Kazakhstan 2,724,900 1,052,089 Size of Kazakhstan
Algeria 2,381,741 919,595 Size of Algeria
D.R. Congo 2,344,858 905,355 Size of Democratic Republic of Congo
Greenland 2,166,086 836,330 Size of Greenland
Saudi Arabia 2,149,690 830,000 Size of Saudi Arabia
Mexico 1,964,375 758,449 Size of Mexico
Indonesia 1,904,569 735,358 Size of Indonesia
Sudan 1,861,484 718,723 Size of Sudan
Libya 1,759,540 679,362 Size of Libya
Iran 1,648,195 636,371 Size of Iran
Mongolia 1,564,116 603,908 Size of Mongolia
Peru 1,285,216 496,224 Size of Peru
Chad 1,284,000 495,755 Size of Chad
Niger 1,267,000 489,191 Size of Niger
Angola 1,246,700 481,353 Size of Angola
Mali 1,240,192 478,840 Size of Mali
South Africa 1,219,090 470,693 Size of South Africa
country sq. km sq. miles size

Discussion Comments

anon140027

This is accurate.

anon111075

Nepal is in south central Asia. this is the country having a highest peak in the whole world. Mt Everest and beside that this is the country where buddha was born. one of the historical place where we can find all naturally gifted things. there is no other country like nepal.

anon101021

The size of Antarctica, is that including the ice on the ocean or not?

anon78896

Why can't I see Nepal?

anon73999

Has anyone heard of Greenland effect? It might help with the Greenland references.

anon72451

what are the top three biggest countries in the world?

anon66935

where is france, spain? this is so wrong get your facts right!

anon66864

they are right. I've seen in the map. greenland is really big.

anon62964

How the heck is antarctica the second biggest country when its not even a country?

this is wrong. antarctica is a continent with no countries in it!

anon60869

that list can't be right. greenland a massive country? just look at a map!

anon44279

how is greenland not bigger than D.R Congo?

that makes no sense.

anon40006

Well let's settle this argument Gentlemen! If Russia is in Europe and it has it's own borders then it is the biggest country!

anon38446

Why is nigeria not listed in this article, among the biggest nations?

anon9431

evchef -- That is not accurate, since Russia is the largest one in Europe. Despite the fact that the biggest part of it's territory is situated in Asia, its capital - Moscow is in Europe and therefore it's counted as european Country. If you compare only pure european territory, again Denmark is not the biggest, because Greenland (physiographically) is associated with North America, and again Ukraine is the biggest. I am writing this because I had a similar dispute with a colleague of mine...

evchef

Actually, since Greenland (Grøndland) is part of Denmark, it is therefore a part of Europe (Europa) and Scandinavia (Scandinavien). That should make Denmark the biggest country in Europe.

Dayton

According to my cursory research, the three largest countries in Europe (since the split up of the USSR) are the Ukraine, followed by France and Spain. I was surprised...

anon577

what are the three biggest countries in europe?

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    • A map including Russia, the world's largest country.
      By: Moustyk
      A map including Russia, the world's largest country.
    • Mexico has a land area of 758,449 square miles making it the 14th largest country in the world.
      By: Stocksnapper
      Mexico has a land area of 758,449 square miles making it the 14th largest country in the world.
    • Canada is the second largest country in the world with nearly 10 million square kilometers.
      By: Anna
      Canada is the second largest country in the world with nearly 10 million square kilometers.
    • With a land area of more than 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil is the fifth biggest country in the globe.
      By: Bastos
      With a land area of more than 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil is the fifth biggest country in the globe.
    • India's is the seventh largest country in the world.
      By: Tupungato
      India's is the seventh largest country in the world.
    • Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world.
      By: byheaven
      Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world.
    • Greenland covers more than 836,000 square miles.
      By: mady70
      Greenland covers more than 836,000 square miles.