17 Biggest Countries on Earth—Ranked by Sheer Size!
When it comes to sheer size, the world’s biggest countries dominate the globe with vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and remarkable features that leave us in awe. But have you ever wondered just how sprawling some of these nations are?
From arctic tundras and dense rainforests to sprawling deserts and towering mountain ranges, these countries showcase a stunning variety of geographical wonders. They not only hold significant portions of the Earth’s landmass but also encapsulate unique cultures, resources, and histories within their borders.
Let’s explore the 17 largest nations on Earth by total area.. Who do you think takes the crown? (Hint: It’s big enough to stretch across 11 time zones!)
Russia – 17,098,242 km²
The world cannot deny Russia’s position as the most significant entity on planet Earth because its territory extends nearly twice as much as the second-largest nation. The 17th largest nation occupies Eastern Europe while extending to northern Asia, It overlaps 11 time zones across its vast and varied landscapes that transition from tundras to massive forests to steppes and mountain ranges.
One complete continent could fit inside the single boreal forest area known as the Siberian Taiga. Russia contains the world’s Lake Baikal, which tops the charts as the oldest and deepest freshwater lake and possesses approximately 20% of Earth’s unfrozen freshwater resources.
Fun fact: The land area of Russia exceeds the combined surface dimensions of Pluto. Yes, it’s that enormous!
Canada – 9,984,670 km²
Canada is a diverse country with a majestic landscape of hundreds of lakes. This nation is the world’s second-largest country despite having most of its land region unoccupied. It contains picturesque natural landscapes between the Rocky Mountains and the globally recognized Niagara Falls.
The Canadian Encyclopedia states that Canada retains 14% of all global freshwater reservoirs in its remarkable lakes. Another remarkable feature? Year-round ice covers every inch of the Arctic Archipelago’s northern islands, thus creating a landscape that matches Antarctica’s uniqueness.
United States – 9,833,517 km²
The United States expands from Pacific Coast beaches to the heartland of the Great Plains, showcasing absolute territorial diversity. As the world’s third-largest country, it extends from snow-capped Alaska to heat-broken Arizona deserts.
The Grand Canyon at Yellowstone National Park represents only two locations within the memorable geography of this region. Although much smaller than Canada, the U.S. has a significantly larger population of 347,276,000 people as of January 2025, spread across 50 states, according to a report by World Population Review.
The northern region of Alaska takes up 17% of the United States ‘total land area, making it the largest state by an overwhelming margin.
China – 9,596,960 km²
The massive size of China comes close to the U.S. territory while far surpassing all countries in population. Among its Asian territory lies the Gobi Desert and the Himalayan mountains, together with the fertile landscapes of the Yangtze River basin.
The geographical features unite to sustain a continuous civilization for thousands of years. Mount Everest emerges from Chinese soil because it stands as Earth’s highest summit above sea level. UNESCO reports that China boasts more than 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most in the world, underscoring the richness of its culture and environment.
Brazil – 8,515,767 km²
Brazil is the energetic center of South America because it occupies 50% of the continent. The principal highlight of Brazil is the Amazon Rainforest, where scientists have documented one-quarter of all species worldwide.
Brazil stands out for its tropical richness because the Amazon River cuts through its extensive territory. Because of the destination’s verdant beauty, nature enthusiasts should add the Pantanal wetland regions and Iguazu Falls to their Brazilian travel list.
Australia – 7,692,024 km²
Australia features three distinct natural landscapes, ranging from its deserts to its beaches and concluding with its outback regions. The most extensive continental mass in the world spans vast areas in Australia, where people can discover natural treasures, including the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru.
The country’s vast territory hosts its populous residents mainly in coastal urban centers. The distinctive wildlife of kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas exists in Australia because 70% of the country belongs to arid and semi-arid desert classifications.
As you prepare for your extensive journey, the immense interior demands head protection and skin safety.
India – 3,287,263 km²
India has gained worldwide recognition for its second position in the Earth’s population table while maintaining its distinctive geographical wonders. India exhibits extensive earth landscapes that mirror its 1.4 billion residents, equally spread across its northern mountain peaks and southern Goa beaches.
The mighty Ganges River, central to India’s culture and economy, flows through fertile valleys. Also worth mentioning? The Rajasthan region contains the arid Thar Desert, while the Western Ghats maintain their green lushness. India’s wide range of habitats transforms the nation into a limitless area for exploration.
Argentina – 2,780,400 km²
The continental mix in Argentina brings together the Andes peak range with the lowland plains of Patagonia. Spanning position eight among global nations, the country portrays terrific wilderness that features glacial lakes and the celebrated Iguazu Falls that it shares with Brazil.
The nation of Argentina creates a unique geographical divide because its northern parts exist in subtropical weather, whereas its southern parts remain Antarctic cold. National Geographic confirms that Argentina is home to Aconcagua, the highest mountain peak (22,000 feet) in the Western Hemisphere.
