The world’s largest nations by geographical area will still influence the economics, environment, and geopolitics of the world in 2024. Russia, which covers 17.1 million square kilometers of Europe and Asia, is at the top. Boasting 9.98 million square kilometers of lakes, tundra, and woods, Canada comes in second. With each country covering more than 9.5 million square kilometers, China and the US come next, striking a balance between urbanization and a variety of natural environments. 

Much of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil, the largest country in South America, which is 8.5 million square kilometers in size. Australia comes in sixth place with its coastal cities and desert hinterland. Due to their strategic resources and size, these countries not only have a large physical footprint but also have an impact on international politics, commerce, and environmental activities.

List of Largest Countries in Terms of Land Area

1. Russia
2. Canada
3. China
4. United States of America
5. Brazil
6. Australia
7. India 
8. Argentina
9. Kazakhstan
10. Algeria

1. Russia

Russia is the biggest nation in the world, with a total land area of almost 17,098,242 million square kilometers. Russia makes up almost 11% of the Earth’s total landmass and is spread across two continents: Europe and Asia. From the rich plains of Europe to the tundra and woods of Siberia, its enormous breadth encompasses a wide variety of landscapes. With large quantities of minerals, natural gas, and oil, the nation is endowed with an abundance of natural resources. Russia’s size gives it access to the Arctic, Europe and Asia, which enhances its geopolitical might. Even though Russia has a vast land area, the majority of its people and economic activity are centered in the western region, close to Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Extreme weather conditions and intricate infrastructural requirements are some of the difficulties that come with its magnitude.

Managing several time zones and building infrastructure in remote places are logistical issues brought on by the country’s immense size. Nonetheless, Russia’s enormous territory gives it considerable geopolitical clout, enabling it to interact with both Europe and Asia and to play a major part in global defense, environmental, and energy markets.

2. Canada

Canada’s land size of 9,984,670 million square kilometers makes it the second biggest country in the world. With a shared southern boundary with the United States and an extension northward into the Arctic Circle, it covers most of North America. With more freshwater resources than any other country, Canada is renowned for its varied topography, which includes mountains, prairies, tundra, enormous forests, and more than two million lakes.

The majority of Canada’s population, despite its vast size, is concentrated near its southern border, especially in major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Despite having abundant natural resources, the northern areas are nevertheless sparsely inhabited because of their severe environment. Petroleum, natural gas, minerals, and lumber are among Canada’s abundant natural resources, which support its robust economy and position as a major participant in the world energy markets.

Because of its size and easy access to the Arctic, Canada has sway over issues pertaining to climate change, Arctic sovereignty, and northern maritime routes. However, there are constant difficulties in sustaining infrastructure in isolated areas and striking a balance between resource development and environmental protection. Canada is well-known for its multiculturalism, political stability, and environmental care. Its enormous geography is essential to its identity and worldwide significance.

3. China

At over 9,706,961 million square kilometers, China is the third biggest country in the world by land area. Russia, India, and Mongolia are among the 14 nations that border this East Asian nation. With areas like the Gobi Desert, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers influencing its environment and culture, China has a wide and varied topography that encompasses mountains, deserts, plateaus, plains, and river basins.

This geographic variety supports the production of crops like wheat, rice, and corn and adds to China’s enormous agricultural output. Its abundant natural resources, which support its quick industrial growth, include coal, natural gas, and rare earth elements. Major cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing are situated in the eastern and coastal areas, which have a higher population density than the western regions.

Due to its enormous size, China leads the world in infrastructure projects, such as building highways, railroads, and energy networks that link far-flung regions. Its closeness to the Himalayas and the South China Sea adds to its strategic significance. However, there are difficulties in administering such a large territory, including regional inequities and environmental damage. China’s size and wealth solidify its standing as a major political and economic force in the world.

4. United States of America

The United States is the fourth biggest country in the world by land area, at around 9,372,610 million square kilometers. Its territory is spread over North America, sharing boundaries with Mexico to the south and Canada to the north. The United States is a geographically diversified country that includes plains, mountains, deserts, woods, and coastal areas. The Grand Canyon, the Great Plains, the Mississippi River, and the Rocky Mountains are important geographical features.

A wide range of climates are supported by the nation’s large land area, from tropical temperatures in Hawaii and Florida to cold conditions in Alaska. This diversity, which yields products like maize, wheat, soybeans, and fruits, adds to the agricultural power of the United States. The United States is also a world leader in energy due to its abundance of natural resources, which include coal, oil, and natural gas.

On both the East and West Coasts, the majority of Americans live in metropolitan regions, with major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago acting as economic centers. With a vital naval presence in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, its vast territory enables it to exert military, economic, and diplomatic influence on a global scale. The nation’s inventiveness and infrastructure also demonstrate its capacity to oversee a large and complicated terrain.

5. Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest country in the world, with a total area of over 8,515,767 million square kilometers. Its proximity to all South American nations—with the exception of Chile and Ecuador—highlights its pivotal position in the geography and economy of the continent. With its Amazon rainforest, Pantanal wetlands, arid regions, and coastal beaches, Brazil is renowned for its diverse terrain. Maintaining biodiversity and controlling the global temperature are two important functions of the Amazon Basin, the biggest rainforest in the world.

The nation is a global leader in agriculture due to its vast area, producing meat, sugarcane, coffee, and soybeans. Its substantial natural resources, including gold, petroleum, and iron ore, support its industrial base and energy exports. Much of Brazil’s interior, particularly the Amazon area, is still lightly inhabited, while the bulk of people live in cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília along the country’s southeast coast.

6. Australia

Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world by land area, at over 7,692,024 million square kilometers. Australia, the only nation to occupy a whole continent, is renowned for its distinctive topography, which includes savannas, tropical rainforests, dry deserts, and coastal plains. Due to its severe, arid climate, much of the interior, known as the Outback, is sparsely inhabited, while the majority of Australians reside in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane along the eastern and southeastern coastlines.

A vast range of climates, from tropical in the north to moderate in the south, are supported by Australia’s vast land area. In addition, it is home to a remarkable diversity of animals, such as koalas and kangaroos, which are unique to our planet. The world’s biggest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is located on the northeastern coast; nevertheless, climate change is posing environmental problems to it.

Natural resources such as coal, gold, natural gas, and iron ore are abundant in Australia and are essential to its exports and economy. Managing such a large area is difficult, particularly when it comes to environmental sustainability and water supplies. Due to its size and advantageous position, Australia has a significant impact on regional politics, especially in the Asia-Pacific area.

7. India

India, with a geographical size of over 3,287,590 million square kilometers, is the seventh biggest country in the world. Sharing borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, it is situated in South Asia. India has a very varied topography that includes plateaus, deserts, plains, mountains, and coastal areas. While the rich Gangetic Plains sustain intense agriculture, the northern Himalayas serve as a natural barrier. The Deccan Plateau rules the southern portion of the nation, while the western region is dominated by the Thar Desert.

India’s vast territory provides for a diverse range of climates, from the harsh winters in the northern Himalayas to the monsoons in the south. Because of its diversity, India is able to grow important crops like rice, wheat, cotton, and spices, which makes it one of the world’s leading producers of agricultural products. In addition, the nation’s wealth in coal, petroleum, and minerals supports its expanding economy.

Even though India is one of the world’s largest countries, the majority of its people live in both urban and rural locations. Cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai are centers of culture and the economy. India has significant significance in international trade and geopolitics due to its vast area, but it also poses problems in terms of infrastructure, handling resources, and environmental sustainability.

8. Argentina

The second biggest country in South America and the eighth largest in the globe, Argentina occupies an area of over 2,780,400 million square kilometers. It borders nations including Chile, Brazil, and Bolivia and extends from the Andes Mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. Argentina’s terrain, which includes mountain ranges, deserts, glaciers, and expansive plains known as the Pampas, is incredibly varied. While the northern Iguazu Falls is home to tropical jungles, the southern Patagonia area is renowned for its untamed landscape and chilly environment.

