Size matters.

A country’s total area affects how people live, where they settle, what they eat, and how they govern. Some nations are all terrain and no people. Others cram enormous populations into tight spaces, pushing infrastructure and resources to the limit.

Large countries often span climate zones, time zones, and ecosystems. With more land comes more complexity. There are longer borders to defend, more resources to manage, and bigger challenges moving people and goods. Geography shapes power, identity, and opportunity.

Here are the world’s 15 largest countries and how they use their size.

Rank	Country	Total Area (mi²)	Total Area (Km²)	Land Area (mi²)	Land Area (Km²)	Population
1	Russia	6,601,665	17,098,242	6,323,142	16,376,870	144,444,359
2	Canada	3,855,101	9,984,670	3,511,022	9,093,510	40,528,396
3	China	3,747,877	9,706,961	3,624,807	9,388,211	1,425,671,352
4	United States	3,618,783	9,372,610	3,531,837	9,147,420	339,996,563
5	Brazil	3,287,955	8,515,767	3,227,095	8,358,140	216,422,446
6	Australia	2,969,906	7,692,024	2,966,151	7,682,300	26,439,111
7	India	1,269,345	3,287,590	1,147,955	2,973,190	1,428,627,663
8	Argentina	1,073,518	2,780,400	1,056,641	2,736,690	46,234,830
9	Kazakhstan	1,052,089	2,724,900	1,042,360	2,699,700	19,606,633
10	Algeria	919,595	2,381,741	919,595	2,381,740	45,606,480
11	DR Congo	905,354	2,344,858	875,313	2,267,050	102,262,808
12	Greenland	836,330	2,166,086	158,476	410,450	56,609
13	Saudi Arabia	830,000	2,149,690	830,000	2,149,690	36,947,025
14	Mexico	758,449	1,964,375	750,563	1,943,950	128,455,567
15	Indonesia	735,358	1,904,569	699,451	1,811,570	277,534,122

The 15 Largest Countries in the World by Total Area

1. Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world by a wide margin, spanning across eleven time zones. Its massive landmass includes tundra, taiga, mountains, plains, and semi-desert.

Much of Siberia is remote and frozen for much of the year, with permafrost and sparse settlement. Yet the country’s size grants it immense natural resources: oil, gas, timber, and minerals. Large portions remain underdeveloped due to harsh climate and limited infrastructure.

Russia’s size presents logistical challenges for transportation, communication, and defense. Its area includes parts of both Europe and Asia, giving it a unique transcontinental identity. From the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea, Russia’s geography plays a central role in global geopolitics.

2. Canada

Canada is the second-largest country on Earth, but most of its population hugs the U.S. border. Vast stretches of wilderness dominate the north including dense forests, glacial lakes, and tundra. The country contains more lakes than any other nation, including some of the largest. Arctic territory makes up a major portion of its land, including thousands of uninhabited islands.

Canada’s landmass supports mining, forestry, and hydroelectric power. The large area also brings extreme climate variation, from temperate rainforests in British Columbia to icy plateaus in Nunavut. Most of the country remains sparsely populated, with some regions accessible only by air. Its sheer size is a key part of its national identity and economic power.

3. China

China is vast and diverse, covering deserts, grasslands, mountains, and tropical zones. The western half is dominated by high-altitude terrain like the Tibetan Plateau and Taklamakan Desert. In contrast, the east is home to fertile river basins and megacities.

Despite its massive population, much of China’s area is lightly populated due to geography. Its size supports a range of climates, from subarctic in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The country borders 14 nations, more than any other country, which adds to its geopolitical complexity.

China’s landmass underpins its agricultural base, mineral wealth, and military positioning. Its area is central to its role as a global superpower.

4. United States

The United States ranks fourth in size, with geographic variety that spans nearly every major biome. The contiguous U.S. includes everything from deserts and plains to forests and mountain ranges. Alaska alone accounts for over 17% of the country’s area and holds massive reserves of oil and wilderness. Hawaii adds tropical ecosystems and volcanic islands to the national profile.

The country’s vast land area supports rich natural resources, industrial development, and a strong agricultural sector. Climate zones range from arctic to subtropical. With wide open spaces and developed infrastructure, land use varies sharply between dense urban centers and expansive rural areas. Its size has shaped its history, economy, and cultural regionalism.

5. Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America and contains most of the Amazon rainforest. Nearly 60% of the Amazon basin lies within its borders. The country’s interior is a mix of dense forest, savannah, and wetlands.

Brazil’s size makes it one of the most biodiverse nations in the world. However, vast portions remain undeveloped or sparsely inhabited, especially in the north. The southeast holds the majority of the population and economic activity.

Brazil’s landmass supports major agricultural exports like soybeans, beef, and sugar. Its geography poses challenges for conservation, infrastructure, and regional equality.

6. Australia

Australia is both a country and a continent, with most of its population concentrated along the coasts. The interior—called the Outback—is arid, flat, and sparsely populated. This vast desert and semi-desert region defines much of Australia’s land area. Coastal regions are more fertile and temperate, supporting agriculture and urban development.