Kazakhstan – 2,724,900 km²
Kazakhstan maintains an under-the-radar profile, yet it changes the record books by being the world’s biggest landlocked nation. The territory encompasses expansive steppes, deserts, and Altai Mountain sections.
The world’s oldest space launch facility, Baikonur Cosmodrome, is located in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is unique because its Western parts fall within European borders, transforming it into a transcontinental state.
Algeria – 2,381,741 km²
As Africa’s largest nation, Algeria experiences desert dominance since the Sahara Desert controls 90% of its surface area. The northern region of the Tell Atlas stands out by providing ideal agricultural grounds. The cultural legacy of Roman ruins situated at Timgad gives Algeria equal prominence to its immense size.
What makes this North African country truly splendid is its complete Mediterranean coastline, which stands alongside its other attractions.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – 2,344,858 km²
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s second-largest country and the world’s eleventh-largest country. Its 100 million residents rank among the top regional populations.
The DRC maintains a large territory yet remains challenged by political turbulence, violent conflict, and widespread poverty. The country has substantial economic potential because its diverse natural features include dense forests alongside rivers and mountains.
Saudi Arabia (2,149,690 km²)
Spanning over 2.1 million square kilometers, Saudi Arabia boasts vast deserts, including the Rub al Khali, the world’s largest continuous sand desert, as recognized by UNESCO. The arid, flat desert regions transform into the Saudi Arabian seas, characterized by their stunning red coastlines and vibrant coral reefs.
It holds both historical significance and natural appeal above everything else. It achieves its oppositions between its historic heritage destination, Mada’in Saleh, alongside its futuristic development, NEOM, that creates a picturesque tension between ancient and modern sites.
Sudan – 1,861,484 km²
Sudan possesses a great cultural legacy of ancient societies, including both Kushites and Nubians, throughout its northeastern territory. When British rule over the territory ended in 1956, Sudan underwent internal wars that led South Sudan to become an independent nation in 2011.
Sudan has over 50 million citizens, comprising various ethnic communities with diverse cultural backgrounds. Agriculture is the leading economic force in Sudan, while cotton is the country’s primary export commodity. Recent oil discoveries continue transforming the economic prosperity of this nation.
Iran (1,648,195 km²)
Iran spans 1.64 million square kilometers and showcases multiple geographical regions. The country has two wide desert regions, including the Great Salt Desert designated as ‘Dasht-e Kavir’ and the rocky desert area named ‘Dasht-e Lut’, which experiences extreme temperatures.
Iran possesses two distinct sides because its southern coast stretches along the Caspian Sea, and the northern heights of the Alborz Mountains add lavish greenery to the scene. The country’s history demonstrates equal wealth through its UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including Persepolis.
The world recognizes Iran for its oil deposits, yet the historical qanat tunnel system demonstrates exceptional water management mastery in this region, a testament to centuries-old expertise. Iran’s extensive size makes most of its territory unlivable due to harsh climatic conditions throughout this vast land.
Mongolia (1,564,116 km²)
Mongolia showcases three major features of wind-swept steppes, arid deserts, and breathtaking mountain ranges, which make up its terrain. Known as the “Land of the Eternal Blue Sky,” it boasts over 250 sunny days annually.
Visitors come to admire the Gobi Desert because it displays magnificent dunes and preserves ancient dinosaur bones within its boundaries. One distinct quality of Mongolia is its extensive culture, which includes three out of ten people who practice this timeless way of life.
The capital, Ulaanbaatar, showcases an intriguing blend of modernity and tradition. Its sparse population numbers make Mongolia a dream destination for anyone who wants profound seclusion beneath breathtaking natural sights.
Peru (1,285,216 km²)
Peru’s geographic terrain extends much wider than the celebrated Andes Mountains and Machu Picchu site since the country possesses diverse regions. The country’s 1.28 million square kilometers holds the second-largest section of the Amazon Rainforest and faces the Pacific Ocean.
Peru also boasts a rich diversity, as its cultural practices complement its colorful topography. Massive populations of indigenous peoples persist in their lands to protect ancient heritage traditions and linguistic knowledge.
Visitors can witness the captivating myths surrounding Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake that supports vessel navigation.
Chad (1,284,000 km²)
The African land of Chad covers millions of kilometers and includes arid northern regions and wet southern plains. Millions depend on Lake Chad for water resources, while its dwindling size has transformed it into a vital biodiversity area.
The UNESCO-recognized Ennedi Plateau features strange rock formations and historical petroglyphs engraved onto its cliff faces. Chad’s large size functions as a cultural intersection because the nation has more than 120 different ethnic groups. Travelers find Chad’s remote location to be a powerful draw.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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