The title of the largest country in the world belongs to Russia. Spanning across two continents, Europe and Asia, Russia boasts a total area of 17,098,242 square kilometers (6,601,665 square miles). This vast expanse makes up approximately 11% of the Earth’s entire landmass, highlighting its significant scale on the global map.
To put this into perspective, Russia’s land area alone covers 16,376,870 square kilometers (6,323,142 square miles). This immense territory encompasses diverse landscapes, from frozen arctic tundra and vast forests to sprawling plains and towering mountain ranges.
While Russia claims the top spot, several other countries also occupy substantial portions of the world’s land. Canada comes in second, with a total area of 9,984,670 square kilometers, followed closely by China at 9,706,961 square kilometers, and the United States at 9,372,610 square kilometers. Brazil, rounding out the top five, covers 8,515,767 square kilometers.
It’s important to note that these figures represent the total area, including both land and water bodies such as lakes and rivers. When considering only land area, the rankings remain largely consistent, reaffirming Russia’s dominance in terms of sheer size.
Understanding the size of countries like Russia provides valuable context in geography, geopolitics, and environmental studies. The sheer scale of these nations often correlates with diverse ecosystems, significant natural resources, and varied cultural landscapes.
In conclusion, Russia stands as the undisputed largest country in the world by area, a testament to its geographical magnitude and influence on the global stage. Its vast territory encompasses a significant portion of the world’s landmass, dwarfing even other large nations.
| # | Country | Total Area (Km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 17,098,242 |
| 2 | Canada | 9,984,670 |
| 3 | China | 9,706,961 |
| 4 | United States | 9,372,610 |
| 5 | Brazil | 8,515,767 |
