World’s Ten Largest Countries by Land Area — Top 10 Countries by Territorial Size

Introduction

According to World Bank statistics, the world’s total land area is approximately 134.5 million square kilometers, accounting for about 29.2% of the Earth’s surface. So, which country is the largest in the world by land area? This article compiles a list of the top ten largest countries by territory, with Russia ranking first at 17.098 million square kilometers, followed by China, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Algeria. Let’s delve into the details of these ten largest countries together!

World’s Ten Largest Countries by Land Area

1. Russia — 17.10 million km²
2. China — 9.60 million km²*
3. Canada — 9.98 million km²
4. United States — 9.37 million km²
5. Brazil — 8.52 million km²
6. Australia — 7.69 million km²
7. India — 2.98 million km²
8. Argentina — 2.78 million km²
9. Kazakhstan — 2.72 million km²
10. Algeria — 2.38 million km²

World’s Ten Largest Countries by Land Area — An Overview​

​​1. Russia — 17.10 million km²​​

The Russian Federation, commonly known as Russia, is a federal semi-presidential republic comprising 22 autonomous republics, 46 oblasts, 9 krais, 4 autonomous okrugs, 1 autonomous oblast, and 3 federal cities. Spanning both Europe and Asia, Russia covers 17,098,246 km² (excluding the Crimean Peninsula), accounting for 12.7% of the world’s land area, making it the largest country by territory. Its European and Asian portions are the largest in their respective continents. However, 60% of Russia’s land is permafrost, 22% is marshland, and 4% is covered by rivers and lakes. When seasonal flood zones, mountains, and glaciers are included, approximately 85% of the territory is unsuitable for human settlement.

​​2. China — 9.60 million km²​​

The People’s Republic of China, located in East Asia along the western Pacific Ocean, has a territory spanning approximately 5,200 km from east to west and 5,500 km from north to south. According to the “2023 Standard Map” released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the country’s land area is 9.60 million km², making it the second-largest country in the world and the largest in Asia.

​​3. Canada — 9.98 million km²​​

Canada, situated in northern North America, features a landscape that slopes from west to east. With a total area of 9,984,670 km², it accounts for 7.3% of the world’s land area and is the largest country in North America and the second-largest globally. Canada borders the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Arctic Ocean to the north, with a coastline of 202,080 km—one of the longest in the world. About half of Canada’s territory lies near the Arctic Circle, characterized by permafrost and harsh conditions unsuitable for human habitation.

​​4. United States — 9.37 million km²​​

The United States is a federal republic consisting of 50 states, Washington D.C., and multiple overseas territories. Its mainland is located in central North America. According to data published by the CIA between 1982 and 1996, the U.S. land area is 9.37 million km² (including inland waters). However, the United Nations reports a larger figure of 9.83 million km², which includes the Great Lakes region (170,000 km²), coastal waters, and 200,000 km² of territorial sea.

​​5. Brazil — 8.52 million km²​​

Brazil, the largest country in South America, comprises 26 states and one federal district. Its territory spans 8,515,770 km², accounting for 6.3% of the world’s land area. About one-third of Brazil is covered by dense forests, primarily within the Amazon Basin. The Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest in the world, is characterized by humid climates, heavy rainfall, poor soil quality, and widespread diseases, making it sparsely populated.

​​6. Australia — 7.69 million km²​​

Australia, located between the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, is the only country that occupies an entire continent. With an area of 7,688,094 km², it is the sixth-largest country globally. Its terrain includes eastern highlands, central plains, and western plateaus. Approximately 70% of the land is arid or semi-arid, with deserts covering 20% of the central region. Most of the population lives in humid coastal areas, particularly in the southeast.

​​7. India — 2.98 million km²​​

India, situated in South Asia, is the largest country on the Indian subcontinent. It has a coastline of 7,516 km and is a multi-ethnic nation. India’s land area is approximately 2.98 million km² (excluding disputed territories), making it the second-largest country in Asia. The United Nations reports a larger figure of 3.29 million km² when including all claimed areas.

​​8. Argentina — 2.78 million km²​​

Argentina, located in southeastern South America, is a federal presidential republic consisting of 23 provinces and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires. Its territory spans 2,780,400 km² (excluding the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and Antarctic claims). It is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest globally. The Andes Mountains cover 30% of the west, the Pampas grasslands account for 30% of the central region, the Patagonian Plateau covers 26% of the south, and the Chaco Plain makes up 14% of the north.

​​9. Kazakhstan — 2.72 million km²​​

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, is situated in Central Asia. It borders Russia to the north, China to the east, and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan to the south. With an area of 2,724,902 km², it accounts for 2% of the world’s land area. The terrain is predominantly flat and low-lying, sloping from southeast to northwest. The Caspian Sea coast lies 28 meters below sea level, with the Karagiye Basin sinking to 132 meters below sea level.

​​10. Algeria — 2.38 million km²​​

Algeria, located in North Africa, has a coastline of 1,200 km and a total area of 2,381,741 km². It is the largest country in Africa, the Mediterranean region, and the Arab world. The Sahara Desert covers over 2 million km² (85%) of its territory, characterized by extreme heat, minimal rainfall, and frequent sandstorms, making it one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth.