Massive Lands: Five Countries Larger Than Australia

which 5 countries are larger than australia

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, with a landmass of 7,688,287 square kilometers. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the smallest of all the continental land masses. So, which five countries are larger than Australia? In ascending order, they are: Brazil, China, the United States, Canada, and Russia.

Characteristics Values
Country Russia
Total Area 17,098,242 Km² (6,601,665 mi²)
Land Area 16,376,870 Km² (6,323,142 mi²)
Country Canada
Total Area 9.5-10 million square kilometers
Country United States
Total Area 9.5-10 million square kilometers
Country China
Total Area 9.5-10 million square kilometers
Country Brazil
Total Area 5 million square kilometers

shunculture

Russia is the largest country in the world

Historically, Russia expanded through the conquest and annexation of territories, with ruling families like Ivan the Terrible and Catherine the Great contributing to its extensive borders. Despite its size, Russia's population is relatively small due to its harsh climate, particularly in Siberia and the Far East, where extremely cold winters, short summers, and low temperatures limit habitation and farming.

Russia's large landmass presents logistical challenges for transportation, communication, and defence. Its geography, stretching from the borders of Norway and Finland to a border with North Korea, plays a crucial role in global geopolitics, especially with its proximity to the Black Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

Russia's size and location have shaped its history and continue to influence its role in the current world order. Its expansive territory provides it with a unique transcontinental identity and a strategic position in international affairs.

shunculture

Canada is larger than Australia

Canada is approximately 9,984,670 sq km in size, which is larger than Australia's size of about 7,741,220 sq km. In fact, Australia is the sixth-largest country globally, after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. Canada's size is nearly double that of Australia's, and it has a higher population, with 12 million more people living there.

Canada's vast land area of almost 10 million sq km accounts for a significant portion of the world's total landmass. In contrast, Australia, despite being the smallest continental land mass, is considered the largest island globally. While Canada spans a large geographical area, it has a relatively low population density, with most of its population concentrated in the southern regions, particularly in urban centres close to the Canada-US border.

Australia, on the other hand, has a more evenly distributed population due to its smaller size and less extreme northern regions, which are more habitable. The Australian population is concentrated along the eastern and south-eastern coasts, with the majority of citizens living in urban centres like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

The difference in size between Canada and Australia is evident when comparing their respective territories. Canada's territory includes a large expanse of sparsely populated northern regions, encompassing forests, mountains, and arctic landscapes. In contrast, Australia's territory, while smaller, includes a diverse range of habitats, from tropical rainforests and deserts in the north to temperate forests and coastal regions along the southern and eastern coasts.

Both countries have unique geographical features and a wealth of natural resources due to their size. Canada is known for its vast forests, abundant freshwater resources, and mineral wealth. Australia, meanwhile, boasts a diverse range of ecosystems, from the rugged Outback to the lush rainforests of the northeast, and has significant mineral and natural gas reserves.

shunculture

China is larger than Australia

Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres. It accounts for just five percent of the world's land area and is the smallest continental land mass. However, it is the largest island in the world.

China, on the other hand, is ranked third in terms of size. It covers a total area of 9,596,961 square kilometres, which is almost 2 million square kilometres more than Australia. To put this into perspective, imagine fitting almost three Australias into the landmass of China.

China's vast land area is due in part to its diverse geography, which includes plateaus, plains, basins, and a long coastline. The country is home to the world-renowned Great Wall, which stretches an impressive 13,170 miles across northern China and is a testament to its expansive territory.

In contrast, Australia, while significantly smaller, boasts a unique and varied landscape. The country is known for its rugged Outback, a vast and remote interior with iconic landmarks such as Uluru (Ayers Rock). Australia also has a lengthy coastline, with some of the most famous beaches in the world, including Bondi Beach and the Gold Coast.

Despite their differences in size, both China and Australia are remarkable countries with distinct geographical features that contribute to their global appeal and significance.

shunculture

The US is larger than Australia

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with a total area of 7,688,287 square kilometres. It accounts for just 5% of the world's land area and is the smallest continental land mass. In comparison, the United States is larger than Australia, ranking as the fourth-largest country in the world. While the exact figures vary depending on the source, the lower 48 states of the continental US span approximately 4,668 kilometres from east to west, while Australia spans about 5,030 kilometres from its easternmost to westernmost points.

The US covers a total area of 9,833,517 square kilometres, excluding its territories. This is significantly larger than Australia's land area. The US also has a much larger population than Australia, with the whole of Australia's population being similar to that of the single state of Texas.

When planning travel between the two countries, it is important to consider their vast differences in size and population. A trip from Sydney to Perth in Australia, spanning the country from east to west, is comparable in distance to a trip from New York to Los Angeles in the US. However, due to its smaller population and infrastructure, Australia may not offer the same frequency of transportation options as the US.

The larger size and population of the US can have implications for various aspects, such as travel logistics, infrastructure development, and economic activities. The US's greater land area and higher population density can influence transportation networks, urban development, and resource distribution.

In summary, the US is notably larger than Australia in terms of both geographical extent and population size. This size difference has practical implications for travel planning and infrastructure expectations when visiting Australia. Understanding the relative sizes of countries provides context for their global standing and can offer insights into their unique characteristics and challenges.

shunculture

Brazil is larger than Australia

Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, spanning 7,688,287 square kilometres. It is smaller than Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil. Brazil, therefore, is larger than Australia.

Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, with a total area of 8,515,767 square kilometres. It is almost five times the size of Alaska and only slightly smaller than the USA, which is the fourth-largest country in the world. Brazil occupies almost half of South America and shares borders with every country on the continent except Chile and Ecuador.

Australia, on the other hand, is the smallest continental land mass in the world. It is, however, the world's largest island, and the largest country in Oceania. With a landmass of 7,688,287 square kilometres, Australia accounts for just five percent of the world's total land area.

Brazil and Australia share some similarities, despite their differences in size. Both countries have the southern cross as a national symbol, and both have green and gold as their national colours.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment