Ranking 25 World’s Countries by Geographical Size: From Largest to Smallest

Spanning across continents, the world is home to 195 countries, each with its unique geographical makeup. Some of these countries are vast and occupy immense land masses, while others are small island nations with limited territory. In this article, we will rank the world’s countries based on their geographical size, from the largest to the smallest. Our focus will be on the total land area each country occupies, including both the mainland and any outlying islands within their territory.

1. Russia – 17,098,242 km² Russia is the largest country in the world, occupying about 11% of the Earth’s landmass. Stretching from Eastern Europe to northern Asia, it spans 11 time zones and borders 14 countries. The vastness of Russia’s territory is evident in its diverse landscapes, which include the Arctic tundra, the Siberian taiga, and the Central Asian steppes.
2. Canada – 9,984,670 km² The second-largest country in the world, Canada, covers an area almost as large as the entire continent of Europe. It comprises ten provinces and three territories, with its landmass including vast forests, the Rocky Mountains, and the Arctic Archipelago.
3. China – 9,596,961 km² China is the third-largest country in the world and the most populous, with over 1.4 billion inhabitants. Its territory ranges from the Taklamakan Desert and the Tibetan Plateau in the west to the densely populated eastern coastal plains.
4. United States – 9,525,067 km² The United States is the fourth-largest country in the world, occupying land from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Its diverse landscapes include the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Plains, and the arid deserts of the Southwest.
5. Brazil – 8,515,767 km² As the largest country in South America, Brazil covers nearly half of the continent. Its diverse ecosystems include the Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal wetlands, and the tropical savannahs of the Cerrado.
6. Australia – 7,692,024 km² Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country and the smallest continent. Its unique landscapes include vast deserts, tropical rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system on Earth.
7. India – 3,287,263 km² India is the seventh-largest country in the world, covering a diverse range of landscapes, from the towering Himalayas in the north to the tropical forests of the south. India is also the second-most populous country globally, with over 1.3 billion inhabitants.
8. Argentina – 2,780,400 km² Argentina, the eighth-largest country globally, is located in South America and features diverse landscapes such as the Andes Mountains, the Pampas grasslands, and the Iguazu Falls.
9. Kazakhstan – 2,724,900 km² As the world’s ninth-largest country, Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Its vast territory includes deserts, steppes, and the mountainous regions near the Chinese border.
10. Algeria – 2,381,741 km² Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the tenth-largest in the world. Its landscapes range from the arid Sahara Desert in the south to the fertile Mediterranean coastline in the north.
11. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 2,344,858 km² The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), located in Central Africa, is the eleventh-largest country in the world. With a land area of 2,344,858 square kilometers, it is also the second-largest country in Africa, trailing only Algeria. The DRC is rich in natural resources and boasts an array of diverse landscapes, including dense tropical rainforests, savannas, and swamps.
12. Greenland (Kingdom of Denmark) – 2,166,086 km² Greenland, the world’s largest island, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It is located in the Arctic region and is primarily covered by a massive ice sheet. Its sparse population is primarily concentrated along the ice-free coastal areas.
13. Saudi Arabia – 2,149,690 km² Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East, occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. The country is predominantly arid, with vast deserts such as the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) and the Najd plateau. The Kingdom is the world’s leading oil exporter and holds a significant role in the global economy.
14. Mexico – 1,964,375 km² Mexico is the fourteenth-largest country in the world and the third-largest in the Americas. Its diverse geography ranges from the arid deserts of the north to the tropical rainforests of the south. Mexico is also home to the Sierra Madre mountain range and extensive coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
15. Indonesia – 1,904,569 km² Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, making it the world’s largest island country. It is the fifteenth-largest country in the world, with diverse ecosystems that include tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and volcanic islands. Indonesia is situated between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and is part of the Ring of Fire, a region prone to volcanic activity and earthquakes.
16. Sudan – 1,861,484 km² Sudan, located in Northeast Africa, is the sixteenth-largest country in the world. Its landscapes include the arid Sahara Desert, the fertile Nile Valley, and the swampy regions of the Sudd wetland. Following South Sudan’s independence in 2011, Sudan’s land area was significantly reduced, but it remains one of the largest countries in Africa.
17. Libya – 1,759,540 km² Libya, the seventeenth-largest country in the world, is located in North Africa along the Mediterranean Sea. Its vast territory comprises the arid Sahara Desert, the rocky Green Mountain range, and a narrow coastal plain. Libya is rich in oil reserves, which play a crucial role in its economy.
18. Iran – 1,648,195 km² Iran, the eighteenth-largest country in the world, is situated in Western Asia. Its diverse geography includes the Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, the central Iranian Plateau, and coastal plains along the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Iran has a rich cultural history that dates back thousands of years.
19. Mongolia – 1,564,110 km² Mongolia, the nineteenth-largest country in the world, is a landlocked nation in East and Central Asia. Its landscape is characterized by vast steppes, the Gobi Desert, and the Altai Mountains. Mongolia has a small population, making it one of the least densely populated countries globally.
20. Peru – 1,285,216 km² Peru is the twentieth-largest country in the world, located on the western coast of South America.
21. Chad – 1,284,000 km² Chad, the 21st-largest country in the world, is situated in North-Central Africa. Its vast territory encompasses various landscapes, including the Sahara Desert in the north, the Sahel belt in the central region, and the more fertile Sudanian Savanna in the south. Lake Chad, the country’s namesake, serves as a vital water source for the surrounding region.
22. Niger – 1,267,000 km² Niger, the 22nd-largest country in the world, is located in West Africa. Its land area is predominantly covered by the Sahara Desert, with the more fertile Niger River Valley to the southwest. The country’s diverse landscape also includes the Air Mountains and the vast Ténéré Desert.
23. Angola – 1,246,700 km² Angola, the 23rd-largest country in the world, is situated on the southwest coast of Africa. Its geography features a range of landscapes, from the arid Namib Desert to the fertile highlands and tropical rainforests. Angola also boasts an extensive Atlantic coastline, which is home to a rich variety of marine life.
24. Mali – 1,240,192 km² Mali, ranking as the 24th-largest country in the world, is a landlocked nation in West Africa. Its territory consists of the arid Sahara Desert in the north, the Sahel region in the center, and the Niger River Valley in the south. The country’s rich cultural history includes the ancient city of Timbuktu, a significant center of Islamic scholarship in the 14th and 15th centuries.
25. South Africa – 1,221,037 km² South Africa, the 25th-largest country in the world, is located at the southern tip of the African continent. Its diverse geography includes the arid Kalahari Desert, the lush Garden Route, and the towering Drakensberg mountain range. South Africa is also known for its abundant wildlife, which can be found in national parks such as Kruger National Park, and its rich cultural heritage, encompassing various ethnic groups and historical periods.