How California’S Size Compares To Countries Around The World

California is world-famous for its diverse landscape, booming tech industry, and laidback lifestyle. But have you ever stopped to think about just how massive the Golden State is? With over 163,000 square miles of land, California takes up a huge chunk of the United States’ western coastline. In this article, we’ll explore how California’s size stacks up against countries around the globe. You may be surprised to learn just how large California is on a global scale!

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: With 163,696 square miles of total area, California is larger than 137 of the world’s 195 countries. It’s bigger than Japan, Germany, Italy and the entire United Kingdom combined.

California Ranks 34th in the World by Total Area

California comes in at 34th in the world if you rank all 195 countries by total area, which includes land area and inland water bodies.

When it comes to size, California holds its own on the global stage. With a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 square kilometers), California is larger than many countries around the world.

In fact, if you were to rank all 195 countries by their total area, California would come in at a respectable 34th position.

It’s important to note that the total area includes both land area and inland water bodies. This means that California’s ranking takes into account its vast coastline along the Pacific Ocean, as well as the numerous lakes and reservoirs within its borders.

To put into perspective just how significant California’s size is, consider the fact that it surpasses the area of each of the 33 countries ahead of it on the list. This includes countries like Italy, the United Kingdom, Nepal, North Korea, and many others.

To give you a better understanding of the scale, here are a few examples of countries that fall below California in terms of total area:

  • Italy: With a total area of approximately 116,350 square miles (301,340 square kilometers), Italy is smaller than California.
  • United Kingdom: The United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has a total area of around 93,628 square miles (242,500 square kilometers), making it smaller than California.
  • Nepal: Despite its majestic Himalayan peaks, Nepal’s total area is around 56,956 square miles (147,516 square kilometers), making it significantly smaller than California.
  • North Korea: North Korea, with a total area of approximately 46,541 square miles (120,538 square kilometers), is also smaller than California.

These examples highlight just a few of the countries that are surpassed by California in terms of total area. It goes to show the vast expanse of the Golden State and its significant presence on the global map.

For more information on the total area of countries around the world, you can visit Worldometers which provides comprehensive data on various geographical aspects.

California’s Land Area Alone Would Rank 59th Globally

Looking just at land area, without counting inland water bodies, California would rank 59th in the world at 163,696 square miles.

When it comes to sheer size, California holds its own on the global stage. If we were to consider California as an independent country, its land area alone would rank 59th in the world. Spanning an impressive 163,696 square miles, the Golden State is larger than many nations that we often think of as significant players on the world stage.

To put it into perspective, California’s land area is larger than the total land areas of 137 independent countries. This includes countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy, the entire United Kingdom, Vietnam, and many more.

It’s truly remarkable to think that a single state within the United States could overshadow the land area of so many nations.

With its diverse landscapes, from the stunning coastline to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, California’s land area is home to a wide range of natural wonders. From the iconic beaches of Southern California to the towering redwoods in the north, the state offers a wealth of geographical diversity within its borders.

It’s worth noting that these figures consider only the land area and exclude inland water bodies such as lakes and rivers. When we take into account the entire area of California, including water bodies, the state’s size becomes even more impressive.

The comparison of California’s land area with other countries serves as a reminder of the vastness and diversity of our world. It’s easy to take for granted the immense size of certain regions, but when we put them side by side, the differences become apparent.

So, the next time you find yourself driving along California’s scenic highways or exploring its national parks, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you’re traversing a land area that surpasses the size of numerous independent nations.

California truly stands out not only as a state but also as a geographical powerhouse on the global stage.

California is Larger than Many Major Countries Combined

When it comes to size, California stands out as one of the largest states in the United States, but its massive size becomes even clearer when you realize it’s larger than many major countries even when they’re combined together.

Japan and Germany

For example, let’s take a look at the total land area of Japan and Germany. Japan covers an area of 145,936 square miles, while Germany spans 137,847 square miles. When you add up these two countries, their combined area is still smaller than California’s vast expanse of 163,696 square miles.

Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands

But it doesn’t stop there. If we consider the land areas of Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands combined, we still fall short of California’s size. Italy covers 116,348 square miles, the United Kingdom spans 93,628 square miles, Ireland occupies 32,595 square miles, Switzerland covers 15,937 square miles, and the Netherlands stretches across 16,485 square miles.

In total, their combined area is smaller than the Golden State.

These comparisons highlight the sheer magnitude of California’s size. Its land area is so vast that it exceeds the combined land areas of countries known for their rich history, stunning landscapes, and bustling cities.

For more information on the land areas of countries around the world, you can visit Worldometers.info.

Just How Much Bigger is California Than Other Places?

California is known for its size and vast landscapes, but just how big is it compared to other places around the world? To truly visualize California’s size, let’s take a look at how it directly compares to some major land masses:

California is larger than the ENTIRE New England region of the U.S. (71,992 sq mi).

To put it into perspective, California is bigger than the combined area of all six New England states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. With a total land area of 71,992 square miles, California surpasses the entire New England region in size.

It’s more than double the size of the state of Illinois (57,914 sq mi).

California’s vastness becomes even more apparent when comparing it to individual states. For instance, it’s more than double the size of Illinois, which is already a sizable state in its own right. With an area of 57,914 square miles, Illinois pales in comparison to the sheer size of California.

California is over 3 times larger than Wales (8,023 sq mi).

When looking beyond the United States, California’s size stands out when compared to countries. Take Wales, for example, a country in the United Kingdom. With an area of 8,023 square miles, California is more than three times larger than Wales.

It’s no wonder that California is often referred to as a “land of extremes.”

It dwarfs major European countries like Greece (50,949 sq mi) and Hungary (35,919 sq mi).

California’s size is not limited to just individual states or small countries. Even when compared to major European countries like Greece and Hungary, California is still significantly larger. Greece, with an area of 50,949 square miles, and Hungary, with an area of 35,919 square miles, both pale in comparison to the vastness of California.

California is way bigger than the island of Great Britain (80,823 sq mi).

Perhaps the most astonishing comparison is with the island of Great Britain itself. With a land area of 80,823 square miles, California is even bigger than this entire island nation. It’s a testament to the immense size and diversity of the Golden State.

So, the next time you think about California, remember just how much bigger it is than other places. Its vastness is truly awe-inspiring, and it’s no wonder that the state can offer such a wide range of experiences and landscapes.

What Accounts for California’s Massive Size?

There are a few key factors that contribute to California’s substantial heft:

– It stretches for over 1,000 miles from north to south, allowing it to cover a huge swath of the western U.S. coast. This expansive length makes California one of the longest states in the country. In fact, if California were a country, it would be the 59th largest in the world in terms of land area.

Its extensive coastline also plays a role in its size, with beautiful beaches stretching for hundreds of miles.

– California captures a diverse range of geographic features, from dense forests to vast deserts. The state boasts the tallest trees on Earth in the famous Redwood National and State Parks, as well as stunning mountain ranges such as the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range.

Additionally, California is home to the expansive Mojave Desert, which covers a significant portion of the state’s land area. This diverse collection of landscapes contributes to California’s overall size and makes it a fascinating place to explore.

– Sparsely populated areas take up a lot of space that would be filled in more densely populated parts of the world. While California is the most populous state in the United States, with over 39 million residents, it also has vast stretches of sparsely populated areas.

This includes remote regions such as the Mojave Desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. These less populated areas contribute to the state’s size, as they cover a significant amount of land without the density of urban areas.

This balance of densely and sparsely populated regions gives California its unique size and character.

Conclusion

In the end, California earns its reputation for having seemingly endless horizons and diverse landscapes. Very few places in the world can match its immense scale and variety of terrain within a single state or province. Sure, many individual countries are larger but California holds its own as a giant among giants when it comes to total land area on a global scale. Its enormous size is a testament to the abundance and spirit of opportunity that have made California into both an economic powerhouse and vibrant melting pot of cultures.

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