Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia and South Africa are two countries with distinct geographical characteristics. South Africa, with a total surface area of approximately 1,219,090 to 1,221,037 square kilometres, is the 24th largest country in the world and the ninth-biggest in Africa. On the other hand, Australia spans roughly 7,688,287 to 7,741,220 square kilometres, making it six times larger than South Africa and the sixth-largest country globally. This comparison highlights the significant difference in size between the two nations, with Australia being considerably bigger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Surface Area | 7,688,287 sq km |
| Population | 31.4 million |
| Global Rank | Sixth largest country |
| Country | South Africa |
| Surface Area | 1,221,037 sq km |
| Population | 57.5 million |
| Global Rank | 24th largest country |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is the larger country
Australia is not only larger in terms of landmass, but it also likely has a significantly longer coastline. Australia's coastline is long, while South Africa's coastline is just over 2,700 kilometres long. This gives Australia a much greater diversity of landscapes and habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests to vast deserts and pristine beaches.
The population distribution between the two countries is also quite different. South Africa has a population of approximately 57.5 million people, while Australia is home to about 31.4 million people. This means that South Africa is far more densely populated than Australia, which has a sparser distribution of people across its larger land area.
In terms of geographical features, Australia stands out for being the smallest continental land mass while also being the world's largest island. This unique characteristic further emphasizes the significant size difference between Australia and South Africa. Additionally, Australia's lowest point is Lake Eyre, which is 15 metres below sea level, while South Africa's lowest point is Lake Assal, which is 155 metres below sea level.
The vast size of Australia contributes to its diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife. The country is known for its iconic kangaroos, koalas, and diverse bird species. The varied landscapes, including its famous Outback, offer a range of natural wonders and attractions for visitors. Australia's size and geographical attributes play a crucial role in shaping its environmental significance and ecological importance on a global scale.
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South Africa is 24th largest globally
Australia is approximately six times larger than South Africa, which has a total surface area of 1,221,037 square kilometres. South Africa is the 24th largest country in the world. It is the ninth-biggest country in Africa, a region of 55 states, and the fifth-largest country lying entirely in the southern hemisphere.
South Africa is bigger than every country in Europe except Russia, and every US state except Alaska. It is also larger than its BRICS peers, including India, Brazil, and China. However, it is dwarfed by Russia, the world's biggest country, into which South Africa could fit 14 times.
In contrast, Australia is the planet's sixth-largest country, with a land mass of 7,688,287 square kilometres. This accounts for just 5% of the world's land area. Although it is the smallest continental land mass, Australia is the largest island globally.
Despite the significant difference in size, South Africa's population is larger than Australia's, with approximately 57.5 million people compared to Australia's 31.4 million.
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Australia is 535% bigger than South Africa
Australia is approximately 7,692,030 sq km, while South Africa is about 1,221,037 sq km. This means that Australia is around 535% bigger than South Africa, or in other words, South Africa is only 18.7% the size of Australia. To put this into perspective, if South Africa were the size of a standard basketball court, then Australia would be just over five and a half basketball courts in size.
Now, let's break this down a little further. Imagine each country is represented by a grid of equal-sized squares, with each square representing 1% of the country's area. South Africa would have 100 squares, while Australia would have 535. This visual representation highlights the significant difference in size between the two nations.
Another way to understand the vastness of Australia compared to South Africa is to consider their respective land borders. Australia has a land border of 25,760 km, whereas South Africa has a land border of 4,862 km. Again, this shows that Australia is much larger in terms of its territorial boundaries.
The difference in size also becomes apparent when examining the diversity of landscapes and ecosystems each country offers. Australia, being much larger, boasts a wide variety of natural wonders, from the tropical rainforests of Queensland to the arid Outback and the snowy peaks of the Australian Alps. South Africa, while also offering diverse landscapes, has a smaller range due to its more compact size.
Finally, the population distribution and density differ greatly between the two countries. Australia's population of approximately 26 million is spread out across the vast land, resulting in a relatively low population density of 3.4 people per square kilometer. In contrast, South Africa has a population of about 58 million, resulting in a higher population density of 47 people per square kilometer.
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Australia is the world's largest island
Australia is approximately 7,741,220 square kilometres in size, while South Africa is approximately 1,219,090 square kilometres. This makes Australia six times larger than South Africa.
Australia is sometimes referred to as an "island continent", but most geographers consider islands and continents to be separate. According to some definitions, an island is a landmass that is "entirely surrounded by water" and "smaller than a continent". By this definition, Australia cannot be an island because it is already a continent.
Historically, there has been some debate about whether Australia should be considered an island or a continent. In 1813, Samuel Butler referred to Australia as "New Holland, an immense island, which some geographers dignify with the appellation of another continent". However, in the 1950s, the concept of Oceania as a "great division" of the world was replaced by the concept of Australia as a continent.
Today, Australia is widely considered a continent, and Greenland is recognised as the world's largest island. If Australia were considered an island, it would be larger than Greenland. However, given the current understanding of continents and islands, Australia is not the world's largest island.
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South Africa has no natural lakes
Australia is approximately six times larger than South Africa, which is the 24th-largest country in the world and the ninth-biggest country in Africa. Despite its size, South Africa has no significant natural lakes. The country is relatively dry, with an average annual rainfall of about 464 mm. Its water area, including dams and rivers, makes up only 0.38% of its total surface area.
South Africa does, however, have artificial lakes, which are used mainly for crop irrigation. One notable example of an artificial lake in South Africa is the 250-hectare Zeekoeivlei in Cape Town. This lake is located in a densely populated part of the city and is known for its hippos.
While South Africa may not have significant natural lakes, it does have a lake district with around 270 lakes and pans concentrated within a 20-kilometer radius near the town of Chrissiesmeer. Lake Chrissie, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, is part of this district. It is 9 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide and is known for its diverse bird and frog species.
In addition to its artificial and small natural lakes, South Africa also boasts estuarine lake systems. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, is home to Africa's largest estuarine system. The park is a haven for bird and fish species and various mammals, including hippos and antelopes.
So, while it is true that South Africa has no significant natural lakes, the country still offers a diverse range of aquatic ecosystems, from artificial lakes to unique estuarine systems and small natural lakes. These water bodies play an essential role in the country's ecology and support a rich variety of wildlife.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is the largest country out of the two, with a total area of 7,688,287 km2. It is the sixth-largest country in the world and the largest in Oceania. South Africa, on the other hand, has a total surface area of 1,221,037 km2, making it the 24th-largest country in the world.
Australia is both a country and an island. It is considered the world's largest island and is often referred to as the "island continent". The mainland of Australia is also considered the smallest continent in the world.
No, South Africa is the ninth-largest country in Africa. It is dwarfed by countries like Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which are twice its size.
Australia has a low population density of 3.5 inhabitants per square kilometre. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast.