Argentina’s economy depends heavily on the lush Pampas area, which supports cattle ranching and agriculture. The nation is among the top producers of wine, wheat, soybeans, and cattle worldwide. Argentina is also important in the energy and mineral industries due to its abundance of natural resources, including lithium, natural gas, and oil.

The majority of people in Argentina live in cities, with Buenos Aires serving as the country’s economic, political, and cultural center. But it’s still difficult to maintain infrastructure across such a large area. Argentina’s size and advantageous position allow it to have a significant impact on global environmental projects, particularly those pertaining to resource management in the Antarctic and Patagonian areas and regional commerce through Mercosur.

9. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan occupies an area of over 2,724,900 million square kilometers, making it the ninth biggest country in the world by land area. A landlocked country in Central Asia, it has borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. Steppes, deserts, mountains, and important bodies of water like the Caspian Sea and Lake Balkhash are among the many different landscapes that make up this enormous region.

The majority of Kazakhstan’s land is flat or moderately undulating, with sizable steppes that sustain cattle and crops. The nation is a major player in the world energy markets because of its abundance of natural resources, which include coal, natural gas, oil, and minerals. These resources, together with agricultural production, especially that of grain and animals, contribute to its economy.

The majority of Kazakhstan’s population is concentrated in metropolitan areas like Almaty and the capital, Astana (Nur-Sultan), despite the country’s vast size. Especially in dry areas, managing its enormous territory poses difficulties for environmental sustainability and infrastructural development. Due to its size and advantageous location along the Silk Road, which links Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan is a major actor in regional politics and trade.

10. Algeria

Algeria is the largest nation in Africa and the 10th largest in the world, with a total area of over 2,381,741 million sq km. Libya, Tunisia, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Morocco are its neighbors. It is situated in North Africa and has a Mediterranean coastline to the north. The Sahara Desert, which makes up almost four-fifths of Algeria’s enormous geographical area, as well as terrain like the Atlas Mountains and lush coastal plains, are among the country’s many landscapes.

The majority of people reside in the more temperate northern areas, especially in towns like Constantine, Oran, and the capital, Algiers, even though the Sahara is home to distinctive ecosystems and civilizations. Due to its abundance of natural resources, including large oil and gas reserves, Algeria is one of Africa’s top producers and exporters of energy.

Due to its dependence on hydrocarbons, Algeria is vulnerable to changes in international markets, which makes it difficult to diversify its economy and build infrastructure despite its size. The nation’s strategic location increases its geopolitical relevance, especially in relation to commerce and migration routes across the Mediterranean. Algeria is a prominent actor in African and Arab politics, in part because of its diverse landscapes and rich cultural legacy.

Conclusion

The nations with the greatest land areas in the world are important players in international commerce, geopolitical, and environmental conservation. Leading the pack are countries with sizable territories that add to their strategic significance, such as China, Canada, and Russia. From minerals and oil to rich terrain for agriculture, these nations have an abundance of natural resources that support their economy and worldwide power.

However, there are particular difficulties in managing such large land expanses, such as the need to construct infrastructure, maintain a sustainable environment, and address regional differences in population distribution. For example, despite their abundant biodiversity and stunning natural settings, Brazil and Australia have challenges related to water management and deforestation. High population densities make resource management and urban planning more difficult in nations like the US and India.

FAQs

Which Country is the Largest in the World?

Russia is by far the largest country, with an area of about 17 million square kilometers.

Which Country Will Hold the Greatest Power in 2025?

China and the United States are the two most powerful nations in the world, and the US is predicted to continue to hold this position for the ten years to come.

Which Country Will Have the Highest Income in 2030?

Although China’s economy has grown rapidly over the last few decades, it appears that things have changed after COVID-19. In fact, many people believe that China will have the largest economy in the world by 2030.

Which Nation is the Seventh Largest in the World in Terms of Land Area?

India is 3,287,590 square kilometers in size. On the Asian continent, India is the second biggest country and the seventh largest overall.

What is the Name of the Nation that Spans Two Continents?

Some nations are located on two continents, yet the majority only possess one. Russia, which is both European and Asian, is the most famous example.