Australia’s isolation has led to unique flora and fauna, many found nowhere else. Its large area contributes to a wide range of climates, from tropical in the north to temperate in the south. Despite its size, much of the land is uninhabitable or used for cattle grazing and mining. Australia’s geography plays a major role in its identity, economy, and environmental concerns.

7. India

India is the seventh-largest country, but unlike others on this list, it has a dense population throughout most of its territory. Its land area stretches from the Himalayan mountains in the north to coastal plains and tropical forests in the south. This geographic diversity supports varied agriculture and regional cultures.

India’s rivers, especially the Ganges and Brahmaputra, are crucial for farming and religion. The Thar Desert occupies the northwest, while the northeast is mountainous and heavily forested.

Despite its size, India has little unoccupied land, making resource management and urban planning critical. The country’s area supports one of the most complex and layered societies on the planet. Its geography plays a foundational role in its agricultural base, population dynamics, and regional diversity.

8. Argentina

Argentina stretches from subtropical wetlands in the north to subpolar tundra in the south. The Andes form a towering western border, while the Pampas grasslands dominate the central region. These fertile plains support cattle and grain production, which are key exports. Patagonia, in the south, is rugged, sparsely populated, and rich in natural beauty.

Argentina’s long north-south span results in diverse climates and landscapes. Much of the country’s land remains lightly inhabited, with large rural stretches. Its size allows for both industrial agriculture and protected wilderness. Argentina’s geography is vital to its economy, tourism, and natural heritage.

9. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world. It consists mostly of steppe, desert, and semi-desert. The land is flat and dry, with little forest cover. The country holds significant mineral and oil reserves, especially in the western region. Its sparse population is spread across vast distances, with few large cities.

Kazakhstan’s size and location give it strategic importance in Central Asia. The Aral Sea, once one of the world’s largest lakes, lies within its borders but has mostly dried up. The country’s landmass makes infrastructure, development, and regional connectivity difficult but strategically important.

10. Algeria

Algeria is Africa’s largest country, with over 80% of its land covered by the Sahara Desert. The population is heavily concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, where the climate is milder. The interior is arid and mostly uninhabited, dominated by sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and dry mountains. Despite this, Algeria holds large reserves of oil and natural gas beneath its desert floor.

The country’s size gives it geopolitical importance in North Africa and the Sahel. Managing resources across such vast and harsh terrain presents logistical challenges. Its land area includes both African and Mediterranean influences, giving it a unique cultural and ecological profile.

11. Democratic Republic of the Congo

The DRC is the second-largest country in Africa and home to much of the Congo Basin rainforest. Its interior is dense jungle, rich in biodiversity and natural resources like cobalt, copper, and diamonds. The terrain is rugged and difficult to access, with poor transportation infrastructure. Much of the land is undeveloped, and conflict has hindered its economic potential. Despite vast mineral wealth, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Corruption, violence, and weak institutions have kept most of the population in poverty.

The Congo River is central to transport and trade in the region. The country’s vast area includes mountains, savannahs, swamps, and forest. While rich in natural wealth, the DRC’s size contributes to governance and logistical difficulties. Its geography both enriches and challenges the nation’s future.

12. Greenland

Greenland is the world’s largest island and an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Over 80% of its land is covered by an ice sheet. The coastline is rugged and deeply fjorded, with small settlements clustered around ice-free areas.

Despite its large area, the population is only about 56,000. Most of the interior is uninhabitable due to permanent ice cover. Greenland’s size makes it central to climate science, as its ice sheet plays a key role in sea level rise. Mineral deposits and melting ice have also raised geopolitical interest. Its landmass holds both ecological importance and strategic value.

13. Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia dominates the Arabian Peninsula, with much of its land covered by desert. The Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world. The population is centered around coastal cities like Jeddah and Riyadh, with vast desert interiors remaining empty. Its size includes extensive oil fields, making it a global energy powerhouse.

Harsh conditions limit agriculture and settlement, but the government has invested heavily in desert infrastructure. The landmass gives the country control over large stretches of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Geography and resources have shaped its global influence and domestic development.

14. Mexico

Mexico stretches from arid deserts in the north to tropical forests in the south. Its landmass includes mountain ranges, coastal plains, high plateaus, and volcanic belts. This geographic diversity supports varied agriculture, ecosystems, and weather. The northern region is sparsely populated, while the central plateau and southern coastlines are densely settled.

Mexico’s area allows for both industrial development and natural conservation. It has long coastlines on both the Pacific and Atlantic, which support trade and tourism. The Sierra Madre mountains split the country and shape its internal connectivity. Mexico’s size underpins its economic diversity and regional influence.

15. Indonesia

Indonesia is the only country on this list that is entirely made up of islands—over 17,000 of them. Its total area includes both land and water, with several major islands like Sumatra, Java, Borneo (shared), Sulawesi, and New Guinea (shared). The land is volcanic, mountainous, and prone to natural disasters. The population is concentrated on Java, one of the most densely populated islands in the world.

Indonesia’s size supports massive biodiversity, second only to Brazil. Its scattered geography makes infrastructure and governance complex. The country’s area gives it control over vital maritime routes and strategic sea lanes.