
Siberia is a massive geographical region in Russia, covering more than 5 million square miles or 13.1 million square kilometres. It occupies the northern region of Asia and makes up more than three-quarters of Russia's landmass. In contrast, Australia, the sixth-largest country globally, spans 7,688,287 square kilometres, accounting for just five percent of the world's land area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | Siberia: 13.1 million km² Australia: 7.7 million km² |
| Landmass | Siberia: Approximately 1/10th of Russia's total land area Australia: World's smallest continent |
| Population | Siberia: ~40 million Australia: ~25.7 million |
| Countries | Siberia: Part of Russia Australia: Sovereign country |
| Geography | Siberia: Largely a vast, flat plain with some mountain ranges Australia: Mostly low-lying with mountainous regions |
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What You'll Learn

Siberia is bigger than Australia
Siberia, a region in Russia, is bigger than Australia. Covering more than 5 million square miles, or 13.1 million square kilometres, Siberia makes up over three-quarters of Russia. It stretches from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and its size exceeds that of Brazil and Mexico combined.
In contrast, Australia spans 7,688,287 square kilometres, accounting for just five percent of the world's land area. While Australia is the smallest continental land mass, it is considered the largest island in the world.
The vast size of Siberia presents a challenge for human colonisation due to its harsh climate and extreme temperatures. The region has a marked continental climate, with very cold winters and short summers. The northeastern part of Siberia experiences the coldest temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as low as -68 degrees Celsius.
Despite its large size, Siberia is sparsely populated, with a population density of only seven people per square mile. Approximately 36 million people live in this Russian region, which is home to nearly 45 different ethnic groups, including Russians, Finno-Ugrians, Turco-Tatars, and Indigenous groups such as the Yakuts and Tuvans.
In summary, Siberia, with its impressive size of over 5 million square miles, is significantly larger than Australia. Its vast expanse, diverse natural resources, and unique cultural and historical significance make it a remarkable region within Russia.
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Siberia's size: 5 million square miles
Siberia, a region of Russia, is a vast geographical area that covers more than 5 million square miles or 13.1 million square kilometres. It stretches from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east, encompassing all of North Asia. This makes up around three-quarters of Russia's land area and almost 9% of Earth's land surface. To put it into perspective, Siberia is one-third larger than the United States and one-fourth larger than Canada.
With a size exceeding that of Brazil combined with Mexico, Siberia is a sparsely populated region with a population density of only 7 people per square mile. Approximately 36 million people live in Siberia, which is about a quarter of Russia's population. The region is known for its harsh winters and short summers, especially in the towns towards the north.
Siberia is home to 13 large rivers, numerous lakes, and one of the largest forest areas globally, the Siberian taiga. It also boasts the deepest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal, which holds about one-fifth of the Earth's freshwater supply. The lake is home to thousands of unique species of plants, fish, and animals found nowhere else.
In terms of natural resources, Siberia is incredibly rich, with some of the world's largest deposits of nickel, gold, lead, coal, molybdenum, gypsum, diamonds, silver, and zinc. The region also has extensive unexploited resources of oil and natural gas, with around 70% of Russia's developed oil fields located in the Khanty-Mansiysk region.
Compared to Australia, Siberia is significantly larger. Australia, the planet's sixth-largest country, spans 7,688,287 square kilometres, accounting for just 5% of the world's land area. While Australia is the smallest continental land mass, it is considered the largest island on Earth.
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Australia's size: 7,688,287 sq km
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, covering an area of 7,688,287 square kilometres. This accounts for just five per cent of the world's land area, and although Australia is the smallest continental land mass, it is the largest island in the world.
In comparison, Siberia, a region of Russia, covers 4.9 million to 5.1 million square miles (12.8 million to 13.1 million square kilometres). This makes Siberia larger than Australia. In fact, Siberia is so big that it occupies more than three-quarters of Russia's land and is one-third larger than the United States.
To put it into perspective, Siberia's size exceeds that of Brazil and Mexico combined. It stretches from the Ural Mountains in the west over 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometres) to the Pacific Ocean in the east, and it has borders with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China.
Despite its vast size, Siberia is sparsely populated, with a population density of only seven people per square mile (compared to the USA's 92). This is due in part to the harsh climate, with extremely cold winters and short summers.
In contrast, Australia has a total population of approximately 26 million people, with a population density of 3.2 people per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
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Siberia's population: 36 million
Siberia, a region in Russia, is approximately 13.1 million square kilometres, which is almost twice the size of Australia. To put it into perspective, Siberia is so vast that it accounts for over 77% of Russia's total land area. Despite its immense size, Siberia is relatively sparsely populated, with a population of around 36 million people. This means that Siberia has a population density of about three people per square kilometre.
The population of Siberia is predominantly urban, with the majority of people living in the southern regions, where the climate is more moderate. The largest city in Siberia is Novosibirsk, which is also the third-most populous city in Russia. Novosibirsk serves as the region's cultural, economic, and transportation centre and has a population of over 1.6 million people. Other major cities in Siberia include Krasnoyarsk, Omsk, and Barnaul.
The population distribution in Siberia is heavily skewed towards the urban centres, with the vast rural areas being sparsely populated. This is due in part to the extreme climate, with long and harsh winters, which makes much of the land unsuitable for human habitation or agricultural use. Large areas of Siberia are covered by forests, swamps, and tundra, further limiting potential settlement areas.
The population of Siberia has a rich cultural diversity, with over 100 different ethnic groups calling the region home. The indigenous peoples of Siberia, such as the Buryats, Khanty, and Nenets, have a long history and unique cultural traditions. However, the Russian population is the majority, with Russian being the dominant language and the culture that predominates in the region today.
Siberia's population has experienced significant fluctuations over the years, including periods of rapid growth and decline. The region has often been seen as a place of exile, with many political prisoners and dissidents being sent to remote areas during the Tsarist and Soviet eras. The harsh climate and remote location made it an ideal place for forced labour camps, which also contributed to the population dynamics.
Today, Siberia's population faces various challenges and opportunities. The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, which has led to the development of industrial centres and attracted workers from other parts of Russia and beyond. However, the remote location and harsh climate still pose logistical challenges and impact the quality of life for many residents.
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Australia is the world's sixth-largest country
The mainland is the world's smallest continent, and the country is the sixth-largest by total area. Australia is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island continent". It has 35,877 kilometres (22,293 miles) of coastline (excluding all offshore islands) and claims an exclusive economic zone of 8,148,250 square kilometres (3,146,060 square miles).
Australia is a megadiverse country, and its size gives it a wide variety of landscapes and climates, including deserts in the interior and tropical rainforests along the coast. The country has a high-income mixed-market economy, with the second-highest amount of wealth per adult in the world, after Luxembourg. Its large service sector accounts for about 71.2% of total GDP, followed by the industrial sector (25.3%), while its agriculture sector makes up 3.6% of total GDP.
In comparison, Siberia, which occupies Northern Asia and stretches for an area of more than 5 million square miles, makes up the Asian part of Russia and occupies more than 3/4 of its land. Approximately 36 million people live in this Russian region, resulting in a population density of only 7 people per square mile.
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Frequently asked questions
Siberia covers an area of 4.9 million square miles or 12.8 million square kilometres. It occupies more than three-quarters of Russia.
Australia covers 7,688,287 square kilometres, accounting for just five percent of the world's land area.
Siberia is bigger than Australia. It covers almost 9% of Earth's land surface.
With approximately 36 million people living in Siberia, the population density is around 7 people per square mile.
Australia has a population density of 3.2 people per square kilometre, or 8.3 people per square mile.












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