Damon Mcknight
Australia is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world, spanning approximately 7.6 million square kilometres. Five countries are bigger than Australia, including Russia, which is the largest country globally, covering 17 million square kilometres. Canada, China, the United States, and Brazil are also larger than Australia, with Canada being 29% bigger and China spanning nearly 2 million square kilometres more than Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australia's rank among the world's largest countries | 6th |
| Australia's land area | 7.6 million km² |
| Countries bigger than Australia | Russia, Canada, China, the USA, Brazil |
| Russia's land area | 17 million km² |
| Canada's land area | 9.98 million km² |
| China's land area | 9.6-9.98 million km² |
| USA's land area | 9.3-9.8 million km² |
| Brazil's land area | Unknown, but bigger than Australia's |
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What You'll Learn
Russia is the largest country
Russia, officially known as the Russian Federation, is the largest country in the world. It has a total area of 17,098,242 km² (6,601,665 mi²) and a land area of 16,376,870 km² (6,323,142 mi²). This accounts for 11% of the world's total landmass. Russia spans eleven time zones and shares land borders with fourteen countries.
Russia is a highly urbanised country, with sixteen urban areas having more than 1 million inhabitants. Moscow, the country's capital and largest city, is the most populous metropolitan area in Europe. Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city and a cultural centre. The country is home to over 100,000 rivers and has one of the world's largest surface water resources. Its lakes contain approximately one-quarter of the world's liquid freshwater, with Lake Baikal being the largest and most prominent freshwater body in the country.
Russia's gigantic size encompasses diverse ecosystems, including polar deserts, tundra, forest tundra, taiga, mixed and broadleaf forests, forest steppe, steppe, semi-desert, and subtropics. About half of Russia's territory is forested, and it boasts the world's largest forest area. The country's biodiversity includes a wide range of plant and fungi species, with approximately 12,500 species of vascular plants and 20,000 to 25,000 species of fungi.
Russia's climate varies significantly, with great ranges of temperature. The coldest month is typically January, while July is the warmest. Summers can be quite hot, even in Siberia. Climate change has impacted Russia, leading to more frequent wildfires and the thawing of permafrost. The country's vast landmass spans different climate zones, resulting in a dominant humid continental climate, except in the tundra and extreme southwest regions.
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China is bigger than Australia
Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres or 7,741,220 square kilometres, depending on the source. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the smallest continental land mass. Although Australia is large, China is bigger.
China is the world's fourth-largest country by area, after Russia, Canada, and the US. However, some sources rank China as the second-largest country in the world by land area, ahead of the US. This is because China's total area excludes its coastal and territorial waters, whereas the US total area includes these. China's territorial waters are unknown and not officially published, so it is unclear which of the two countries is larger when these waters are included in the calculation.
China covers approximately 9,596,960 square kilometres, which makes it 24% larger than Australia. China is the largest country entirely in Asia, while Australia is the largest country in Oceania.
Both Australia and China are large countries, but China is bigger in terms of area. China's population is also significantly larger than Australia's, with 1.4 billion more people living in China. These size and population differences result in varied geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic characteristics between the two nations.
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Canada surpasses Australia by 29%
Canada, a country renowned for its vast geographical expanse, surpasses Australia in terms of land area by a significant margin. When it comes to sheer size, Canada emerges as the clear winner, covering approximately 9,984,670 square kilometers, which equates to a substantial 29% more territory than Australia. To put this into perspective, imagine Australia, already a large continent-country, and then add almost a third more land; that is the difference between these two nations. This percentage translates to over 2.2 million square kilometers, an area larger than the entire country of Mexico.
Delving into specific territorial dimensions, Australia spans a total area of 7,692,024 square kilometers, encompassing its mainland and various territories, including Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. In contrast, Canada boasts a formidable landmass, stretching across 9,984,670 square kilometers. This expanse includes the country's ten provinces and three territories, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean.
The disparity in size becomes even more evident when comparing the two countries' ranks in terms of land area. Canada proudly secures second place among the largest countries globally, falling just behind Russia, which reigns as the most expansive. Australia, while still impressive, ranks sixth, trailing behind not only Canada but also China, the United States, and Brazil.
This notable difference in size between the two countries has profound implications on various aspects, from geography and climate to population distribution and cultural diversity. Canada's larger landmass contributes to a greater variety of landscapes, ranging from majestic mountains and sprawling forests to vast tundra and arctic regions. The country's northern expanse endows it with an extensive coastline along the Arctic Ocean, a unique feature that sets it apart from Australia.
The population distribution across these two nations also differs markedly due to their varying land areas. Canada, with its larger territory, boasts a more dispersed population, with a significant portion of its citizens residing in urban centers close to the southern border with the United States. Australia, despite its smaller size, has a relatively lower population density, with its inhabitants concentrated along the more temperate coastal regions, leaving vast expanses of its interior sparsely populated or uninhabited.
In summary, the substantial 29% land area advantage that Canada holds over Australia translates to noticeable differences in geography, climate, and human geography. These variations contribute to the unique character and identity of each nation, shaping not only their physical landscapes but also the cultural tapestry woven by their respective populations.
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The US is the fourth-largest
Australia is known for its vastness, covering an area of about 7.6 million square kilometres. It is the smallest continent and the sixth-largest country in the world. In contrast, the United States, the fourth-largest nation, covers over 9.8 million square kilometres.
The United States is slightly larger than Australia, with a difference of about 2.2 million square kilometres. The US is home to a diverse range of landscapes, from the towering mountains of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada to the expansive plains of the Midwest and the deserts of the Southwest. It encompasses famous landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and the Great Lakes.
The US has a varied climate, with hot summers and cold winters in the north, a mild Mediterranean climate on the west coast, and a humid subtropical climate in the southeast. The country's geography ranges from dense urban centres like New York City and Los Angeles to vast rural areas and national parks.
In terms of population, the US is also more populous than Australia. As of 2023, the US population is estimated to be around 333 million, while Australia's population is approximately 26 million. This makes the US the third-most populous country in the world, after China and India.
The US is a culturally diverse nation, with people of various ethnicities, religions, and cultural backgrounds. The country has a strong influence on global politics, economics, and culture, with a highly developed economy and a high standard of living for many of its citizens.
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Australia is the smallest continent
The "island continent" is divided into six states and two territories, each with its unique charm, culture, and geographical features. The largest state, Western Australia, covers roughly 2.6 million square kilometres, encompassing everything from arid deserts to fertile wine regions. Australia is ecologically unique, with distinct flora and fauna shaped by millennia of geographic isolation and ancient geology, resulting in a rugged and biodiverse landscape.
Australia's sheer size is astonishing, with its vast landscapes and global isolation. Its low relief and aridity characterise much of its surface, and its variety of environments showcase its expansiveness. From the Outback to its pristine shores, Australia offers a sense of liberation and adventure.
Despite being the smallest continent, Australia is significantly larger than many countries, including Germany, and is closest in size to the contiguous United States, though slightly smaller. Australia's vastness extends beyond its physical dimensions, with an intangible freedom that draws people from all corners of the globe to this incredible continent down under.
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Frequently asked questions
Five countries are bigger than Australia.
Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning 17 million square kilometres.
Australia covers an area of about 7.6 million square kilometres.
The contiguous United States is closest in size to Australia, though the U.S. is slightly larger.
Brazil is the largest country in South America.
