Determining the largest country in the world can be complex, considering factors like population and land area. In this article, we will explore the most populous and expansive countries, shedding light on their unique characteristics and global significance.
The Most Populous Countries:
1. India: The Population Giant With a staggering 1.426 billion inhabitants, India proudly holds the title of the most populated country globally.
2. China: A Close Second China is a close second in population, with 1.425 billion people. It ranks as the world’s most populous country along with India.
3. United States: Population and Size The United States ranks third in both population and land area. It encompasses a vast expanse of 9,831,500 km².
30 Most Populated Countries:
- India: 1,425.8 million
- China: 1,425.7 million
- United States: 333.3 million
- Indonesia: 275.5 million
- Pakistan: 235.8 million
- Nigeria: 218.5 million
- Brazil: 215.3 million
- Bangladesh: 171.2 million
- Russia: 143.6 million
- Mexico: 127.5 million
- Japan: 125.1 million
- Ethiopia: 123.4 million
- Philippines: 115.6 million
- Egypt: 111.0 million
- Congo (Dem. Republic): 99.0 million
- Vietnam: 98.2 million
- Iran: 88.6 million
- Turkey: 85.3 million
- Germany: 84.1 million
- Thailand: 71.7 million
- France: 67.9 million
- United Kingdom: 67.0 million
- Tanzania: 65.5 million
- South Africa: 59.9 million
- Italy: 58.9 million
- Myanmar: 54.2 million
- Kenya: 54.0 million
- Colombia: 51.9 million
- South Korea: 51.6 million
- Spain: 47.6 million
The Largest Countries by Area:
1. Russia: The Vast Expanse Russia dominates the world’s land area, covering a colossal 17,098,300 km². Despite its size, it is home to only 143.6 million people.
2. Canada: A Wilderness Wonderland Canada boasts the second-largest land area at 9,984,700 km², with a population of 38.9 million.
3. United States: Population Density The United States ranks third in both population and land area, with 333.3 million people residing across its 9,831,500 km².
30 Largest Countries by Area:
- Russia: 17,098,300 km²
- Canada: 9,984,700 km²
- United States: 9,831,500 km²
- China: 9,562,900 km²
- Brazil: 8,515,800 km²
- Australia: 7,741,200 km²
- India: 3,287,300 km²
- Argentina: 2,780,400 km²
- Kazakhstan: 2,724,900 km²
- Algeria: 2,381,700 km²
- Congo (Dem. Republic): 2,344,900 km²
- Greenland *: 2,166,000 km²
- Saudi Arabia: 2,149,700 km²
- Mexico: 1,964,400 km²
- Indonesia: 1,913,600 km²
- Sudan: 1,879,400 km²
- Libya: 1,759,500 km²
- Iran: 1,745,200 km²
- Mongolia: 1,564,100 km²
- Peru: 1,285,200 km²
- Chad: 1,284,000 km²
- Niger: 1,267,000 km²
- Angola: 1,246,700 km²
- Mali: 1,240,200 km²
- South Africa: 1,219,100 km²
- Colombia: 1,141,700 km²
- Ethiopia: 1,104,300 km²
- Bolivia: 1,098,600 km²
- Mauritania: 1,030,700 km²
- Egypt: 1,001,500 km²
Noteworthy Observations:
- India and China, both with over a billion inhabitants, collectively represent 36% of the global population, occupying 8% of habitable land.
- Russia, as the largest country, spans over 9,000 km in length and occupies 11% of Earth’s surface, with only 2% of the world’s population.
- Bangladesh stands out with 171 million people in just 147,630 km², highlighting its exceptional population density.
Understanding the world’s largest countries, whether by population or land area, provides valuable insights into their global influence and unique characteristics. While India and China lead in population, Russia stands as the unrivaled giant in terms of land area, showcasing the diversity of our planet’s geography and demographics.